[00:00:01]
          THREE. GOOD EVENING CHAIR CALLS THE ORDER PUBLIC HEARING FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING, 
          [1. CALL TO ORDER]
UM THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS TO HEAR COMMENTS CONCERNING BILL NUMBER 24-0 14, WHICH IS THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR HARFORD COUNTY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH 2025. AND ALSO RESOLUTION 0 11-24, WHICH PROPOSES N TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT TAX RATE AND RESOLUTION, 0 12-24, WHICH IS THE CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH 2030. THE COUNCIL ALSO ACCEPTS AND WILL CONSIDER WRITTEN TESTIMONY SUBMITTED IN ADDITION TO OR IN LIEU OF A VERBAL TESTIMONY, UH, 
          [2. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS]
MISS DIXON, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? WE DO, MR. PRESIDENT. WE HAVE 14 THIS EVENING. I WOULD SAY, GO AHEAD AND CALL YOUR FIRST SPEAKER AND I WOULD REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE THREE MINUTES A PIECE AND TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER IN HIS CHAMBERS. DAVID BAUER, FOLLOWED BY KIM BRO. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. I'M DAVID BAUER. 2952 KIRKWALL COURT ABINGDON. LAST YEAR, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILT THE COUNTY'S BUDGET BASED ON BAD INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S FINANCIAL STATUS. 
          REMEMBER THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION HAD A $21 MILLION ERROR IN THE FIGURES THEY USED. 
          THIS YEAR, IT APPEARS AGAIN BUILT THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET BASED ON BAD INFORMATION. 
          SPEAKING FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, MR MCCORD SAID QUOTE HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON NEARLY $100 MILLION. IN REALITY ON THE DAY THAT MR CASSY RELEASED HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS ESTIMATING ONLY 30 TO 35 MILLION IN UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE. HAS SINCE GONE UP DUE TO SOME COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SHENANIGANS WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE RATE STABILIZATION FUND. IN MR CASS'S LAST LETTER TO THE BALTIMORE SUN, HE APPEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT , WHICH IS NOW APPROXIMATELY HALF AS MUCH AS HE AND HIS ADMINISTRATION WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE. SO AGAIN, WE HAVE A BUDGET PROPOSAL BUILT ON BAD INFORMATION. ULTIMATELY THE COUNTY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES, WHICH HAVE A COST. IF THE COUNTY NEEDS TO INCREASE REVENUE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES THAN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND ALL OF YOU HAVE A DUTY TO RAISE REVENUE. IT FEELS LIKE EVERY SINGLE TIME MR CALEY SPEAKS ABOUT THE BUDGET. HE DECLARES HE WON'T RAISE TAXES. THE MAN DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH, METHINKS. SERIOUSLY OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE ACTS LIKE HE KNOWS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD RAISE TAXES, BUT HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT. IT IS LIKE HE IS ALLERGIC TO THE PHRASE RAISE TAXES. AND I DO MEAN THE PHRASE BECAUSE, OF COURSE LAST YEAR, HIS BUZZ HIS BUDGET RAISED THE TAXES ON TELEPHONE LINES, BUT THAT WAS CALLED A FEE, NOT A TAX. NOW THE COUNTY COULD GET BY THIS YEAR WITHOUT ANY CHANGE TO THE TAX RATE. THE DECREASE IN PROJECTED FUND BALANCE USAGE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, AND THE CURRENT PROJECTION IS ENOUGH TO COVER THE ENTIRE REQUESTED INCREASE WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. AND ALSO FUND THE RAISES FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND ALSO BETTER FUN. THE LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE. AS A PROPERTY OWNER AND TAXPAYER. I THINK YOU SHOULD CANCEL MISTER GLASSMAN'S TAX CUT. BUT THE COUNTY HAS THE FUNDS TO FULLY FUND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST THIS YEAR, REGARDLESS, THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. KIM RU A 10. CHESNEY LANE, BEL AIR. GOOD EVENING COUNSEL. AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN. MY NAME IS KIM RUP. AND I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HARTFORD COUNTY. AND I'M A PROUD CIVILIAN OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHERE I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR 14 YEARS. BEFORE I TALK ABOUT SHERIFF'S OFFICE CIVILIANS I WANT TO TOUCH ON HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
          [00:05:05]
NOT BEING OFFERED THEIR PROMISE. 5% FUNDING. I'M NOT A PARENT, BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE A MOTHER OR FATHER TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT FUNDING IS FOR SCHOOLS, LEARNING AND GUIDANCE SHOULD START WITH THE FAMILY UNIT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS AND THE SCHOOLS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERLAP WHEN WE SEE KIDS STRUGGLING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE LOVE AND SUPPORT AT HOME. I DECIDED TO COME SPEAK TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S DECISION NOT TO OFFER SHERIFF'S OFFICE CIVILIANS A RAISE FISCAL YEAR. 24 DID NOT PROVIDE A RAISE FOR H CSO CIVILIANS, BUT SWORN MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY GRACIOUSLY GAVE US A PORTION OF WHAT THEY ALLOTTED LAST YEAR. NOW HERE WE ARE FISCAL YEAR, 25 AND H CSO CIVILIANS WILL NOT BE GETTING ANY TYPE OF RAISE. BUT IN FACT, WE ARE GETTING A 6% DECREASE. 
