COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY
Preston Volunteer Fire Company Hall, 3860 Choptank Road, Preston, Maryland
MINUTES
March 7, 2017
Present: President, Daniel J. Franklin; Vice President, Larry C. Porter; Member, Wilbur Levengood Jr.,
County Administrator, Ken Decker; and Chief of Staff Sara Visintainer.
Invocation by Reverend Karen Handy, St. Lukes Methodist, Church of Denton; Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
President Franklin called for public comment and Kathleen Berry, Commissioner, Town of Preston,
thanked the Caroline County Commissioners for hosting their public budget hearing in the Town of
Preston.
Consent Agenda: The Commissioners approved the following items by unanimous consent.
 P.O #65858, Trinity Services Group, Inc., Three Year Food Services for Detention Center,
$468,000.00
 P.O # 65980, and Accompanying Contract, Alliance Technology Group, Fortinet Fortigate 1500D
Firewall, $54,900.00
 Memorandum of Understanding Between Caroline County and Choptank Electric Cooperative for
Use of Fiber Optic Infrastructure
 Contractual Employment Agreement Caroline County Circuit Rider Town Planner (Keller)
 Contractual Employment Agreement Caroline County Circuit Court Reporter (Jantz)
 Appointment to Caroline County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board (Fisher)
 Appointment to Construction Trades Board (Holden)
 Thank You for Serving Letter to Constructions Trades Board (Conner)
 Thank You for Serving Letter to Burial Site Preservation Board (Hayman)
 Resolution #2017-004, Amendment of the Caroline County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage
Plan, Town of Preston Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade to Enhanced Nutrient Removal
Technology
Legislative Update: Sara Visintainer, Chief of Staff, shared positive news regarding the latest legislative
bill updates. She stated that the proposal to shift the majority of the costs for the State Department of
Assessment and Taxation to local governments was rejected by the House budget committee, which could
save the County money during the upcoming budget cycle. She stated that the Transportation and
Environment Committee rejected the flat fund of highway user revenues, which could lead to a slight
increase in funding for roads. Ms. Visintainer stated that the County’s Bond Bills for the Benedictine
School and Compass Hospice’s administrative building, will be heard in their committees during the
upcoming week. She went on to state that the Senate is debating the bill that would require Best Available
Technology (BAT) septic systems outside the Critical Area, but that a compromise amendment from
Senator Middleton might help resolve the issue in a way that is satisfactory to both sides.
County Administrator’s Report:
 Mr. Decker thanked the Office Finance and the Tax Office for their hard work gathering the
documents and budget request from County Departments.
 He welcomed Rachel Barry, Economic Development Coordinator, to the County government
team.
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Mr. Decker stated that Garland Road Bridge may be delayed due to complications, however he
will have more detailed information on that later in the week.
He mentioned that he will be meeting with the Caroline Economic Development Corporation
Executive Board to discuss funds for Tourism and the need to update the Memorandum of
Understanding between the two organizations.
County Commissioners Open Discussion Period
 Vice President Porter thanked the Office of Tax and Finance for all their support during the
budget process. He stated that he could not imagine working through such a detailed budget
process without the help from the supportive team the County has.
There being no further business, the Commissioners adjourned their regular meeting and stated they
would reconvene at 7:00 p.m. for the first FY2018 budget hearing.
FY2018 BUDGET HEARING
The first Fiscal Year 2017-2018 public hearing to receive testimony regarding the Caroline County
Government budget convened at 7:00 p.m. with a moment of silence.
President Daniel Franklin introduced the Commissioners and staff and stated that the purpose of this
hearing is to receive testimony related to budget requests received for Fiscal Year 2018. He stated that the
notice of public hearing was published in the Times Record newspaper.
The following is a summary of testimony received:
Erin Thornton, Comptroller, Caroline County Board of Education: Ms. Thornton, stated that she was
testifying on behalf of the Board of Education, due to a conflict in their meeting schedules. Ms. Thornton
stated that the Board of Education continues to appreciate the ongoing support from Caroline County. She
stated that there is a current budget request for additional funds to relieve the increase of enrollment the
Board of Education will take on during the 2018 school year, but that the budget request is only at the
required Maintenance of Effort level.
