►
A
So
good
evening,
everybody
I
want
to
welcome
you
to
the
May
16
2023
public
hearing
of
the
commissioner's
proposed
budget
for
fy24.
So
before
we
get
into
the
evening.
I
do
want
to
make
a
few
comments.
This
budget
is
a
little
unusual
that
we've
had
some
things
happen
this
year
that
are
unique.
Our
two
largest
energy
Partners
in
Calvert
County,
their
pilots
ran
out.
So
we
are
still
working
through
what
that
Revenue
stream
looks
like
and
for
any
of
you
that
work
on
a
budget
when
you're
not
sure
what
your
Revenue
stream
is.
A
That
can
create
some
contention.
We
also
had
the
superintendent
come
in
and
ask
us
for
24
million
dollars,
so
the
school
system
for
next
year,
which
is
unprecedented
and
so
working
through
all
those
issues
you
know
tonight.
Our
budget
is
not
where
we
wished.
It
was
but
I
think
in
the
next
seven
to
ten
days.
We
should
have
a
much
clearer
picture
on
what
our
Revenue
stream
is
going
to
look
like,
and
we
I
want
to.
Thank
the
superintendent
had
a
awards
ceremony
tonight.
He
said
he'd
be
a
little
late,
but
I'll
take
this
opportunity.
A
Now,
maybe
again
later,
I
do
want
to
thank
superintendent,
townsell
and
Mr
Johnson
Scott
Johnson
from
the
school
system
for
all
their
hard
work.
We've
met
several
times
working
through
the
budget,
answering
questions
trying
to
figure
a
path
forward
and
I
think
that
we've
settled
on
about
13
and
a
half
million
dollars
for
the
school
system
and
that
will
give
all
of
the
employees
a
three
percent
pay
raise
and
a
step
and
I
have
promised
the
superintendent.
A
The
superintendent
had
asked
for
a
5.5
pay
raise
and
two
increments
for
all
employees
and
what
I
promised
the
superintendent
is
that
in
December,
when
we're
written
way
through
this
year,
we
would
take
another
look
at
our
budget
and
see
how
we
can
get
him
to
where
he
needs
to
be.
Everybody
knows
about
blueprint
and
the
requirements
of
blueprint,
and
so
we
are
going
to
meet
our
obligations
for
blueprint.
C
C
C
This
is
a
public
hearing.
This
public
hearing
is
required
by
the
Calvert
County
code
of
public
local
laws.
This
hearing
has
been
duly
advertised
and
there
is
a
certification
of
publication
in
our
files
that
constitute
the
record
of
this
hearing.
The
county
has
adopted
guidelines
for
conducting
public
hearings
as
detailed
in
resolution
6-8-9.
C
C
C
C
C
Those
two
rates
are
different
because
of
changes
in
property
assessments
to
help
provide
an
understanding
of
the
constant
yield.
Tax
rate.
I
will
repeat
the
explanation.
The
constant
yield
tax
rate
is
the
tax
rate.
A
jurisdiction
would
need
to
impose
to
generate
the
same
amount
of
property
tax
revenue
in
the
upcoming
fiscal
year,
FY
2024,
as
it
did
in
the
current
year,
FY
23..
C
C
C
C
B
B
The
general
fund
is
the
primary
fund
and
is
for
the
government
and
is
used
to
record
inflows,
which
are
revenues
and
outflows
of
resources,
work
which
are
expenditures
in
this
fund.
We
collect
property
taxes,
income
taxes
and
account
for
money
that
was
collected.
This
budget
prevent
presents
a
flat
tax
rate,
as
mentioned
earlier.
B
We
also
use
this
fund
for
Education,
mainly
the
public
schools,
but
also
for
the
College
of
Southern
Maryland
for
Public
Safety,
the
Sheriff's
Office,
the
Detention
Center,
the
9-1-1
Center
and
career
EMS.
These
are
these
are
just
some
of
the
many
parts
that
help
keep
Calvert
County
safe
for
roads.
Public
Works
maintains
about
470
miles
of
County
Roads
for
the
community
there
are
libraries,
senior
centers,
Parks
museums
and
other
services.
B
B
B
Currently
we
do
not
use
fund
balance
to
fund
ongoing
operations
for
the
general
fund,
so
the
17.9
million
is
what
we'll
be
looking
at
to
come
up
with
another
funding
source.
The
second
line
item
on
the
use
of
priority
or
fund
balance
is
paygo.
We
are
allowed
to
use
that
use
of
fire
fund
gallons
for
CIP
one-time
purchases,
so
that
number
equals
the
capital
project
or
and
the
general
fund
transfer
and
the
expenditure
section
again.
Staff
will
work
with
the
board
of
County
Commissioners
for
solution
in
order
to
fund
that
17.9
million
dollars.
B
Another
item
to
point
out
is
that
in
fiscal
year
2023
we
end
the
pilot
program
for
Exelon
and
Dominion
and
and
then
the
Dominion
will
go
to
a
tax
credit,
so
they
will
receive
a
42
tax
credit
based
on
assessment
and
the
county
will
collect.
58
of
that
we
don't
have
a
true
identified
impact
of
that
yet,
but
we
are
working
with
the
county,
administrator's
office
and
Consultants
on
trying
to
determine
that
figure.
B
B
Also,
many
businesses
and
individuals
benefited
from
the
federal
stimulus
which
increased
their
wages.
