4/25/2007

County budget requests top $197 million
By Bob Lassahn

A panel of six was present for the April 17 regular meeting of the Worcester County Commissioners, with Commissioner Louis Gulyas absent due to medical reasons. Commission President James Purnell assured the public that Ms. Gulyas is on the mend and should take her seat at the next meeting.

Among the scheduled agenda items was a presentation of the Requested FY (fiscal year) 2007/2008 Worcester County Operating Budget. Essentially a first draft, the requested budget will be reviewed and modified by the commissioners in consultation with various department heads until a finalized version is ready for adoption on June 5. The preliminary figures make it obvious the commissioners have their work cut out for them.

Estimated general fund revenues (income) for the coming year are $174.1 million while requested general fund operating expenditures total nearly $197.6 million. The resulting $23.5 million difference must be reconciled by reductions in expenditures, an increase in revenues, or some combination of the two. The adopted budget must be balanced.

The requested operating budget represents an increase in spending of $37.5 million or 27 percent above the approved 2006/2007 budget total of $160.1 million. Estimated revenues for 2007/2008 are anticipated to increase by $14.0 million or eight percent over the current year.

The Board of Education accounts for the largest share of the operating budget. For 2007/2008 the requested budget totals $87.3 million. With an estimated $16.5 million in state funding the county share of the request is $70.8 million, a $6.8 million increase over the current year. The request includes a five percent cost of living increase, step increases for eligible employees and scale adjustments for support employees for a salary package of 7.5 percent.

Also included are 19 new positions and continuation of 3.5 positions formerly funded through grants. The starting pay for new teachers is proposed to increase from $38,086 to $40,390, with salary increases for experienced teachers. In the 2007/2007 Board of Education budget the commissioners funded nearly all of the requested amounts, cutting the request by only $181,000.

Salaries account for about 41 percent of the total budget requests. Traditionally the commissioners provide the same percentage increase to all county employees granted to Board of Education personnel, so the amount of any raises will be a major consideration. A total of 55 new hires amounting to $1.4 million are included in the budget request, 22.5 new employees for the Board of Education and 32.5 new employees for county departments and agencies.

Upon receiving the budget package Commissioner Purnell commented that it is not the worst case the commission has had to deal with over the years and expressed confidence in successfully managing the task. He also lamented that Worcester County receives minimal state dollars for education based on current formulas that deem the county one of the wealthiest. Commissioner Robert Cowger interjected that he is not inclined to consider raising taxes, requesting and receiving confirmation from County Administrator Gerald Mason that department heads would prioritize their budget requests prior to a series of meetings with the commissioners.

Worcester County currently has the second lowest property tax rate in the state, set at $0.70 per $100 of assessed value. During their 2006/2007 budget deliberations the commissioners reduced the rate from the previous $0.73 per $100 benefiting all taxpayers, in addition to adjusting the Homestead Credit cap to three percent from the previous five percent to further benefit those who make the county their primary place of residence. The local income tax rate is set at 1.25 percent, also one of the state's lowest.

Budget review sessions with county departments are scheduled for April 24 and April 25. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 1 at 7 p.m. at Snow Hill High School. Three additional budget work sessions are scheduled for May 16, May 22 and May 29, with final adoption on June 5. All budget work sessions will be held at the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill, are open to the public and begin at 9 a.m.

Other county business of interest:

The commissioners held a public hearing regarding disposal of surplus vehicles and equipment. With no objection forthcoming they voted unanimously to deem 47 vehicles and 13 pieces of equipment no longer required for county use as surplus. Previously such vehicles and equipment were sold at auction, but the commissioners elected to try sale of the items via the Internet. The site may be accessed at www.govdeals.com.

The commissioners reviewed and accepted a proposed mosquito control budget from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The county will be responsible for $170,200 of the total $517,800 budget for the 2007 season, with the state picking up $264,200 and local jurisdictions the remainder. Ocean Pines share continues at the same $15,000 amount as in 2006.

The commissioners approved a bid of $1.4 million from George and Lynch, Inc. of Delaware to begin construction on the first phase of the U.S. Route 50 service road. This phase will be focused on realignment of the Holly Grove Road intersection and installation of additional lanes on Route 50. The U.S. Route 50 Service Road will eventually stretch between Holly Grove Road and Seahawk Road on the south side of Route 50, providing access to the commercial areas.

The commissioners authorized repairs to a failing drain pipe under Manklin Creek Road. The pipe equalizes water levels between the larger South Gate Pond and a smaller pond behind the commercial strip. After exploring several options the Department of Public Works (DPW) endorsed placing a sleeve into the existing pipe. The option is considerably cheaper, totaling about $20,000, than boring under the roadway and will not result in the disruption to traffic that a road cut would entail. Passed as an emergency measure, repairs to the pipe could be complete within one month according to DPW Director John Tustin.


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