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COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 13, 2008
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in session for a public hearing on the constant yield tax rate and public hearing on the FY09 budget at the County Administration Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd, Elkton, MD. The following members of the Board were present:
William C. Manlove, President Mark H. Guns, Vice President Rebecca J. Demmler, Commissioner Brian Lockhart, Commissioner Wayne L. Tome, Sr., Commissioner
Constituting a full Board.
The meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County, May 13, 2008 was called to order by Commissioner Manlove at 2:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARINGS -
CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE HEARING
Craig Whiteford, Budget Manager, opened the public hearing by reading the public notice that was published in the Cecil Whig regarding the constant yield tax rate for the FY09 budget. The proposed tax rate is $.96 of $100 of assessed value, which is ten percent higher than the constant yield tax rate suggested by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
PUBLIC COMMENT -
President William Manlove opened the floor for public comment. The following list of individuals spoke in opposition for various reasons to the proposed tax rate increase for FY09:
Dorsey Brandenburg, 226 Fineburg Rd, North East, MD Nancy Wells, 105 James Street, Elkton, MD Richard and Margaret Glover, 217 Holly wood Beach Rd., Chesapeake City, MD John and Kathy Gray, 60 Brown Rd., Perryville, MD John and Elaine Viars, 484 Elk Forest Rd., Elkton, MD Robert Baker, 91 Ridgerun Rd., North East, MD Jean Whitsell, 372 Principio Rd., Port Deposit, MD Mary Benvegno, 323 Red Point Rd., North East, MD Marlene Bradley, 304 Union Church Rd., Elkton, MD Betty Philhower, 100 Pheasant Dr., Elkton, MD Michele Guns, 63 Alda Dr., Elkton, MD Russell Bruette, 4676 Augustine Herman Hwy., Earleville, MD Mike Merrill, 23 Riverview Ave., Chesapeake City, MD Richard Boyle, 105 Gilpin Ave., Elkton, MD Ronald Creeger, 550 Wilson Rd., Rising Sun, MD Jean Gibson, 159 Simmers Rd., Rising Sun, MD Paul Wilson, 3257 Turkey Pt. Rd., North East, MD Clarence Delp, 8 Falls Rd., North East, MD Vernon Tome, North East, MD Ben Cook, 243 Patriots Way, Elkton, MD Diana Broomell, 1000 Nesbitt Rd., Colora, MD Dave Eubanks, 111 Old York Ct., North East, MD Chester and Charlotte Hallett, 115 Mason Lane, North East, MD Gaylord Moody, Elkton, MD
President William Manlove closed the floor for public comment and requested a motion from the Board.
Vice President Mark Guns made a motion to approve a Resolution, Property Tax Rate to reduce the tax rate one cent per year for five consecutive years starting in FY 2009 at a tax rate of $.96 per $100 of assessed valuation of property and ending in FY 2013 at a tax rate of $.91 per $100 of assessed valuation of property. The motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Wayne Tome made a motion to approve the Cecil County tax rate for FY09 at $.96 per $100 of assessed valuation of property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Demmler.
Commissioner Guns stated that his Resolution is a reasonable and responsible approach to off-set double digit assessment increases and will not adversely affect the county's ability to provide services. He stated that he would not support keeping the tax rate at $.96. He apologized to the other Commissioners for not bringing this Resolution to them for more discussion prior to submitting it for approval at this public hearing.
Commissioner Demmler stated that this budget process was extremely difficult and the county must continue to provide critical services to citizens. She stated that she feels it would be impractical and impossible to drop the current tax rate all the way to the constant yield rate at one time.
VOTE: Manlove Y, Guns N, Demmler Y, Lockhart Y, Tome Y
Commissioner Manlove called for a ten minute break. Commissioner Manlove called the meeting back to order at 3:45 p.m. for the public hearing on the FY09 budget.
PUBLIC HEARINGS -
FY 2009 CECIL COUNTY BUDGET
Budget Manager Craig Whiteford presented an overview of the FY09 proposed budget.
PUBLIC COMMENT -
President William Manlove opened the floor for public comment. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the proposed tax rate, proposed increases in FY09 budget, and in support of providing funding for non-profit agency requests:
Zach Rothwell, Cecil College, One Seahawk Drive, North East Rich Bayer, Upper Bay Counseling & Support Services, 200 Booth Street, Elkton Diana Broomell, 1000 Nesbitt Rd., Colora, MD Linda Elwood, 165 Chandlee Rd., Rising Sun, MD Bob Brennen, 205 Booth Street, Elkton, MD Reverend Bert Jicha, 306 Cherry Hill Rd., Elkton, MD Larry Klevans, Cecil County Public Library, Newark Ave., Elkton, MD Doris Bixler, 80 Kennedy Blvd., Elkton, MD Howard Isenberg, Family Services, 718 Bridge Street, Elkton, MD Cindy Smith, Cecil Partnerships for Children, Youth & Families, 110 E. Main St, Elkton, MD Stephanie Garrity, Health Department, 401 Bow Street, Elkton, MD Robin Griffin, Family Services, 718 Bridge Street, Elkton, MD
President William Manlove stated that the Commissioners would take all comments under consideration. The FY09 budget will be approved at the May 20, 2008 Commissioners meeting in Charlestown.
There being no further business of the County Commissioners, the meeting concluded.
_____________________________ Alfred C. Wein, Jr. County Administrator
Approved:
____________________________ William C. Manlove, President > |