During
the
past
two
years,
the
county
has
seen
a
large
increase
in
income
tax
revenue
in
fiscal
year.
2022
the
county
received
115.3
million
dollars
in
income
tax
revenue,
and
that
was
shown
on
the
prior
slide.
D
B
367
million
66
318
right
now,
property
taxes
represents
about
53
percent
use
the
prior
prior,
your
fund
balance
is
10,
income
tax
is
about
30
and
other
taxes
and
revenues
is
about
7.3
again
just
run
and
reiterate
the
box
in
the
bottom.
The
use
of
Prior
year
fund
balance
it's
the
17.9
million.
That
staff
will
be
working
with
the
County
Commissioners
going
forward
to
the
adopted
budget
in
order
to
bring
that
number
down
to
zero,
as
we
cannot
can
fund
ongoing
operations
with
use
of
Prior
fund
balance.
B
This
slide
reflects
the
income
tax
and
you
can
see
from
2015
all
the
way
to
2022
and
those
are
fiscal
years
on
how
we
peaked
at
115.3
million
in
FY
23.
We've
projected
a
decrease
of
to
106
and
now
we're
projecting
a
slight
increase
over
23
of
109.
we're
still
receiving
positive
feedback
from
the
state
that
income
tax
is
strong
and
remember.
The
income
tax
comes
from
the
41
000,
roughly
tax
returns
that
are
filed
by
our
residence
to
the
state
and
then
distributed
to
the
county.
B
B
B
This
graph
depicts
the
change
year
over
year
of
our
Revenue,
and
you
can
see
it
has
been
going
up
slightly
over
the
years
from
18
to
22
and
then
in
23.
We
see
a
big
decline
of
11.5
million
and
that
it
and
that's
mostly
related
to
income
tax,
and
now
we
do
see
another
decline
of
11.5
million
in
the
commissioner's
budget,
and
8.8
of
that
is
related
to
the
Dominion
change
from
the
pilot
to
the
tax
credit
program.
E
Thanks
Sharon
good
evening,
Beth
Richmond,
deputy
director
of
finance
and
budget
Sharon
spoke
to
you
about
general
fund
revenues
and
I
will
speak
to
you
about
general
fund
expenditures.
Here
is
a
visual
representation
of
the
general
fund
expenditures
for
every
dollar.
The
county
spends
out
of
the
general
fund.
40
cents
goes
to
Public,
Schools
34
cents
is
spent
on
operating
expenses,
12
cents
is
for
pensions,
insurance
and
Debt
Service
associated
with
Capital
Improvements.
E
The
general
fund
expenditures
increased
25
million
over
the
adopted
budget
for
last
year.
I
will
walk
you
through
the
top
five
major
changes,
starting
with
the
largest
and
moving
down.
First,
the
commissioner's
budget
includes
an
increase
of
21.5
million
for
transfers.
The
majority
of
that
increase
is
18.6
million
for
CIP
in
FY
23.
There
wasn't
a
general
fund
contribution
to
CIP.
If
you
compare
fy24
recommended
funding
to
the
adopted
funding
for
22,
that
increase
is
8
million
and
seven
of
the
8
million
is
for
Paving.
E
Next,
we
have
technology
services
with
an
increase
of
1.5
million,
which
includes
funding
for
post-production
support
for
workday
3rd
on
the
list
is
the
Sheriff's
office.
There
is
a
step
and
of
cost
of
living
adjustment
in
this
budget.
The
sheriff's
office
has
the
most
employees,
so
it
makes
sense
that
they
would
see
a
large
increase
in
salary
expense.
In
addition,
a
large
a
larger
number
of
vehicles
are
on
the
fy24
replacement
schedule
as
compared
to
FY
23..
E
Next
we
have
career
EMS
with
an
increase
of
1.3
million.
In
our
continued
effort
to
ensure
our
citizens
continue
to
get
the
medical
help
they
need.
We
continue
to
expand
our
staff
to
support
our
amazing
volunteers
by
adding
four
new
positions.
The
final
item
is
health
insurance,
which
is
due
to
an
increase
in
premiums.
E
The
next
area
I
would
like
to
discuss
is
the
changes
from
the
staff
recommended
budget
that
we
presented
in
March
to
the
commissioner's
budget
being
presented
here
tonight
for
both
revenues
and
expenditures.
We've
revised
and
refined
our
estimates
based
on
current
information.
We
reduced
the
cola
for
County
staff,
and
this
had
a
ripple
impact
on
payroll
taxes.
We
also
adjusted
our
insurance
premiums
based
on
the
actual
rates
received
from
our
insurance
providers.
E
We
just
reviewed
the
changes
from
the
staff
recommended
budget
to
the
commissioner's
Budget.
On
this
slide,
we
will
review
the
known
changes
that
will
be
reflected
in
the
adopted
budget
after
recent
meetings
that
commissioner
hands
spoke
about
the
with
the
Boe
superintendent
and
staff
that
included
discussions
on
their
operating
budget,
the
bocc
has
decided
to
fund
the
bue
at
154.7
million
for
fy24.
This
is
13.4
million
over
last
year's
funding.
E
The
bocc
has
also
decided
to
award
another
position
at
the
State's
Attorney's
office.
As
Sharon
mentioned,
there
will
be
a
staff
presentation
to
the
bsuc
on
May
the
23rd,
during
which
the
VOC
will
direct
staff
on
what
they
want
included
in
the
fy24
adopted
budget.