Becky Loukides and Susan Runnels, Local Management Board: Ms. Loukides and Ms. Runnels
testified in support for the Local Management Board and thanked the Commissioners for their continued
support and funds for their audit. Ms. Runnels stated that there are two legislative bills that have been
introduce during session, with the potential to cut funds of the LMB, if they pass in legislation. Ms.
Visintainer stated that the Maryland Association of Counites is working with LMBs to actively oppose
the bills.
Allison Rowe Bringman, County Resident: Ms. Bringman stated that she and her son love Caroline
County’s Imagination Library Program which is a County service that delivers children’s books to
resident’s homes. She stated that prioritizing early literacy is an important aspect for every child in the
county. Ms. Bringman asked the Commissioners to please fund the wonderful program, which will impact
literacy and early child development in Caroline County.
Jean Austin, St. Martin’s Ministries: Ms. Austin testified in support of St. Martin’s budget request to
increase their current funding by $5,000. She stated that the food pantry serves 350 families each month,
and the Rental Assistance Program helps provide emergency housing funds so residents may remain in
their homes through an economic crisis. She stated that additional funds would help support more
families in need. Ms. Austin thanked the Commissioners for supporting St. Martin’s Ministries in the past
and asked the Commissioners to consider fully funding their request.
Don Reed, Employee Advisory Board Chair: Mr. Reed stated that the EAB apricated the pay increase
the Commissioners are proposing in the budget and increase in health insurance costs that were paid for
by the County. Mr. Reed stated that he and the members of the EAB appreciate all investments in the
employees of Caroline County government.
Amy Kreiner, Interim Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce: Ms. Kreiner expressed her
appreciation for the County’s support while the Chamber of Commerce underwent a change in
management as well as a rebranding project for marketing. Ms. Kreiner stated that the Chamber will be
taking over as sole lease holder of their current office space, and she hopes the Commissioners will help
offset their rent cost by accepting their budget increase of $2,500.
Debby Bennett, Executive Director, Caroline County Public Library: Ms. Bennett testified that the
Library is requesting a small increase to give pay increases to their staff members, which is
commensurate with the pay increase being proposed for County employees. She thanked the
Commissioners for their continued support and investments in the Library’s capital and building needs.
Ms. Bennett also spoke in favor of the Imagination Library request. She stated that the goal of
Imagination Library is to have every child in Caroline County enrolled and they would like to increase the
program to 2,300 children.
Shelly Andrews, Choptank Community Health: Ms. Andrew testified on behalf of Chesapeake
College. She stated that business in the area rely on the education and training Chesapeake College
provides to their students. She went on to express the unique influence Chesapeake College has on health
care in the area and the important investment the College is for the future of the Eastern Shore.
Alan Stein, Business Owner, Tanglewood Conservatories: Mr. Stein stated that as a business owner in
Caroline County, he is aware of the need to have successful employees to operate small business and
provide a high-quality workforce. He went on to explain the importance of funding Chesapeake College
to allow county citizens the powerful resources to achieve skills to develop their careers. Mr. Stein
expressed the importance of programs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMP) that will
teach students skills for the workforce, and strongly encouraged the Commissioners to fund Chesapeake
College in their FY17-18 budget.
Amanda Showell, Executive Director, Caroline County Humane Society: Ms. Showell thanked the
Commissioners for their continued support to the Caroline County Humane Society throughout the years.
She stated that the Humane Society is requesting an $11,000 budget increase to help with the new
minimum wage mandate and to replace broken equipment for the Animal Control Officers.
Bud Lewis, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board: Mr. Lewis stated that he is speaking in support of
the budget request for the Department of Recreation and Parks. He stated that studies have shown families
move to areas that have nice parks and recreational activities for their children, he also added that
normally a community with more recreational activities have a lower incarceration rate.
Vincent Holmes, Caroline County Student: Mr. Holmes thanked the Commissioners for allowing his to
speak and stated the positive impact his 8th grade afterschool programs have had on his life and education.
He stated that he enjoys receiving help on his homework, snacks’ and playing games with friends in a
safe environment.
