We were reminded at the May 2 meeting (and again at the public hearings that day) that Bill 1529 to adopt the County’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget will be voted upon on May 23.

With moments to spare after the meeting and before the first hearing, County Manager Clay Stamp took this opportunity to thank Finance Director Martha Sparks, Assistant Director Kaitlin Foster-Clark, Assistant County Manager Jessica Morris, and the Council and staff and everyone who had contributed to completing this task.

The proposed FY 2024 budget of $128,849,000, up $16,241,621 from the FY 2023 approved budget of $112,607,379, maintains the county’s strong focus upon public safety and education and prioritizes capital improvements for required infrastructure and mandated services.

Funded to Blueprint requirements and above Maintenance of Effort, Education remains the County’s largest expense. Projected to be 43.7% of FY 2024 general fund expenditures and having been budgeted at 48.9% for FY 2023, capital improvements including sewer modifications and extensions, road repairs and issues of employee recruitment and retention had also become matters of consequence.

Talbot’s real property tax rate is both the lowest of Maryland’s counties and the County’s largest source of revenue. This rate is up 2% in the proposed FY 2024 budget, accompanied by the one cent increase approved by voters in 2020.

There is also a 4.8% supplement for Education, and the County’s 0.6820 real property tax rate will be raised to 0.7434 per $100. A property assessed at $300,000 would see an increase of $184.

Income taxes are the County’s second largest source of revenue, and an income tax rate of 2.40%, the second lowest among Maryland’s counties, remains unchanged.

Budgeting in a conservative manner by overestimating expenses and underestimating revenues to maintain a healthy fund balance provides the County’s third largest source of funds. Then there are also service charges, license fees, and grants and transfers from other funds.

It cannot be easy to both cope with a 2% cap on the county’s largest source of revenue and pay down debt, but this is being accomplished. Both Moody’s and Fitch have praised these efforts, and the modest crowd attending these hearings offered well-deserved thanks.

Sheriff Joe Gamble, Neighborhood Service Center Chair Frank Divilio, Mr. Coppersmith of Chesapeake College, Dana Newman of the Easton Free Library, Vice President Robert Fortoney of Talbot County Libraries, and Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, Sharon Pepukayi all expressed their gratitude.

Council President Callahan expressed his appreciation for this opportunity to get to know Superintendent Pepukayi and the budget staff over the past few months. He then smiled and thanked them “for not attacking us yet.”

A spirit of levity now prevailed, and Council Vice President Lesher, recognizing the effort put into this mission over the past several months, offered his thanks to a county staff with “sharp pencils.”

Reminded once again that Bill 1529 to adopt the Proposed FY 2024 Budget could be approved at the May 23 meeting, County Manager Stamp mentioned that he “wouldn’t live anywhere but Talbot County.”

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.

Having been through several weeks of budget planning, the council was familiar with this issue and pleased to raise the monthly 911 call rate from $.75 to $1.50. As discussed during budget presentations, this fee hadn’t been raised in 19 years. Public safety is a priority; and this increase may not cover all expenses, but it moves us in a positive direction.

Then following an update from Easton Airport at the April 25 council meeting, the Airfield Modernization Program was presented. With safety as a priority, runways will become longer. The outdated business center will also be demolished and replaced, and electricity usage will be reduced by 30%. Drain pipes will also be replaced. Impervious surfaces will be reduced; and with the county’s approval, all of this will happen over six years for $52 million, or possibly more now.

Talbot’s FY 2023 budget was $112.6 million. The FY 2024 proposed is $128.8 million. That’s up approximately 14%. Revenues are also up 14.7%. There’s a surplus; but more importantly, the council was also informed that the FAA will cover 90% of these costs, whatever they may be. Grants could cover more, and the airport will cover any remaining expenses.

Reassured that Easton Airport has planned adequately, and that it is self-sustaining and able to meet its obligations, requests were approved for permission to apply for FAA grant funding; and contingent upon that funding, hire a consultant and a contractor for this major safety and technology upgrade.

A $52 million price tag would understandably cause concern. Funded above Maintenance of Effort in FY 2023 for $50.2 million, Education is our county’s largest and most debated expenditure. Now with a mandated increase of $4.1 million for FY 2024 and little choice regarding funding levels (whichever is higher, MOE or Blueprint), $54.3 million is proposed for FY 2024.

There is an Education Supplement of $3.9 million, but those funds can be used only for education. That was mentioned several times during budget deliberations.