The
board
of
County
Commissioners
will
vote
on
the
adopted
Budget
on
Tuesday
June.
The
6th
that
competes
completes.
The
review
of
the
general
fund
I
will
now
turn
things
over
to
Mary
Beth
cook,
director
of
planning
and
zoning.
F
The
proposed
fees
are
being
revised
to
include
Architectural
Review
next
slide,
Architectural
Review,
which
is
required
by
the
Calvert
County
zoning
ordinance
and
seven
Town
Center
zoning
ordinances
in
the
critical
area
for
proposing
to
increase
planting
and
bond
fees
to
reflect
the
actual
cost
of
plants
and
labor
to
install
them.
Because
if
someone
defaults
on
a
bond,
the
county
is
responsible
by
law.
To
do
that,
planting
we're
also
proposing
to
increase
after
the
fact
violation
fees.
F
Other
minor
changes
are
also
proposed
for
better
organization
and
clarification
and
to
be
in
line
with
our
upgraded
permit
tracking
system.
A
list
of
all
fees,
including
the
proposed
updates,
are
in
the
fy24
budget
in
the
fees
and
tax
rates
appendix
and,
if
approved,
will
become
effective,
July
1st
2024..
G
Good
evening
I'm
Rachel
Griffith
fiscal
officer
and
I'm
going
to
present
the
budgets
for
the
water
and
sewer
and
solid
waste
and
recycling
funds.
These
two
funds
are
Enterprise
funds
which
mean
they
are
one
like
your
business
and
are
expected
to
pay
for
their
own
operations.
These
funds
operate
on
revenues,
earned
by
charging
fees
to
their
customers,
Water
and
Sewer
charges,
Capital
connection
fees
and
user
fees,
while
Solid
Waste
and
Recycling
charges
tip
fees,
excise
taxes
and
solid
waste
fees.
G
Both
Enterprise
funds
will
be
using
prior
year
fund
balance
as
a
placeholder
to
balance
their
funds
and
are
working
on
reducing
this
Water
and
Sewer
serves
the
major
town
centers
in
Prince,
Frederick
and
Solomons,
as
well
as
many
smaller
communities.
Throughout
the
county
there
are
19
wastes,
there
are
19
water
systems
and
five
Wastewater
systems.
The
water
and
sewer
fund
summary
budget
is
shown
on
the
screen.
G
This
budget
is
based
on
the
rates
currently,
in
effect,
the
budget
increased
by
less
than
nine
percent
over
fiscal
year
of
2023
or
1
million
one
hundred
forty
nine
thousand
five
hundred
seventy
one
dollars.
Half
a
million
dollars
of
the
increase
is
a
result
of
a
contract
coming
in
much
higher
than
expected
for
Revenue
charges
for
services
increased
by
6.08
percent.
This
is
due
to
the
completion
of
the
county-wide
media
replacement
project.
We
now
have
better
consumption
estimates
as
the
basis
for
our
Revenue
projections.
G
G
The
solidar
waste
in
recycling
fund
is
used
to
run
the
county
landfill
out
of
fuel
and
the
six
resident
convenience,
centers
or
compactor
sites.
This
funk's
budget
is
increasing
by
just
over
seven
percent
or
one
million
one
hundred
twenty
seven
thousand
one
hundred
and
eighty
one
dollars.
This
increase
is
for
salary
and
benefits
along
with
operating
and
capital
outlay
items.
The
revenue
increased
slightly
due
to
the
CPI
increase
to
the
solid
waste
fees
which
I'll
discussed
on
the
next
slide.
G
This
slide
is
intended
to
cover
the
planned
increases
in
the
solid
race
fee
structure.
With
this
commissioner's
budget,
tip
fees
for
residential
and
Commercial
customers
have
increased
in
seller
raised
fee
in
the
solid
race
fee,
as
stated
in
the
prior
recommended
budget
presentation,
The,
Tipping
fees
for
residential
increase
to
80.26
and
a
commercial
increase
to
89.17,
and
as
discussed
with
the
recommended
budget,
the
seller
waste
fees
increased
three
dollars
per
user
to
154
dollars.
This
fee
is
charged
to
the
county,
businesses
and
residents
and
supports
fund
improvements
to
the
recycling
program.
G
H
Good
evening,
I'm
Veronica
Atkinson
the
capital
projects
analyst.
My
first
slide
is
an
overview
of
the
commissioner's
budget.
Six-Year
Capital,
Improvement
plan
or
CIP.
This
table
reflects
a
breakdown
of
the
six-year
expenses
by
functional
Department.
Each
of
the
Departments
are
listed
to
the
far
left
of
the
table
with
each
year's
expenses.
Following
towards
the
right.
H
H
This
table
focuses
on
the
fy24
CIP
expenditures
and
revenues.
The
column
to
the
far
left
details,
each
functional
department
and
the
column
in
yellow
represents
their
total
requested
expenses
to
the
right
of
the
total
expenses
is
a
breakdown
of
the
revenues.
This
shows
how
each
functional
Department
plans
to
pay
for
projects
during
fy24.
H
H
H
H
H
I
Thank
you
good
evening.
My
name
is
Scott
Johnson
Chief
Financial
Officer
for
Calvert
County,
Public
Schools.
