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September 22, 2023

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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Stamp Will be New County Manager as Hollis Set to Return to Nonprofit Sector

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County Manager Andrew Hollis is stepping down at year’s end to return to the nonprofit sector and the county council has named Clay Stamp as his replacement.

The Talbot County Council announced the news in a Thursday morning press release.

Andy Hollis

Hollis has served a total of 17 years as county manager — from 1999 to 2010 and again from Dec. 15, 2014, until he leaves the post on Dec. 31, 2020.

He served as an elected member of the county council during the gap in his tenure as county manager, including one year as vice president. During that time, he also worked as assistant chief operating officer for Delmarva Community Services from 2010-12 and as executive director of Londonderry Retirement Community from 2012-14.

Hollis was the county’s assistant planning officer from 1985-89 and St. Michaels town manager from 1991-99.

“Andy’s efforts have made our job all the easier, and his counsel has been greatly appreciated,” Council President Corey W. Pack said in a statement. “He has gone above and beyond in fulfillment of his duties. The council wishes him all the best as he closes this chapter in county government and enters the nonprofit sector.”

“It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Talbot County,” Hollis said in a statement to The Talbot Spy. “I consider the county incredibly fortunate to have someone of Clay Stamp’s caliber step into the position. In addition the county’s department heads are well equipped to carry on and second to none in dedication to our citizens and their needs.”

Clay Stamp

Stamp, who currently serves as the county’s emergency services director and assistant county manager, will be county manager effective Jan. 1. He previously has served as county manager on an interim basis.

Stamp served 27 years as the emergency management director for Ocean City, Md., and has served in several senior level state positions in emergency management and homeland security.

“Clay’s demeanor, attitude, and approach to day-to-day operations will serve the council, the county, and its employees well,” Pack said. “He will assist the council as it deals with a variety of challenges in the years to come, in both the budgetary and legislative arenas.

“The budgetary responsibility of the county council is one of its most important functions. Clay has been a part of a number of previous budget processes, and that historical knowledge will be invaluable,” Pack said. “In general, Clay’s past service, as both county manager and director of emergency services/assistant county manager, will allow this council to continue moving forward with the job of doing the people’s business.”

“I am most appreciative of this opportunity given me by the county council,” Stamp said in a statement. “It is both a privilege and an honor to step back into the position of county manager to serve the citizens of Talbot County. This council is a group of dedicated, experienced, and enthusiastic individuals who work for the betterment of the county. I again appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Stamp also notes that the quality of the county’s department heads is second to none, and that it is a privilege to again work
with them in providing public service of the highest level.

“Andy Hollis has done a terrific job as county manager, and has set the bar high with his team’s many accomplishments,” Stamp said. “I look forward to working with Andy and the department heads in what I anticipate will be a very
smooth transition as the new county manager.”

Per the Talbot County Charter, the county manager is appointed on the basis of education and professional experience in executive and administrative affairs, and is the chief administrative officer of the county. Under the direction of the Council, the county manager directs and supervises the administration of all agencies of the county government, except as
otherwise provided by charter or by law.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot Voters Will Decide on Proposed Changes to Tax Cap

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This video is about 17 minutes long.

Talbot voters will decide on two substantive changes to the county’s property tax revenue cap and a third measure that would correct faulty language in the current tax cap, which was approved by voters in 1996.

Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Emergency Services Director Clay Stamp have been leading the charge in seeking voter approval for the ballot questions.

The public safety officials say the existing cap has limited the county’s ability to attract and retain deputies, paramedics, and other first responders.

Salaries and benefits for first responders are lower than in surrounding counties, the two have said, making it difficult to find new hires for open positions and leading to trained staffers leaving for better compensation packages elsewhere.

The county also needs to build a new office for the sheriff’s office and the county health department, as well as provide an additional substation for paramedics, officials have noted.

Question B on the ballot for Talbot County voters is a charter amendment that would clarify how the county computes the property tax rate.

The current language, in Section 614 of the Talbot County Charter, identifies the properties included in the calculation as those “existing on the County real property tax rolls at the commencement of the County fiscal year.”

But that wording does not accurately reflect how the information is determined.

The county finance department actually uses the constant yield tax rate certification supplied by the state to determine the tax rate needed to comply with the tax cap.

Question B would amend the language to change it to those properties “included in the Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification prepared by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.”

According to the League of Women Voters (LWV) analysis in the voters’ guide at vote411.org:

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to clarify that the County would use the Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification supplied by the State when determining the property tax rate to be used in the new fiscal year.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the inaccurate wording would remain in the Charter.”

