March 29, 2022 Commissioner Update:
Today we began our meeting with the Invocation and Pledge, followed by the approval of the Consent Agenda and minutes from our last meeting. We then presented commendations for the following five retirements: Major Michael Merican, Capt Richard Gray, Sgt. Mark Porter, Cpl. Earl Young, and Cpl. Ralph Butler. Thank you all for your dedication and service to our county!
Moving into our Main Agenda, we approved a Public Hearing for the renewal of the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement. Next we approved the FY2023 Recommended Budget, Property Tax Rate and Fees and Charges to bring to Public Hearing. There will be a Public Hearing on the evening of April 26th at Chopticon High School—please participate and provide input in the process! This is a strong budget that provides an income tax cut and still meets all of the needs of our community.
Entering County Administrator time, our first item of business was review of upcoming meeting agendas. Second we approved the purchase of Community Engagement Software for our Public Information Office for $34,000—this will assist in providing data driven information and foster dialogue between local government and the public. Third we approved a contract award to Principal Custody Solutions to consolidate custodial services for our OPEB, LOSAP and SORP trusts in order to reduce fees and improve services. Fourth we approved the schedule of non-recurring and other unique one-time costs for the Board of Education to the Maryland State Department of Education for FY2023—this is a procedural requirement every year; there are currently no items listed on the schedule. Fifth we approved budget amendments that return $737,100 to the FIN22 Capital Reserve and reduce it by the same amount for the Mechanicsville Elementary School Limited Renovation. Sixth we approved the FY2023 MDOT Transportation Priority Letter—this includes road and bridge repairs, intersection upgrades, highway projects, planning and sidewalk programs. Seventh we approved a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration for Airport Improvements for $108,051 with a required county match of $12,006. Our final item of County Administrator business was approval of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program FY2023 Grant Award for $50,000 with a $37,495 required county match and $37,489 in other county funds.
Next we heard Legislative Updates from our County Attorney’s office.
We ended the morning with Commissioner’s Time. I spoke about the Commission for Women’s Annual Awards Program last week and the wonderful Cherry Blossom Festival organized by our Department of Recreation and Parks. Don’t forget the Friends of the Library Book Sale is going on this weekend at the Fairgrounds!
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