The Commissioners thanked everyone for their testimony and remarked that all the requests are valid and
the organizations provide excellent services. They stated they would carefully consider the testimony
received as they develop the FY2018 budget.
President Franklin stated that the budget workshops would be held over the next several weeks to develop
the proposed budget, which are all open to the public. He encouraged attendees to check the weekly
agenda posted on the County’s website for more information on the workshops. He stated that the second
and final public hearing is scheduled for May 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., at the Greensboro Volunteer Fire
Company Community Hall, 13781 Greensboro Road, Greensboro. President Franklin stated that the
purpose of the hearing is to present the proposed annual County operating and capital budgets, to hold
Constant Yield Tax Rate hearing, and the Municipal Tax Differential rate hearing. He thanked the
speakers for their testimony, and the audient for their attendance.
There being no further comments the Commissioners adjourned the budget hearing at 7:35 p.m., and
stated they would take a brief recess before convening the annual Municipal Property Tax Differential
meeting.
ANNUAL MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX DIFFERENTIAL MEETING
At 8:00 p.m. the Commissioners convened the annual Municipal Property Tax Differential meeting with
representatives from Preston and Ridgely. There were no representatives from Denton, Greensboro, or
Federalsburg present for the meeting.
Mr. Decker, County Administrator, opened the discussion and stated that in the State of Maryland,
counties are either required to or may grant tax differential rebates on property taxes. He stated Caroline
is a “may” county and that the County had provided a differential for many years, with the current
formula based on police protection. The five smallest towns Hillsboro, Goldsboro, Henderson,
Templeville, and Marydel do not receive a differential because it is based on police protection, and they
do not provide that service. However, they receive planning and hold harmless grants from the County,
and Mr. Decker stated his recommendation was to continue to fund those grants, and to fund the formula
for the differential He also noted that under the formula, as the Commissioners increase the number of
deputies, it raises the County’s level of service, which results in a greater differential, or tax break, for
town residents.
The formula proposes the following differential rates for FY2018:
Town
Property Tax
Balancing
Rate Discount Payment (Est)
Denton
$0.07
$13,383.90
Federalsburg
$0.09
$14,593.67
Greensboro
$0.07
$12,509.19
Preston
$0.03
0
Ridgely
$0.07
$1,502.06
President Franklin called for comments on this year’s differential.
Anthony Casey, Ridgely Commissioners, stated that the differential value doesn’t equal the cost of
operating Ridgely’s police force. Therefore, if the town were to eliminate the service, it could cut the
town tax rate by more than the value of the differential, and the County would have to pick up the
additional burden and cost of providing services within the town via the Sheriff’s Office. He noted that
he would never propose this, since he feels that it would have a negative impact on the Town. and he is
confident in the Town of Ridgley’s police department. However, he felt the example illustrates the
shortcoming of the differential formula from the Town’s perspective. . Mr. Decker noted that the
difference in the cost was because the formula is based on the County’s level of service, not the town’s
level of service.
Stephanie Berkey, Clerk, Town of Ridgely, asked the Commissioners why the Towns had to submit a
differential packet with such details on all departments of the Towns, when the differential is set each
year by an established formula based only on law enforcement. Ms. Visintainer stated that State law
requires the towns who want to receive a differential to provide detailed information on the nature and
scope of all services they believe to be duplicated. She noted that while the Commissioners could state
they are willing to accept less information from the towns, if they ever wanted to change the formula of
the differential to include more than the police, they would have all the data they need if the towns
continue to provide legally sufficient requests.
The Town of Preston stated that they were happy with the formula now and had no comments.
President Franklin stated that in the future the Commissioners may consider adding animal control fees to
the differential due to the high percentage of municipalities that use the service. Commissioner Casey
stated that the Town of Ridgely already funds part of animal control at the Caroline County Humane
Society, and that it would have a positive outcome if other towns gave a percentage as well. The
Commissioners asked if there were any further comments from the two towns that came to the meeting,
and there was none
The Commissioners unanimously adjourned their meeting at 8:25 p.m.
____________________________
Jennifer M. Farina
Administrative Coordinator