Thank
you
good
afternoon
to
meet
with
you
and
thank
you,
chairman,
Hance
and
other
members
of
the
commission
for
the
opportunity
to
collaborate
on
some
of
the
budget
challenges
that
we've
experienced
this
year
due
largely
to
the
blueprint.
I
This
table
shows
a
summary
of
our
Revenue
sources
and
two
largest
sources
include
the
state
revenue,
state
aid
and
County
Appropriations
we've
since
reduced
our
request
on
the
county
Appropriations
to
approximately
21.9
million
dollars.
This
year's
larger
than
usual
budget
request
is
due
largely
to
blueprint
related
costs.
I
The
next
slide
shows
the
same
table
along
with
the
pie
graph.
That
makes
it
easy
to
see
the
primary
budgetary
sources
for
Revenue
and
the
next
slide
shows
the
major
cost
increases
for
next
fiscal
year.
Almost
half
the
increase
is
related
to
blueprint
related
costs
and
fixed
costs.
Meeting
a
primarily
employee
benefits
mandated
employee
benefits
that
go
with
those
blueprint,
related
costs
and
negotiated
increases.
We
also
special
education
cost
increases
and
a
significant
continuing
increase
in
student
transportation
costs,
but,
of
course,.
I
I
and
the
budget
does
include
an
increase
of
one
percent,
which
was
previously
negotiated
and
two
five
and
a
half
percent,
or
a
five
and
a
half
percent
increase
that
is
split
into
two
start
dates
in
the
next
fiscal
year.
The
budget
also
includes,
what's
called
a
career
ladder
for
teachers,
actually
I
misspoke.
I
B
B
J
The
floor
has
been
open
for
public
comment
at
this
hearing.
Resolution
6-89
was
adopted
and
is
available
here
today
to
maintain
the
order
and
decorum
of
the
governmental
process.
Those
attending
in
person
will
be
invited
to
speak
first,
then,
those
joining
virtually
those
joining
virtually.
If
you
wish
to
speak,
please
press
star,
9
or
use
the
raise
your
hand
function.
Virtual
participant
participants
will
be
identified
by
their
screen
name
or
the
last
four
digits
of
their
phone
number
and
unmuted
one.
At
a
time.
J
K
K
Well?
Why
don't
we
name
it
after
Harry
Elizabeth
Brown,
who
is
just
a
historical
person
in
this
County
I?
Don't
think
she
gets
enough
representation
from
from
I.
Think
the
news
and
people
like
that
so
I'm
not
going
to
go
into
that
and
I
want
to.
Thank
you
for
all
the
funding
that
you've
Advanced,
but
here's
what
I'm
afraid
of
a
year
to
me
at
my
age
is
precious
okay
and
I.
K
That's
too
far
for
me
and
you
know
I'm,
you
know
it's
not
that
I'm,
not
optimistic
I'm,
just
natural
I
know
what
happens
so.
Please
shovel
some
dirt
and
say:
okay.
This
is
where
it's
going
to
be,
may
not
be
there
next
year,
but
please
think
about
it.
Okay,
because
I
Lord,
otherwise
I'll
be
back
here
next
year
and
I
gotta
hold
on
to
this
mic
to
keep
my
balance
because
usually
I
have
a
guitar
in
my
hand,
so,
but
I
do
want
to
thank
you
and
again
I
think
you
do
a
hard
job.
K
L
Good
evening,
Commissioners
I'm
here
tonight,
first
actually
before
I
read
what
I
prepared
I
want
to.
Thank
you
all
and
also
Dr
Thompson
Johnson,
for
continuing
to
work
for
the
school
system
and
their
budget.
I
am
the
school
nurse
at
Barstow
Elementary,
as
well
as
the
case
building
rep
for
both
Barstow
and
the
nurses.
L
I'm,
not
only
here
tonight,
to
hear
your
budget
proposal
and
to
urge
you
to
consider
equally
funding
an
increase
for
Calvert,
County's
amazing
support
staff,
but
to
give
you
information
to
take
forward
to
those
who
will
listen
in
state
government
state
employees
received
a
4.5
percent
Cola
last
year.
While
we
contribute
to
the
state's
pension
system.
We
are
not
considered
state
employees.
L
Our
funding
comes
from
both
state
and
local
entities,
but
we
permanently
reside
in
some
gray
area
in
between
the
school
systems
seem
to
be
in
a
never-ending
tug
of
war
between
our
local
and
state
governments
when
it
comes
to
funding.
This
is
why
you've
seen
such
a
tremendous
turnout
at
your
recent
meetings.
It's
time
for
us
to
fight
what
for
what
we
deserve,
the
blueprint
is
looking
out
for
the
state's
teachers
and
increasing
their
starting
wage
and
giving
them
a
10
percent
increase
in
pay
over
the
23-24
school
year.
L
While
we
may
have
different
job
descriptions,
we
are
all
part
of
one
team
that
educates
and
protects
the
health
and
well-being
of
the
County's
children.
I
am
asking
that
you,
please
make
sure
the
employees
of
Calvert,
County,
Public
Schools,
including
administrators
teachers
and
support
staff,
are
treated
equally
and
fairly.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
M
My
name
is
Amy
Cox,
as
a
teacher
and
parent
in
Carroll,
County,
Public,
Schools
I
was
extremely
concerned
when
the
County
Commissioners
proposed
a
flat
funding
for
the
Boe
budget.
I
wanted
to
remind
everybody
that,
within
the
past
three
years
this
would
have
been
would
have
been
the
second
time
we
were
flat
funded
in
fiscal
year
2022.