There’s $900,000 for renovations at Chapel Elementary, and $286,000 for social workers has been mentioned. $86,129 for additional school nurses is budgeted as a Health expenditure, but thank goodness the state covers most of those expenses. Healthcare is our county’s largest employer.

Property taxes are our county’s largest source of revenue. Those rates are the lowest in the state; and with a revenue cap of 2% and few exceptions, overestimating expenses and underestimating revenues is providing a healthy balance and rainy day funds.

Unexpended funds are our county’s third highest source of revenue for FY 2024 in Budget and Appropriation Ordinance 1529 currently under consideration – just after property and income taxes.

But with a balance of over $60 million mentioned recently and just under $20 million included as FY2024 revenue, ample funding should remain. We seem to be headed in a positive direction.

Maintaining public safety and an infrastructure that supports a healthy and dynamic economy, County Engineer Ray Clarke is planning roadway improvements near the airport and at several other intersections down Rt. 50. Also addressing wastewater treatment issues throughout the county, this evening he was granted permission to apply for a wastewater treatment grant, and a housing bond allocation was addressed.

Upon closing the meeting, Council President Callahan reiterated that great things are going on at the airport, and the council will keep the public informed in a more festive manner in the future. Budget deliberations will be over soon.

The coming week will be busy. The next council meeting will be at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, May 2, and the FY 2024 budget hearing will be held at 2 pm at the Bradley Meeting Room and at 7 pm at the Easton Elementary cafeteria.

Residents of Easton will also be voting for mayor and Wards 1 and 3 town council members at the Easton Volunteer Firehouse on May 2 from 7 am to 8 pm.

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.

You may have seen this resolution introduced by council member Lynn Mielke at the February 28 meeting. A public hearing will be held for Resolution 338 in the Bradley Meeting Room at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 11:

A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY WATER AND SEWER PLAN FOR CONSISTENCY WITH DISCHARGE PERMIT NO. 19-DP-3460, ISSUED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON OCTOBER 27, 2022, AND TO REQUIRE THAT ANY FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE NEW LAKESIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SHALL REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CWSP.

We’ve heard of the CWSP (County Water and Sewer Plan), but what would we ever do without county engineer Ray Clarke? The plan’s mission includes the implementation of policies that “protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of Talbot County and neighboring jurisdictions by improving or maintaining sanitary conditions of water resources.” With pages of sewer extensions and funding projects, it surely couldn’t hurt to be reminded of Maryland Environmental Code for spray irrigation.

The county is the authority for wastewater treatment throughout the county, but Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has jurisdiction over counties. There may not be much going on with Lakeside, now that Permit 19-DP-3460 has been issued, but with pages of amendments that include reclassifying two parcels of property on Matthewstown Rd., Resolution 338 would seem similarly instructive.

County Attorney Patrick Thomas confirmed that Resolution 338 would incorporate provisions of the discharge permit issued into the CWSP, and noted that these “terms are actually a bit more restrictive than those currently in the plan.”

Helpful references to Maryland Environmental Code are provided throughout the narrative portion of Resolution 338, and Ms. Mielke summarized her decision to offer this resolution with a brief description of factors motivating her review of existing legislation: “There was a lot of controversy over Resolution 281. At one point the planning commission rescinded it. There were a lot of proposals for amendments, for changes to it; and as it turned out, when MDE issued the permit, it had listened to the concerns Talbot County citizens had over the nature and extent of the development and sewer plan. So it seemed to me, and to others that I spoke with, that doing an amendment to 281 that tracked the permit that MDE wrote, which was more restrictive, was the way to go.…I thought that that we should introduce this and track, as MDE will, how this development will go, as far as the sewer plan. And if it requires reining in at any point, the county will have the ability to have some input and control over protecting the environment and citizens of Talbot County…That’s it.”

Back in 2020 Ray Clarke reported to the council that Lakeside “is six times the size of the full buildout in Easton Village,” which began its build in 2006. “And how in the world can Trappe, being the small town that it is, have 2,501 homes built here?” Clarke asked in an interview. The Environmental Article of Maryland Annotated Code requires counties to be responsible for “overseeing the planning, financing, construction and operation of sewerage systems,” and the public must also be involved.

Talbot County Council President Chuck Callahan joined Easton Mayor Willey to greet Governor Wes Moore shortly after noon at Rise Up Coffee on Dover Rd. Having spent a fair amount of time on the Eastern Shore during his campaign and just enjoyed lunch at Out of the Fire on Valentine’s Day, he promised we’d be seeing a lot more of him.