          YES A DECREASE SINCE OUR HEALTH BENEFITS ARE INCREASING BY 6% A PERCENTAGE THAT WE WERE NOT ANTICIPATING. MISTER CAY'S CHOICE TO GIVE ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES A 1% COLA AND $1000 MERIT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO CIVILIANS AND THE ATTITUDE OF EVERYONE ELSE CAN HAVE IT, BUT THEY CAN'T MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THERE ARE CIVILIAN POSITIONS THAT HOLD RESPONSIBILITY THAT OTHERS WOULD NOT WANT TO TAKE ON. LIKE MAKING SURE THAT THE PROTECTIVE ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE ABUSED VICTIM IS PROPERLY PROCESSED AND PUT OUT TO BE SERVED IMMEDIATELY. OR HOW ABOUT THE WARRANT BEING ENTERED FOR THE PERSON BEING CHARGED WITH INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHING A CHILD? THAT'S A CIVILIAN JOB TASK. AND A CHILD GOES MISSING. WE ENTER THE INFORMATION INTO A NATIONAL DATABASE FOLLOWING UP ON SEX OFFENDERS BEING REGISTERED ANOTHER CIVILIAN POSITION. IN OTHER WORDS, WE DON'T JUST SIT IN OFFICES, ANSWERING PHONES AND PUSHING PAPERS. WITHOUT THE 161 CIVILIANS. THERE WOULD BE NO POLICE AGENCY. WE ARE THE BACKGROUND WORKERS THAT SUPPORT OUR SWORN AND THE COUNTY AND WE TAKE OUR JOBS VERY SERIOUSLY. SUR. CIVILIANS ARE AFFECTED BY EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON AROUND US. CHARLIE LICATO, IAN LORE, TERESA TESTERMAN, PAT DALY AND MARK LOGSDON. THOSE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONAL DEPUTIES THAT HAVE PASSED DURING MY 14 YEARS. HAVE YOU EVER LISTENED TO A LAST CALL? IF NOT, THEN I RECOMMEND LOOKING IT UP ONLINE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY GUT WRENCHING. I ALSO CRINGE EVERY TIME I HEAR BAGPIPES PLAY. WHY BECAUSE YOU HEAR THEM AT POLICE FUNERALS, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL YET MENTALLY EXHAUSTING DAYS THAT YOU WILL EVER EXPERIENCE SO COUNCIL WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE HEARD TONIGHT, AND PREVIOUSLY I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET BY SUPPORTING THE H CSO CIVILIANS AND REMINDING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF THE 5% THAT WAS PROMISED TO HCPS AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. HOLD ON JUST A SECOND. WE HAVE A TECHNICAL ISSUE. DANIEL WILL WILLIAMS, FOLLOWED BY ROBIN WINTERNITZ. WE DO MAIL. HOLD ON A SECOND, DAN. 
          YOU CAN START. THANK YOU. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. DAN. DEAR WILLIAMS. 7817 CLARK'S FIRST PLACE. PARKVILLE MARYLAND, UM, BORN AND RAISED HERE IN HARTFORD COUNTY, HARTFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEE ALSO PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 802, REPRESENTING HARTFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES. ON BEHALF OF MARYLAND COUNCIL. THREE LOCAL 1802, REPRESENTING HARTFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES FROM THE HIGHWAYS AND PARK RECREATION MAINTENANCE DIVISIONS. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS OUR DISCORD WITH THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES BUDGET INCLUDES A MEAGER 1% COLA AND 1000 MERIT BASED RAYS INCREASE FOR AN ELIGIBLE COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOESN'T OPENLY BROADCAST IS THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES A $15,586 RAISE FOR HIMSELF. AND APPROXIMATE $14,000 RAISE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. AND AN APPROXIMATE $7500 RAISE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION. AND ALSO A $7800 RAISE. FOR THE COUNTY TREASURER. 
          THAT'S ONLY HIGHLIGHTS A FEW, BUT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE BUDGET IS LITTERED WITH SUBSTANTIAL RAISES FOR HIS APPOINTEES AND THE HIGHER ECHELON OF HIS ADMINISTRATION. WHEN HE RELEASED HIS BUDGET, HE STATED THAT IT WOULD BE A FLAT LINE BUDGET THAT WE AS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES MUST HOLD THE LINE AND HE'S UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES. BUT I GUESS THAT ONLY APPLIES TO THE COMMON RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES, NOT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND HIS APPOINTEES. 
          LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE COMMON RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES AND WHAT THESE FINE MEN AND WOMEN PROVIDE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF HARTFORD COUNTY. LOCAL 1802 BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES ARE DEEMED 
          [00:10:04]
ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WHO ARE REQUIRED TO RESPOND IN ALL SITUATIONS. OUR HIGHWAYS, PERSONNEL, APPROXIMATELY 100 AND SEVEN EMPLOYEES. MAINTAINS 1075 MILES OF COUNTY ROADWAYS. ALL DRAINAGE DITCHES ALONG THESE ROADWAYS. 