Our
previous
superintendent
only
asked
for
a
dollar
increase,
so
with
rapid
inflation.
Ccps
has
virtually
been
operating
with
the
same
budget
for
the
last
few
years.
M
M
Let's
break
it
down
this
way.
If
you
take
520
students
and
divide
by
25
schools
in
Calvert
County,
that's
an
average
decrease
of
21
students
per
School.
If
that's
an
elementary
school
and
all
one
grade
level,
I
can
see
losing
a
teacher
and
an
instructional
assistant.
Perhaps,
but
not
all,
student
decrees
will
be
from
one
grade
level.
If
you
divide
by
the
number
of
grade
levels
in
the
elementary
school,
which
is
six,
then
the
decrease
is
3.5
students
per
grade.
What
teacher
and
or
IA?
Do
you
not
replace
a
third
grade
teacher
or
kindergarten
teacher?
M
Ccps
may
not
need
to
lay
off
staff
due
to
the
14
million
dollar
increase,
but
they
might
not
be
able
to
replace
the
staff
that
retire
or
transfer
due
to
the
budget
shortfall
that
Boe
asked
for.
Instead
of
hiring
a
new
computer
science
teacher
at
the
high
school
to
replace
the
one
retiring,
other
teachers
will
pick
up
his
classes.
That
means
that
English
classes
will
be
larger
because,
instead
of
teaching
English
a
couple
of
periods,
an
English
teacher
will
be
teaching
computer
science.
N
Hi
I
am
a
parent
of
a
seventh
grader,
a
college
freshman
who
graduated
from
Calvert
High
last
year,
I'm.
Also
a
teacher
teach
seventh
grade,
math
and
8th
grade
math,
so
I've
done
a
lot
of
Computing
while
we've
been
speaking
I'm
a
little
concerned,
because
even
my
students
realize
that
10
minus
the
four
and
a
half
that
we
have
projected
for
the
cola
doesn't
reach
that
10
percent
that
we
need.
N
You
say
that
you're
going
to
give
this
to
us,
but
I'm,
very
concerned
because,
as
we
all
know,
budgets
get
passed
and
then
maybe
we
get
additional
funding
and
even
that
that
you're
not
sure
where
that's
coming
from
so
I
am
I
am
very
concerned.
Transportation
costs
we
now
have
definitely
risen.
How
can
you
not
increase
based
on
the
fuel
cost
alone?
Even
your
employee
said
that
there's
a
seven
percent
increase
for
County
trash,
but
we
didn't
give
transportation
increases
for
diesel
fuel,
which
is
definitely
going
up.
N
We
have
to
hit
that
60
000,
beginning
salary
by
2026,
we're
just
not
going
to
make
that
Mark.
If
you
give
us
nothing
this
year,
that
means
next
year.
We
have
to
ask
for
even
more:
we
can't
keep
pushing
it
off,
that'd,
be
like
saying
to
Public
Works,
hey,
there's
an
accident
every
day
at
this
intersection
at
three
o'clock,
but
maybe
next
year
we'll
look
into
it.
That's
just
not
acceptable.
I
can't
do
that
in
my
classroom.
N
I
can't
say
well,
maybe
I'll
grade
your
test
next
quarter
next
year,
our
budgets
will
be
our
our
teacher
salaries,
beginning
teacher
salary,
coming
straight
out
of
college
28
behind
Charles
County
25,
behind
PG
22,
behind
Anne
Arundel
and
13
behind
St
Mary's
County
I
have
veteran
teachers
in
my
building
wondering
if
they
should
move
back
because
they
could
earn
a
higher
salary.
Other
places,
Anne
Arundel
superintendent
just
announced
a
thousand
dollar
bonus
for
every
employee,
and
he
said
this.
N
The
facts
are
that
the
people
on
our
team
are
doing
incredible
work
while
facing
significant
challenges,
they're
doing
additional
work
because
of
shortages
dealing
with
increased
requirements
and
to
be
honest,
facing
an
increase
in
unacceptable
confrontations
from
students
and
Families
I
heard
that
the
timer
just
went
off,
but
I
don't
understand
how
we
can
how
we
can
do
23
percent
less
tax
on
businesses
than
we
do
personal
property
taxes.
I
understand.
We
want
to
keep
Calvert
small,
but
we
can't
keep
it
small
and
then
expect
everything
else
to
go
up.
N
You're
going
to
either
have
to
increase
taxes
on
personal
citizens
or
bring
in
more
businesses.
I
would
have
loved
to
see
a
Target
instead
of
a
Planet
Fitness.
Everybody
goes
out
of
the
county
for
shopping
for
appliances.
We
don't
stay
in
county
for
any
of
that.
All
that
money
leaves
the
company
thanks.
O
Good
evening
my
name
is
Linda
Hampshire
I
am
a
teacher
at
Plum
Point
middle
school.
Thank
you
for
allowing
me
the
opportunity
to
speak
with
you
today.
My
passion
for
education
in
students
has
allowed
me
to
enjoy
fulfilling
32-year
career
for
the
Calvert
County
Public
Schools
state
legislatures
passed
a
reformative
education
Bill,
designed
to
overhaul
the
education
system
to
meet
the
demands
of
the
21st
century.
Workforce
and
Beyond.
