We started off this morning with a Joint Meeting with the Board of Education. We discussed School Enrollment/Proposed Residential Developments, Blueprint for Education Updates, Foundation Funding, and Everside health care. I also brought up our New Horizons and Camp Inspire Summer Camps and asked for continued cooperation with the school system in ensuring these camps will succeed.
Following our meeting with the Board of Education we reconvened for our normal Commissioner meeting and I led in the Invocation and Pledge. We then approved the Consent Agenda, with one correction to the minutes from last week. As part of the Consent Agenda, we approved a letter to Town Creek Recreational Inc. concurring with their decision on parking lot improvements. After that we presented a proclamation for National Mentoring Month and commendation to Brian Gillingham for his retirement—thank you for your service!
We then heard a presentation from the College of Southern Maryland on the State of the College from their new president, Dr. Yolanda Wilson. I brought up concerns about plans to build a new building at the CSM Leonardtown campus—Dr. Wilson has made cooperation a priority and the plans for the new building have been put on hold.
Entering into County Administrator time, our first item of business was review of upcoming meeting agendas. Second we approved a Public Hearing for the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department for a Fire Tax Rate increase—this is a request from the fire department and would be an average increase of $37.20 for homes in the Sixth District. The request is to increase the Fire Tax from $0.044 to $0.056 per $100 of assessed value and this is needed for the Fire Department to continue to maintain equipment and respond to the community. Third we approved an agreement with the National Medical Education and Training Center in order to provide paramedic students with clinical experience. Fourth we approved a Property Tax Credit Incentive for Cedar Point Shopping Center—because they will be investing a sizeable amount of money into revitalizing this shopping center, they will receive a property tax credit of 25% for ten years. Fifth we approved the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2022 Update—I recommend taking the time to read through it if you’d like, it is a very interesting document! Sixth we approved the purchase of Prosecutor software for the Office of the State’s Attorney for $227,950 with recurring costs of $48,550. Our last item of County Administrator time was approval of the Office of State’s Attorney’s request for four new positions, 2 attorneys and 2 paralegals. This is an unorthodox practice that would usually wait until the new budget is approved, but todays actions were taken based upon a requirement from the State’s Attorney in order for her to complete her work. Total cost for the remainder of this fiscal year is $302,894.
Next we heard Legislative Updates from the County Attorney’s office. We heard about numerous bills being considered in Annapolis that will impact our residents.
During Commissioner Time I spoke about International Day of Education and our meeting with the Board of Education this morning. I also reminded everyone about the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad breakfast this Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ridge from 8:30 to 11—come and enjoy a great breakfast!
We finished the day in Closed Session to discuss several Personnel items. We returned to Open Session to approve an Emergency Services Plan of Reorganization.