At the council meeting that evening we were reminded of other reasons to appreciate Talbot County. County Health Officer Maria Maguire, MD, reminded us that our life expectancy is 79.4 years here and 78.6 in the rest of Maryland. 30% of our population is over age 65, versus 16% in the rest of Maryland.

We do have more smoking, higher rates of alcoholism and more car accidents, but case rates are down for Covid, Avian Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Approximately 30% of our residents have received the flu vaccine; an RSV vaccine is on its way. And Covid and flu vaccines will remain free as long as current supplies last.

Council member Dave Stepp noted that there doesn’t seem to be much activity at the Covid Center on Marlboro. He wondered if the facility is needed any longer.

Dr. Maguire noted that the center is funded by federal funds. It is also in the process of scaling back; and absent any change in current trends, will very likely close at the end of this fiscal year in June.

Questioned also as to whether vaccination rates are down due to side effects, Dr. Maguire explained that while there can be side effects, risk/benefit calculations are clear. Vaccination protects us from far worse “effects” suffered absent the vaccine.

On to Economic Development and Tourism with Director Cassandra Vanhooser. $3.23 million will be invested in 14 regional and 5 county projects, and $1.75 million has been allocated to broadband in Talbot County. “Councilman Pete Lesher led this effort.”

“Broadband is so important to the economic future of Talbot County,” and “councilwoman Keasha Haythe can tell us about small business assistance.” We were also informed of toolkits, surveys, monthly reports, manufacturing dashboards; and, perhaps not surprisingly, international recognition for these efforts.

A business resource fair is currently being planned, and Talbot County Tourism is launching a Frederick Douglass website. “We’re hoping it will be ready today, on his birthday.” And “this Saturday at 3 PM there will be a flag-raising and ribbon cutting for the Frederick Douglass mural.”

Council member Keasha Haythe appreciated their efforts, and fellow council members echoed this sentiment.

Dave Stepp also offered congratulations for the filing of Certificates of Need, and he had one question. Concerning the partnership formed with Mid-Shore Community Foundation in 2021 to award $50 gift cards for receiving vaccines, “Are there any plans for that in the future?”

Director Vanhooser said there were no plans for that. They partnered with Mid-Shore as a conduit to businesses. “We wanted to help our businesses,” and “something perceived as overly political wouldn’t be done.”

Council member Stepp replied, “Those decisions are between families and their physicians.”

Recognizing first and foremost that a parent’s permission is required, and was required, President Callahan cleared the air. He thanked Cassandra and suggested, “We need to stand and give her an applause.”

Then on to a legislative matter, the introduction of an administrative resolution to repeal a resolution adopted on August 25, 2020. Attorney Patrick Thomas explained that this resolution had been passed in support of the governor’s executive order to wear a face covering which has since “been rescinded and is no longer enforced in the state.”

Dave Stepp suggested this was “just a matter of good legislative hygiene.”

Pete Lesher observed, “This was a feckless piece of legislation that ceded very little.” The administrative resolution was passed unanimously, and the air may be cleared?

Several board and committee appointments were approved. A Department of Corrections’ request to replace HVAC condenser coils offered Chuck Callahan an opportunity to praise the department’s rehabilitation efforts. And council member Keasha Haythe offered assistance.

Concerning the approval of fee increases for Hog Neck golf course, council member Lynn Mielke requested a comparison of rates. She also requested information regarding the difference in lifespan for artificial slate versus real slate for reroofing portions of the Talbot County Courthouse.

Pete Lesher was familiar with 10-year-old equipment to be replaced in the Talbot County Free Library. Every request was approved this evening, and our county manager smiled and said, “The best part of my job is to work with such incredible department heads.”

Dave Stepp’s closing statement  included his observation that “the council’s been busy,” and “a lot of great things are happening.”

Pete Lesher will be on Capitol Hill for Museum Advocacy Day, but should be back for the next meeting.

Chuck Callahan thanked everyone for “a really great meeting.” Lots of information. And “the hard work is appreciated.”

Lynn Mielke wished everyone a “Happy Valentine’s Day” and suggested, “Let’s go eat chocolate.”

Keasha Haythe responded, “I’ll second that!”

The meeting adjourned These are just highlights. The meeting video is available at talbotcountymd.gov.

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.