O
We
need
to
have
targeted
investment
in
schools
to
implement
the
blueprint,
but
this
government
is
considering
starving
our
education
system
through
its
funding
of
the
budget,
teachers
are
constantly
being
asked
to
do
more,
with
less
students
fall
behind
in
Reading,
Writing
and
math,
because
this
school
system
cannot
retain
teachers
nor
have
additional
resources
to
meet
their
needs
between
retirements
resignations
and
leave
of
absence.
There
are
already
99
fewer
teachers
to
meet
the
Staffing
requirements
for
next
year.
O
Calvert
County
Public
Schools
is
weighed
in
until
the
last
minute
to
meet
many
of
the
mandates
of
the
blueprint.
The
blueprint
requires
that
a
10
increase
over
the
negotiated
schedule
of
wages
be
implemented.
Step
increases
are
not
included
in
this
amount.
This
must
be
funded
through
cost
of
living
adjustments.
Restorative
steps
increases
do
not
count
which
had
been
present
for
four
years
of
the
past
two
contracts,
as
other
counties
were
funding
amounts
to
set
their
teachers
ahead.
O
We
were
digging
ourselves
out
of
a
hole
to
date,
a
total
of
3.5
percent
of
wage
increases
have
been
implemented
since
2019,
the
Calvert
County
Commissioners
have
funded
two
percent
of
colas
one
percent
in
fiscal
year.
Twenty
and
one
percent
in
fiscal
year
23.,
a
three
percent
increase,
simply
doesn't
meet
the
Mandate
that
must
go
into
effect
by
next
summer.
Ccps
has
waited
until
the
last
minute
to
meet
this
mandate
rather
than
smooth
costs
over
several
years.
Teachers
and
students
should
not
have
to
pay
for
this
mismanagement.
Thank
you.
P
Evening
my
name
is
Dano
stenzo
I
am
the
President
of
the
Calvert
Education
Association,
a
proud
public
school
teacher
and
advocate
for
public
education.
35
years
ago,
Calvert
County
was
the
place
to
teach.
We
had
one
of
the
top
teaching
salaries
in
the
state.
We
did
not
really
have
to
recruit.
Teachers
came
to
us.
We
could
hire
the
best
of
the
best.
We
did
not
have
to
worry
about
retention,
because
once
you
were
fortunate
enough
to
be
hired
by
Calvert
County
Public
Schools,
you
did
not
leave.
P
P
P
According
to
msde,
Calvert
is
currently
ranked
14th
out
of
24
in
the
state
amongst
our
neighboring
counties
in
FY
23
Calvary
teachers
received
the
lowest
Cola
and
are
projected
to
still
receive
the
lowest
in
fy24,
based
upon
the
board
of
County
Commissioner's
current
proposal
of
a
three
percent
Cola
compared
to
our
four
neighboring
counties.
Next
year.
Calvert
County
will
have
the
lowest
starting
salary
for
a
teacher
with
a
bachelor's
degree
and
have
next
to
the
lowest
starting
salary
for
a
teacher
with
a
bachelor's
degree
and
a
standard
professional
certificate.
P
We
no
longer
have
applicants
coming
to
us.
We
must
recruit,
but
from
where,
according
to
a
recent
article
in
the
Washington
post
dated
May
14
2023
in
the
2018-2019
school
year,
colleges
and
universities
awarded
about
90
000
undergraduate
education
degrees
compared
to
over
two
hundred
thousand
in
the
early
1970s.
P
P
P
P
P
Q
The
option
to
attend
I'd
love
to
see
this
on
a
more
regular
basis
on
such
as
once
or
twice
a
month,
I'm
I'm,
obviously
teaching
so
I
have
to
watch
your
meetings
later
I'm
here
this
evening
to
share
my
concerns
over
the
funding
suggested
for
Calvert
County
Public
Schools,
it
is
the
school
system
that
draws
people
to
move
to
Calvert
County,
while
employees
may
not
leave
ccps
at
a
higher
rate
than
other
districts.
This
is
a
problem
everywhere.
Q
It
makes
me
wonder
why
wait
for
things
to
get
worse
when
if
we
can't
fill
at
vacancies
across
the
board,
do
you
realize
there
is
a
shortage
of
teachers
across
all
systems?
Ccps
is
not
at
100
employment,
employment.
We
not
only
have
provisional
teachers
but
also
long-term
substitutes,
serving
as
Futures
and
at
least
one
teacher
position
not
filled
by
anyone
at
all.
Other
teachers
had
to
take
that
over
and
make
larger
classes.
Q
Teachers
are
a
critical
component
of
Student
Success
I,
looked
at
the
numbers
for
leave
of
absence,
retirements
and
resignations
for
March
April
and
May
of
2022
versus
March,
April
and
May
of
2023.
this
year
there
are
nine,
more
leave
of
absences,
three,
more
retirements
and
nine
more
resignations.
The
thing
is,
they
aren't
the
last
more
teachers
will
be
leaving
and
many
are
already
actively
looking
at
other
employment
opportunities
or
actually
have
other
employment,
but
they're
waiting
to
declare
their
resignation.
Q
I've
had
more
than
one
teacher
leaving
the
system
say
the
same
thing
to
me
about
how
everything
good
about
schools
is
accomplished,
on
the
backs
of
staff.
Frankly,
I'm
giving
serious
consideration
to
removing
anything
not
provided
by
ccps
for
my
classroom
and
encouraging
others
to
follow
suit,
so
the
public
can
finally
see
the
difference
between
a
government-funded
classroom
versus
a
teacher
funded.