This video is about 20 minutes long.

Question C would amend the tax cap by eliminating a reference to the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U). The existing property tax revenue cap limits the annual increase in property tax revenues to 2% or CPI-U, whichever is less.

Question C would eliminate CPI-U, which in some years has been less than 2%, further restricting the county’s ability to increase revenues to fund needed services and capital projects.

Since the current tax cap took effect in 1997, the increase in property tax revenues has been limited below 2% during nine fiscal years (with an average increase of 1%) and has been limited to 2% during 15 fiscal years (when CPI-U increased an average 2.78%), according to the LWV voters guide.

“This means that nine times the revenue cap has kept pace with the yearly national rate of inflation, but it has also been less than the national rate of inflation 15 times,” according to the League of Women Voters. “This resulting constriction of tax revenue leaves the County with insufficient revenue to fund all of the budget requests from County departments. While County services have continued to be funded, funding has not addressed all of the needs of the County and has left County departments with unfunded needs. Eliminating the CPI-U alternative would help County services over the long term keep pace with fixed costs and growing needs.

“County salaries and benefits, especially for public safety and emergency services employees, are not competitive with surrounding counties causing Talbot County the loss of valuable, trained personnel to those jurisdictions. For example, Talbot County loses several deputies every year, and it costs the County $97,482 for the first year of a newly trained deputy.”

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to eliminate the use of the CPI-U as an alternate to the 2% cap on tax revenue, leaving the cap on tax revenue at 2% going forward.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the CPI-U would continue as an alternate to the 2% cap on tax revenue.”

Question D would allow the county council to temporarily increase the property tax rate above the revenue cap by up to one cent per $100 of assessed value for five years only.

A one cent increase in the property tax rate would cost the owner of a home assessed at $250,000 an additional $25 annually; an additional $50 annually for the owner of a home assessed at $500,000.

Officials have pitched the one cent increase as a way for the county to catch up on lost revenue from the years when CPI-U limited the increase in revenue below 2% and as a way to help fund much-needed capital projects.

“Talbot County’s revenue cap is one of the most restrictive in the State of Maryland, making it extremely difficult for the County to raise sufficient revenue to fund certain initiatives, including key public safety projects, such as a new facility for the Talbot County Sheriff; additional equipment and personnel for the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services; and, a new facility to house the Talbot County Health Department,” according to the League of Women Voters.

In its voter guide, the LWV notes:

“The County Council is, therefore, asking the voters to give the Council authority to increase revenues above the revenue cap, but only temporarily and with a limit of up to one cent (1¢) per one hundred dollars of assessed value. The Charter Amendment would authorize the County Council to raise revenues above the revenue cap by up to one cent (1¢) per one hundred dollars of assessed value for five years only.

“Arguments in Favor: County tax revenues have not kept pace with the rise in County costs to fund the full functioning of all County departmental needs, nor to remain competitive with other counties in our region in attracting and retaining employees,” according to the League of Women Voters. “This means there are fewer dollars available to fund capital projects that this ballot question is meant to address.

“The ability to increase revenues temporarily above the revenue cap would allow the County Council to fund costs anticipated for near-future capital expenses, including the new Sheriff and Health Department buildings and equipment for emergency services. Any temporary rise in tax revenue above the cap would go toward these projects. Increasing revenue now would reduce the cost of borrowing money to fund these needs.

“Arguments Against: This measure is almost sure to be used by the County Council over the next five fiscal years resulting in property taxes that are higher than 2% over the previous year.

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to allow the Council the option of generating revenues above the revenue cap by up to one cent (1¢) per $100 of assessed valuation for the next five fiscal years.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the Charter would not be amended to allow an exception to the cap on tax revenue beyond the limit specified in the Charter.

The Talbot County Democratic Central Committee supports passage of all three tax cap measures, noting on its website:

“Question B will have no impact on property tax rate. This is a technical fix to reflect the way the assessable tax base is determined in the original charter.

“Question C is a permanent change to the way revenue is calculated. We currently use the Urban CPI or 2% whichever is lower. The Urban CPI does not accurately reflect the needs of a rural county.

“Question D is urgent for 2021 Fiscal Year for the County. Based on our population growth, we need more ambulance crews. Currently we cannot guarantee the twenty-minute minimum response time for an ambulance will be met, especially in the north part of the County without a fourth ambulance. This provision would also allow for more competitive pay for first responders.

“This amendment would allow a temporary increase of one penny per hundred dollars of assessed property value. It will provide the funds we need to meet the public safety needs of our citizens. The cost would amount to an annual increase of $25 for a property valued at $250,000 or $50 for a property valued at $500,000.