The Talbot County Comprehensive Plan’s mission is to “preserve the rural and agricultural character of the area while promoting economic development and protecting the environment in natural resources so that the special quality of life we enjoy remains intact.”

Spray wastewater technology for 54 residences on 480 acres having been in and out of compliance over the past two decades, Talbot County is taking over spray wastewater treatment for the Preserve at Wye Mills. And so it’s hardly any wonder that Lakeside’s proposal for 2,500 residences on 865 acres concerns us.

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) shares these concerns, having approved 100,000 gallons per day of sprayed wastewater serving approximately 400 homes in Lakeside, as opposed to the 540,000 gallons requested to serve 2,500 residences.

With hopes that a Reset Lakeside Resolution would be introduced at the county council meeting on Tuesday, a rally was held at the courthouse on Saturday, January 21. The resolution offered logically proposed that since the planning commission’s certification is required for a resolution to be passed by the council and their certification has been rescinded, Resolution 281 should also be rescinded.

Had their rescission occurred before Resolution 281 was passed by the council, there would be no problem. But having initially found Resolution 281 to be compliant with Talbot County’s Comprehensive Plan, it was passed by the council on August 11, 2020. Presented with additional information, the planning commission rescinded its certification on December 13, 2021. A year and a half may be nothing in a 20-year saga, but having granted rights for legal decisions and actions complicates matters.

The January 24 county council meeting included the introduction of new Board of Elections Director Tammy Stafford, a presentation by the Bellevue Passage Museum, requests for architectural and engineering services for the public safety complex, and retirement benefits for county EMTs, all followed by public comments in support of Reset Lakeside and the closing statements of our county council.

James Smullen shared comments submitted by supporters, mentioned a Reset Lakeside rally scheduled for February 4, and summarized by suggesting we “do the right thing.”

Having grown up on a farm in Trappe, William Turner recalled the east side of Route 50 being reserved for farming. That may have contributed to objections to the Lakeside development beginning two decades ago, but the town of Trappe’s current wastewater treatment concerns him now.

Retired development planning executive Tom Dennis politely insisted that the county must “get on with the business of planning.” With concerns for schools, the medical community, and public safety, he recommended the adoption of an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.

Susan DuPont suggested that Reset Lakeside presented opportunities to work with the Town of Trappe, and a resident of St. Michaels was concerned by Wye Mills’ record of noncompliance and years of pollution.

Chuck Powers, retired hydraulic engineer and resident of Talbot County, is concerned not only “where the water is going, but where it is coming from,” and some questionable data reported.

Bob Flowers’ commentary would be “short and sweet.” He suggested that 2,500 residences is “simply insane.” Closing statements from the council followed.

Council member Dave Stepp reported meeting with the Board of Education, Board of Elections, Parks and Recreation, and Community Center. Ice rink repairs are nearing completion, and “we should have ice this week.”

Keasha Haythe cited community efforts in support of the recent Martin Luther King Basketball Classic and Business Resources Fair and expressed concerns regarding Reset Lakeside communications.

Having sought legal counsel and MDE’s guidance, Vice President Pete Lesher has been advised that the planning commission’s rescission of its certification of Resolution 281 should have been made before the council’s approval. Likewise, Lakeside’s current permit cannot be rescinded now. But Lakeside has been delivered a setback, and we must recognize what can still be accomplished.

Lynn Mielke concurred that “our glass may be half full,” but MDE’s permit is “a win for slowing Lakeside’s progress.” The council is committed to keeping an eye on this development and exploring options.

Council President Chuck Callahan commended Vice President Lesher for his efforts and reminded us that we’re going to have a new comprehensive plan. “This council is going to take care of the county and do the best we can.”

Three phases of development are planned, but Lakeside has been put on a short leash, at least for now. 400 of 505 homes planned for phase one are currently permitted, but MDE has confirmed that further development requires permit modification and additional public scrutiny is welcomed.

The county must also approve additional wastewater treatment plans, as the County Water and Sewer Plan must be amended for change in land classification in order to become eligible for connection to a wastewater treatment plant.

Resolution 281 states, “Before the County Council may adopt the proposed amendment, the Talbot County Planning Commission must certify that the amendment is consistent with the 2016 Talbot County Comprehensive Plan.”

The 2016 comprehensive plan requires state of the art wastewater treatment for new development in Talbot County. As the passage of time can make a difference, the amendment submitted for the rescission of Resolution 281 by Talbot Integrity Project will not be considered. But resolutions the council could pass and support of our comprehensive plan are always welcomed.

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.