The
blue
plant
was
not
a
surprise.
I
hear
the
plan
you
plan
to
meet
the
blueprint,
but
I
am
I'm
not
hearing
how
or
when
and
if
children
are
truly
important.
Q
Don't
we
want
the
best.
The
best
includes
having
the
best
people
working
in
all
facets
of
the
school
system.
Our
schools
do
not
run
without
our
support
staff,
they
are
the
backbone
of
our
system
and
they
need
to
be
paid
to
leave
living
wage
I
throw
this
in
because
it's
not
mandated
by
the
blueprint,
but
it
still
needs
to
happen.
R
Good
evening
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Terrell
Harris
I'm,
210,
West,
Lake,
Boulevard,
Prince,
Frederick,
Maryland
I,
come
to
you.
Thank
you
for
I
saw
that
the
Dunkirk
skate
park
was
put
onto
the
CIP.
So
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that.
As
a
skateboarder.
For
20
years
now,
we've
been
asking
for
lights.
My
entire
my
entire
career
in
that
skate
park.
So
to
see
that
you
guys
finally
put
a
plan
on
paper
to
put
lights
in
the
skate
park
is
amazing.
R
To
me,
I
also
want
to
thank
you
for
the
recent
Dunkirk
skate
park
attention.
It
was
recently
resealed,
though
I
don't
think
it
did
much.
It
didn't
improve
the
ground
much,
but
I
wish
that
funding
would
have
gone
towards
just
rebuilding
the
whole
skate
park.
I
do
appreciate
the
attention
that
you
guys
have
given
the
skatepark.
Thus
far,
I
came
here
to
ask
you
if
we
could
bump
up
the
skate
parks
timeline
right
now.
It's
currently
scheduled
for
a
fiscal
year,
28
planning
and
fiscal
year,
29
construction,
that's
five
years
out.
R
I
know
there's
a
lot
of
important
things,
but
I
I
think
it'd
be
great.
If
we
could
just
bump
that
up
a
couple
of
years
and
just
having
speaking
to
the
skatepark
Community
as
a
wishlist
item,
I
would
love
to
see
a
skate
park
in
the
southern
end
of
the
county
right
now.
Anyone
who
lives
in
Lusby
they're,
probably
not
making
it
to
Dunkirk
it's
just
too
far.
You
know
these
are
for
the
kids,
so
they
don't
have
cars
to
drive
up
there.
R
S
My
name
is
Todd
Blankenbaker
I'm
joined
here
today
by
my
colleagues,
Ryan
Gephart
and
Terrell
Harris.
Together
we
are
the
Calvert
chapter
of
the
Maryland
Southern
Maryland
skateboard
Association,
and
are
advocating
for
an
overhaul
of
Dunkirk
skate
park.
While
we
appreciate
the
planning
of
Renovations
in
the
future
fiscal
year,
2028
2029
is
too
far
to
address
the
current
state
of
the
park
we
petitioned
and
received
over
1200
signatures.
Many
commenting
how
rough
the
pavement
is.
S
Rough
surfaces
and
warping
uneven
ramps
create
an
unsafe
environment
for
beginner
and
experienced
skaters
alike.
While
we
appreciate
the
seal
coating
done
last
November,
it
hasn't
solved
the
issues
at
hand
and
we
would
like
to
see
a
tear
out
of
the
existing
facility
and
installation
of
a
modern,
concrete
Park.
S
S
I
petitioned
with
my
mother
over
20
years
ago
for
lights
and
while
I'm
happy
to
see
that's
also
being
planned,
I
think
it
would
be
a
poor
use
of
funds
to
eliminate
illuminate
a
facility
which
will
not
see
use
instead,
said
funding
should
be
grouped
together
with
the
existing
budget
for
an
even
better
facility.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Commissioners.
We
look
forward
to
working
with
you
in
the
county
in
the
future.
B
T
Thank
you.
It's
Ryan
Gebhart.
Thank
you
so
much
good
evening
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Ryan
Gebhardt
I'm,
a
Calvert
County
resident
of
over
10
years,
I'm,
currently
residing
in
St
Leonard.
As
my
friends,
Ted
and
Terrell
mentioned,
we
appreciate
the
Calvert
County
Parks
and
Recreation
have
taken
action
already
to
try
to
enhance
the
safety
of
Dunkirk
skate
park.
But
as
it
stands,
many
of
the
concerns
that
we
brought
forward
to
Parks
and
Recreation
have
not
been
addressed.
T
Park
still
consists
of
large
slippery
ramps,
sending
skaters
at
high
speeds
into
rough,
poorly
maintained
asphalt.
Some
ramps
have
received
repairs
to
the
transitions
from
metal
to
Asphalt
While.
Others
have
not
large
veins
of
unflattened
crack
filler
run
throughout
the
skate
park
and
skaters
leave
with
their
boards
and
shoes
stained
with
black
from
the
sealer
that
has
had
a
hard
time
drying.
T
I,
don't
think
it's
realistic
to
leave
the
skate
park
in
its
current
state
for
another
five
years
and
attempting
another
repair
at
this
point
would
only
serve
to
waste
time
and
money.
I
appreciate
this
opportunity
to
share
our
concerns
with
you.
