Annual State of Carroll County Maryland luncheon sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
Commissioners claim
successes
Friday, January 14, 2005
Labels: Bus Carroll Co Chamber Commerce, Carroll Co Commissioners, Carroll Co Commissioners State of the County address
Update:
http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/01/attending-annual-chamber-of-commerce.html
Carroll County saw considerable successes last year in areas
such as farmland preservation and protecting valuable water supplies, but much
work remains to be done.
Speaking at the annual State of the
County luncheon sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, County
Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge said Carroll is among the top in the state for
farmland preservation, and the water resource ordinance enacted last year was
recognized by the federal government's Environmental Protection Agency as one
of the best in the region.
But Commissioner Dean L. Minnich said other projects, such as paving gravel roads and providing relief to overburdened volunteer firefighters, are being squeezed as state legislators force unfunded mandates onto county government.
"It's commendable that the state wants [to reduce expenses], but while they are clearing the books, they are not clearing expenses," he said.
But Commissioner Dean L. Minnich said other projects, such as paving gravel roads and providing relief to overburdened volunteer firefighters, are being squeezed as state legislators force unfunded mandates onto county government.
"It's commendable that the state wants [to reduce expenses], but while they are clearing the books, they are not clearing expenses," he said.
Minnich cited a proposal to transfer
pension liabilities for the county's school and library workers from the state
to the county as an example. If the proposal goes through, he said, the county
would take on approximately $14 million in added expenses every year.
State legislation requiring reduced elementary class sizes will require a nearly 10 percent expansion in classroom space in county schools, he said.
County Budget Director Ted Zaleski, speaking after the luncheon, said the required expansion would be the equivalent of two new elementary schools.
Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff said city government also struggles with unfunded mandates from state government.
"It's robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said. "The key thing is to educate state legislators about the effect [unfunded mandates] have on local governments."
Commissioner Perry L. Jones Jr. said still another source of financial pressure on county government is maintaining the current level of services in our growing communities. For instance, he said, the county's desire to increase Carroll's police presence by about 32 officers, which he said would help Carroll maintain its ranking as one of the safest in the state. But hiring that many officers would cost about $3 million per year, he said.
Minnich said county officials have been told that additional troopers will not be added to the county's resident trooper program despite continued growth here. This means the county will have to expand local law enforcement agencies, creating another expense.
Despite the financial pressures, the county government has managed its finances well, earning a bond rating even better than the state's because of its sound practices, Minnich said.
"They don't give this kind of rating to people who don't know how to run a conservative, frugal, and efficient operation," he said.
Reach staff writer Chris Amos at 410-751-5908 or amosc@lcniofmd.com.
State legislation requiring reduced elementary class sizes will require a nearly 10 percent expansion in classroom space in county schools, he said.
County Budget Director Ted Zaleski, speaking after the luncheon, said the required expansion would be the equivalent of two new elementary schools.
Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff said city government also struggles with unfunded mandates from state government.
"It's robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said. "The key thing is to educate state legislators about the effect [unfunded mandates] have on local governments."
Commissioner Perry L. Jones Jr. said still another source of financial pressure on county government is maintaining the current level of services in our growing communities. For instance, he said, the county's desire to increase Carroll's police presence by about 32 officers, which he said would help Carroll maintain its ranking as one of the safest in the state. But hiring that many officers would cost about $3 million per year, he said.
Minnich said county officials have been told that additional troopers will not be added to the county's resident trooper program despite continued growth here. This means the county will have to expand local law enforcement agencies, creating another expense.
Despite the financial pressures, the county government has managed its finances well, earning a bond rating even better than the state's because of its sound practices, Minnich said.
"They don't give this kind of rating to people who don't know how to run a conservative, frugal, and efficient operation," he said.
Reach staff writer Chris Amos at 410-751-5908 or amosc@lcniofmd.com.
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