We started off today’s meeting with my leading in the Invocation and Pledge followed by the approval of the Consent Agenda. As part of the Consent Agenda we approved the Emergency Services Board Scholarships.
We then heard a presentation from Secretary Jim Ports and the Maryland Department of Transportation as part of their annual Consolidated Transportation Tour. We specifically discussed the Route 5 Widening Project in Leonardtown and the Route 5 Widening Project at Point Lookout. We were assured that both projects are on schedule to be completed by this fall, assuming weather cooperates.
Following that presentation I presented a proclamation for World Architecture Day to Wayne Davis and our Department of Public Works.
We then entered into County Administrator time and our first item of business was review of upcoming meeting agendas. Second we approved a grant for the Child Support Division for the State’s Attorney’s Office for $519,348 with a county match of $315,319. Third we approved a grant award for $84,607 from the Health Department for Project Chesapeake for the Adult Drug Court Program. Fourth we approved the FY2023 Police Accountability, Community and Transparency Grant Award for $76,796 (no county match required) for the Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of Virtual Reality Simulator equipment. Fifth we approved the Board of Education’s FY2024-FY2029 Capital Improvement Program—this plan includes some substantial increases in required county funding over the plan approved last year, including over $18 million (over the 5 years) for Chopticon High School renovations. With the increases in required county funds, the county still stays within its debt limits. Sixth we approved the Board of Education’s request for a categorical budget adjustment for the Concentration of Poverty grant realigning $427,199 of restricted funds. Seventh we approved the Board of Education’s request for an FY2023 Restricted Fund Budget Increase in order to receive the Maryland Leads Grant Award of $1,500,000. Eighth we approved a property tax credit incentive for J.F. Taylor, Inc for $10,000 for ten years because they will create between 55 to 80 new jobs in the county. This is a tax incentive offered to businesses in our county that bring in new jobs. Ninth we approved a partnership agreement between the Animal Shelter and VCA Animal Hospitals Inc to provide services for the animal shelter—check out our adoption process, there is a very generous vet benefit through VCA if you adopt an animal. Tenth we approved an agreement with Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to provide Fire and Rescue Cadet Training. Eleventh we approved the Governor’s Child Care Stabilization Grant Award for $35,125 for School Age Care programs through Recreation and Parks. Twelfth we approved an amendment to extend the lease of the Gymnastics Center through the month of December. Our last item of business was approval of $1,125,000 of Program Open Space funding for multiple projects, including Leonard Hall Recreation Center repairs, Dorsey Park Athletic Field Improvements, 5th District Park Parking Lot Lighting, and the ADA Transition Plan.
During Commissioner Time I commented on the beautiful weekend at the fair and encouraged everyone to attend the Blessing of the Fleet this coming weekend. We then entered into Closed Session to discuss Personnel.
We reconvened at 2:30 pm this afternoon for our annual brief from the Maryland Association of Counties Director Michael Sanderson and current MACo President Laura Price. They discussed several MACo initiatives from the past General Assembly session, such as Emergency Services billing rates and various Tax Policies. They also touched on expected hot button topics for the upcoming session, including Cannabis policy. We also approved a motion to create a Deputy Director for the Department of Emergency Services.