We
would
like
you
to
know
that
we're
available
anytime
to
discuss
this.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Please
be
on
the
lookout
for
a
follow-up
email
with
more
information,
also
as
a
Saint
Leonard
resident
I
want
to
back
him
up
on
that.
We
would
love
a
skate
park
down.
U
U
The
southern
Maryland
Association
of
Realtors
opposes
the
proposed
increase
of
the
property
taxes
coming
before
you,
which
would
raise
the
property
taxes
significantly
smaller,
believes
local
governments
should
fund
from
their
existing
property
and
income
tax
basis
for
the
necessary
public
facilities,
such
as
the
schools,
Water
and
Sewer,
Transportation,
Public,
Safety
and
others
at
a
rate
that
keeps
up
with
the
population
growth.
We're
not
doing
that.
U
U
You
won't
have
to
increase
the
taxes,
because
the
value
and
the
taxes
based
on
the
assessment
values
are
going
up
so
you're
going
to
make
that
tax
base.
Anyway,
additional
taxes
in
government
imposed
costs
have
raised
the
cost
of
owning
a
home,
specifically
burning,
burdening
long-time
County
residents
and
older
homeowners
on
fixed
income.
Me.
U
Calvert
county
is
now
faced
with
an
opportunity
to
help
remove
one
added
barrier
to
home
ownership
by
enacting
the
proposed
constant
yield
and
keeping
it
lower
so
that
at
the
new
rate,
even
so
that
you
basing
it
on
the
new
assessed
value
rather
than
increasing
taxes
themselves,
I
can
anticipate
and
guaran
almost
guarantee
you
that
the
53
percent
that
you
had
last
year
is
going
to
go
up
this
year.
So
you're
going
to
get
more
than
from
your
real
estate
taxes
than
what
you're
anticipating.
U
Maintaining
the
lower
tax
level
for
our
your
constituents,
while
not
disrupting
the
County's
budget,
is
fair
for
everyone
in
the
county.
We
understand
how
expensive
it
can
be
to
maintain
the
growth
in
the
county.
We
want
to
see
the
county
continue
to
grow,
smartly
and
responsibly,
with
appropriately
a
supported
facilities
for
all
residents.
U
U
V
Excuse
me,
Commissioners
I
want
to
express
my
heartfelt
appreciation
to
the
incredible
people
who
contribute
to
making
our
County
and
exceptionals
space
to
live
our
counties,
source
of
Pride
isn't
just
in
our
geographical
Beauty
in
our
infrastructure,
but
in
our
staff
from
the
dedicated
staff
or
Parks
and
Rec
to
the
tireless
individuals
who
work
at
the
Sheriff's
Office
and
all
our
invaluable
school
system
staff.
It's
those
combined
efforts
of
these
individuals
that
truly
make
our
County
shine.
V
Our
County's
greatest
asset
lies
in
that
hard
work
and
dedication
of
all
staff
and
in
the
solidarity
through
Union
representation
unions,
have
played
a
crucial
role
in
advocating
for
rights,
the
benefits
and
the
fair
treatment
of
workers
across
all
Realms
of
our
our
work.
It's
through
that
Collective
Strength
of
unions
that
our
County
can
negotiate
for
improved
working
conditions,
Fair
wages
and
the
essential
benefits
that
we
need
to
hire
and
retain
staff.
V
In
order
for
our
accounting
to
reach
its
fullest
potential,
we
must
accurately
promote
and
support
our
unions,
and
this
means
acknowledging
the
vital
role
that
our
unions
play
in
ensuring
the
well-being
and
fair
treatment
of
all
staff.
It
means
advocating
for
the
rights
of
our
staff
to
freely
associate
and
collectively
bargaining.
By
doing
so,
we're
going
to
create
an
environment
where
our
County
staff
can
Thrive
and
lead
to
enhancing
our
services
for
all
outcomes
for
residents.
V
J
B
W
W
I,
truly
believe
that
I
don't
complain
whatever
we
get
we're
going
to
get
it
done,
I'm
going
to
continue
to
advocate
for
finances
and
and
monies
for
our
teachers
and
support
workers
and
anyone
that
works
at
Calvert,
County,
Public,
Schools,
but
I
appreciate
the
hard
work
and
dedication
of
everyone
involved
and,
let's
continue
to
work
together.
This
is
team,
Calvert,
Calvert,
County,
that's
what
I
represent.
So
thank
you
so
much
for
the
opportunity.
A
So
Dr
Townsend
earlier
before
you
arrived
I
did
thank
you
and
Mr
Johnson
for
all
your
efforts
and
our
hard
work
on
the
budget.
It's
not
been
easy,
you're
new
and
it's
a
whole
new
system.
You've
had
to
learn
and
blueprint
has
complicated
that.
But
we
really
do
appreciate
you
and
Dr
Mr
Johnson's
efforts
to
work
through
this
budget
and
as
I
told
everybody
it's
not
done
yet.
We've
still
got
work
to
do,
but
we've
got
to
get
through
this
process
for
now
anyway.
Yes,.
W
U
D
A
I
have
a
motion,
a
second,
that
we
leave
the
record
open
to
receive
additional
public
comments
who
close
the
business
on
Monday
June
5th
2023..
Is
there
any
discussion
on
that
motion?
Hearing
none
all
those
in
favor,
say:
aye
aye
opposed
motion
carries
so
what
that
means.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
is
we
are
going
to
vote
on
June
the
6th
to
finalize
the
budget
for
July
1.?