“The increase ends in five years.”

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Health Officer Eyes Action on Restaurants as Talbot Council Drafts Emergency Bill on COVID-19

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With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Talbot County, the county’s health officer is warning local restaurants refusing to comply with state and county directives that their food service licenses are on the line.

In a July 14 letter and in a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Gov. Larry Hogan urged local officials to take action against non-compliant businesses.

The letter specifically noted reckless behavior at some of the state’s bars and restaurants and expressed concern that cases in the 20- to 40-year-old age group are rising even as Maryland’s COVID-19 metrics have stabilized.

“This tends to be the age of people who have to go to work every day,” Talbot County Health Officer Dr. Fredia Wadley said Wednesday in a statement. “They are often on the front lines, working in positions where they come into contact with the public, and they are more likely to be out socializing after hours and on weekends.”

Wadley met Tuesday with the Talbot County Council, which was sitting as the county’s Board of Health.

She asked elected officials to consider a local mandate to limit the size of gatherings, to require facial coverings for people inside public and retail facilities, and to impose civil penalties on those cited for violations.

Wadley told the board that at least one restaurant has been warned four times about violating the state restrictions.

“We have to recognize that we only have social distancing, facial coverings and hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Wadley said in the statement. “And to ignore these proven practices while this pandemic burns through our country with higher rates every day would be a sign of negligence on the part of any health officer.”

The council voted to have the county attorney draft emergency legislation to provide civil penalties against businesses that fail to comply with COVID-19 orders. That legislation is expected to be considered at the council’s July 28 meeting.

“We are not trying to hurt the business community, but we’re trying to keep people safe,” Council President Corey Pack said in the statement. “Many businesses are operating appropriately, and we want to continue to encourage and work with them. Unfortunately, there are some businesses that are not doing all they can, and we are going to have to address those businesses.”

Education has been the Talbot County Health Department’s first line of defense, according to the Wednesday statement. But as the summer heats up and people become weary of the measures used to curtail the spread of the virus, officials are beginning to consider more stringent measures.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased dramatically since the Independence Day holiday. For several days last week, Talbot County led the state with a positivity rate over 8%, a number that indicates the percentage of the total number of people who were tested and found to be positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Wadley, in the Wednesday statement, noted she has the authority to suspend food licenses of any business with conditions deemed an immediate health threat.

She said restaurants not complying with the governor’s executive order will get a compliance letter warning of a food license suspension.

The order says no one can be served at a bar, patrons must be seated to receive service, and six-foot distancing is required.

Restaurants that continue to violate the order would then have the license suspended.

“We have worked with a number of restaurant owners who are trying to do the right thing,” Wadley said in the statement.  “But we still see people standing shoulder to shoulder in bar areas, tables packed with customers, and people refusing, or simply forgetting, to wear masks.”

Wadley and a team of interagency partners have come together to examine the problem and consider what tools they currently have to address ongoing problems.

The Maryland Code authorizes the local health officers, with authority delegated by the Secretary of Health, to suspend the food license of a facility that has conditions that offer an immediate health threat.

The Maryland Department of Health has encouraged local health officers to have their restaurant inspectors use a COVID-19 checklist on their routine inspections and when they investigate restaurant complaints.

Restaurants that are not in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order concerning restaurants and bars will receive a compliance letter notifying them that if they do not come into compliance that their food  license will be suspended.

The COVID-19 checklist provided by the state will be placed on the Talbot County Health Department website as well as the Talbot COVID 19 website.

Public events that require a temporary license agreement must also be approved by the county health officer.

While outdoor events are 18 times safer than those held indoors, Wadley said, allowing large crowds to gather where social distancing is impossible or unlikely will contribute to the spread of the virus.

The third option for action is that when complaints are received by the county liquor board and the liquor board inspector finds that bars are not following the governor’s executive order, the liquor board could consider suspending the facility’s liquor license.

Emergency Services Director Clay Stamp agrees that it is time to take action.

“Your Emergency Operations Center opened in response to this virus in March, and we have seen amazing things from this community in the face of this public health emergency,” he said in the statement. “But we also recognize that there is an economic component to this problem, and we needed to get our businesses open.

“We want our businesses to be successful. We need them to be successful,” Stamp said. “No one is interested in shutting businesses down, but the fact is we have some businesses that are not in compliance. We need to step forward in a unified way and make some adjustments to maintain a balance between public safety and economic stability.”

For more information about Talbot County’s COVID-19 response, visit talbotcovid19.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.