News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap Up of the Nov 23 County Commissioner Meeting

The November 23rd Commissioner meeting started at 4:45 p.m. with a closed session for Personnel, Consult with Counsel and to Consider a Matter that concerns a Proposal for a business.

Mid-Year Salary Adjustment 

To offset challenges of workforce retention, recruitment and to overcome pressure from other jurisdictions for qualified employees, the Board authorized the County Administrator and the Directors of Human Resources and Budget & Finance to: 

1. Implement a salary adjustment for County Government employees effective in January 2022. 
2. Provide higher entry level salaries for Sheriff Deputies and internally adjust the salaries of existing law enforcement personnel. 

These actions will contribute to the essential and prompt public services will continue without interruption, valued employees will be retained, dedicated new workers can be hired and succession planning can continue within Queen Anne’s County.     APPROVED 5-0

The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:55 p.m.  

ACTION ITEMS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

COMMISSIONER J. WILSON READ 

This is a request to approve the recommendations of the Broadband Advisory Council (BAC) in their selection of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to serve the remaining unserved and underserved areas in Queen Anne's County using the Connect Maryland - FY 22 Network Infrastructure Grant program.  This program is offered by the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband (OSB) as a vehicle for 90% of the funding.  These grants are due 1/14/22.  Based on the selected proposals the total for the grant applications is expected to be $12,726,913.88 with an expected total County contribution of $623,280.74.   APPROVED 5-0

The Department of Emergency Services has been awarded grant funding from the Maryland 9-1-1 Board for $25,685.00.  The purpose of this grant is to procure an FM-200 Clean Agent Suppression System for DES Public Safety Network Backup Center Data/Server Room. DES is recommending use of the State of Maryland DGS contract with BFPE for this purchase.  APPROVED 5-0

The Department of Emergency Services has been awarded grant funding from the Maryland 9-1-1 Board for $37,064.01.  The purpose of this grant is to procure a UPS system for the DES Public Safety Backup Center.  DES is recommending use of the State of Maryland DoIT Hardware 2012 Master Contract for this purchase. APPROVED 5-0

EDT has recently applied for a Eastern Shore Heritage Inc. (ESHI) grant in the amount of $2,000 to fund the creation of a digital app. The first phase of the app will be to adapt, update and upload existing self-guided tours found in the county. Those include the walking tour of downtown historic Stevensville, downtown Centreville, Kent Narrows, as well as the historic sites consortium sites across the county.  Staff recommends support of the grant application for the ESHI Small Grant of $2,000 and sign the attached support letter. APPROVED 5-0

The Department of Parks and Recreation requested bids to replace ten overhead garage doors at 3 separate locations.  The locations include Crumpton, Terrapin and Rt. 18 Shops.  Funding is available in the Capital Budget #40985 Parks Major Maintenance Account.  Staff recommends award of the Overhead Door Replacement Bid to Armin’s Garage Doors, of Queenstown MD for $34,200.00. APPROVED 5-0

This is a request from Queen Anne’s County Public Schools for transfer of funds between major state categories for the period November 3, 2021.

Major Categories: Administration 

Fixed Charges to Administration Salary- $26,933 

To account for employee annual leave payouts 

Major Categories: Student Health Services 

Special Education to Student Health Services— $42,000 

To account for employee annual leave payouts and position reclassification 

Major Categories: Maintenance 

Fixed Charges to Maintenance Salary and Contracted Services- $45,000

To account for employee annual leave payout and fire alarm safety

Major Categories: Capital Outlay 

Reclassifying Capital Outlay Expenditures to Category 15— Capital Outlay $1,420,000

To account for capital expenditures under Capital Outlay APPROVED 5-0

With the current staffing challenges being experienced by the County resulting in shortages in numerous departments, we are reviewing several of our current policies, procedures, and practices.  At this time, we are proposing revising the Vacation Payout Policy to provide the option for employees to be paid out up to 80 hours of vacation leave, up from 40 hours.  This policy revision has been reviewed by the Department Directors, Department of Budget and Finance and our attorney.  APPROVED 5-0

This is a proposed text amendment to Chapter 18 drafted in the form of an Ordinance.  The purpose of the amendment is to change the definition of a “Shooting Club” as set forth in Appendix A to Chapter 18 of the Code of Public Laws of Queen Anne’s County. APPROVED 5-0

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

1. Application for Centreville Wastewater Irrigation Facility
2. QAC Waterman’s Association 2^nd Annual Crab Basket Tree
3. Planning and Zoning Monthly Report October 2021                   
4. QACPS Budget Transfer Notice between Major State Categories
5. Thank you card from Dennis Walls Family                                 
6. Thank you card from Anne VanBenschoten Family                   

PRESENTATIONS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

COMMISSIONER DUMENIL READ

Ms. Janet Salazar – “Building a Thriving Community – Expanding the Kent Island Branch Capital Campaign”     

You can also watch the entire meeting here: https://youtu.be/2EWDDOe3BZw