          ALL THE COUNTY STORM BOXES. AND TRIMMING THE TREES ALONG THESE ROADWAYS. NOT TO MENTION THEIR EFFORTS. PLOWING THE ROADS, STORING SNOW AND ICE EVENTS, AS WELL AS CLEARING DOWN TREES DURING STORMS AND HURRICANES. THESE FINE INDIVIDUALS CLEAR THE WAY. FOR OUR GREAT FIRST RESPONDERS TO GET THE COUNTY CITIZENS AND THEIR DIRE TIMES OF NEED. THESE INDIVIDUALS NOT ONLY MAINTAIN THESE ROADWAYS BUT MAKE IT SAFE FOR OUR COUNTY TAXPAYERS. OUR PARKS AND RECREATION PERSONNEL. MAINTENANCE DIVISION. ALL OF NINE EMPLOYEES. YES, ONLY NINE. 
          ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING 185 SITES. APPROXIMATELY 14 ACRES OF LAND. 100 AND 85 BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL DIAMONDS HERE IN THE COUNTY. EIGHT ACTIVITY CENTERS. 100 AND 40 PLAYGROUNDS. AND 46 MILES OF PUBLIC TRAILS. THESE ARE THE WORK. THAT'S THIS IS THE WORK THAT NINE INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING AT THIS TIME. THESE INDIVIDUALS ALSO ASSIST OUR HIGHWAYS PERSONNEL. DURING SNOW REMOVAL EFFORTS. WITHOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS. THE RECREATION PROGRAMS HERE IN HARTFORD COUNTY WOULD CEASE TO EXIST. COUNTY CITIZENS WOULD NOT HAVE MANICURED BALL FIELDS FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY ON. PLAYGROUNDS TO HAVE FUN ON WALKING TRAILS FOR THEIR LEISURE. EXERCISE. CAN I GET YOU TO BRING YOUR COMMENTS TO A CLOSE SHORT? THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WANTS US TO HOLD THE LINE. AND I SAY TO HIM, HOLD THE LINE WITH US. DO NOT GIVE YOUR EMPLOYEES SUBSTANTIAL RAISES GIVE THEM THE SAME 1% AND $1000 RAISE THAT YOUR RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES DO. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. ROBIN WINTZ. 821 DEL REY DRIVE FOREST HILL. HI UM, I'M A RESIDENT OF HARTFORD COUNTY WITH, UH, WHO, UH, WHO OWNS A SMALL BUSINESS? I AM AN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT HIRED BY FAMILIES ALL OVER TO NAVIGATE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN. PRESENTLY I AM WORKING WITH MANY HARFORD COUNTY FAMILIES. I BELIEVE OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN REGARDS TO EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT MANY OF THESE FAMILIES BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS, A MISALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND AN OVERALL LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO STUDENTS AND US AS TAXPAYERS. ARE YOU AWARE THAT IT HAS BECOME COMMON PRACTICE FOR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS TO HAVE IN HOUSE ATTORNEYS BUT HIRE OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS TO FIGHT FAMILIES ON EDUCATIONAL MATTERS? THIS IS ALL ON THE TAXPAYERS' DIME. SO WHILE A FAMILY PROVIDES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND TRUSTS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO KEEP THEIR KIDS SAFE, AND TO EDUCATE THEM, THEY OFTEN ARE NOT THE SCHOOL SCHOOL SYSTEMS. ARE ALL GUILTY OF THIS WHEN EXAMINING THE STANDARD PRACTICE. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS. STUDENTS STRUGGLE MOST OF THE TIME, THE PARENT VOICES A CONCERN, AND ON OCCASION, THE SCHOOL EXPRESSES A CONCERN. IEP MEETINGS. INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN MEETINGS. STUDENT SERVICE PLAN MEETINGS TAKE PLACE AND TESTING IS OFTEN DONE. IN SOME CASES, THE FAMILIES HAVE PRIVATE TESTING DONE, AND THEN SHARE IT WITH THE SCHOOL AT A MEETING SOMETIMES SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ARE PROVIDED AND STUDENT NEEDS ARE ACTUALLY MET MANY TIMES. 
          THIS IS NOT THE CASE. FAMILIES LOOK FOR OUTSIDE HELP OTHER SCHOOLS OR EVEN HOME SCHOOLING OPTIONS IN SITUATIONS WHERE A STUDENT WITH SPECIAL NEEDS DOES NOT GET THE NECESSARY HELP. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, A STUDENT STRUGGLES IS OFTEN BULLIED AND IS NOT LEARNING. OTHER STUDENTS ARE DISTRACTED BY THE STUDENT. TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AS THEY CAN'T DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. 
          TEACH. IF A PARENT EXERCISES THEIR RIGHTS TO GET A DUE PROCESS HEARING THE COUNTY THEN DIGS IN. THAT'S WHEN THEY BRING ANOTHER ATTORNEY AND UTILIZE ALL OF THEIR RESOURCES. OUR TAX 
          [00:15:03]
DOLLARS TO FIGHT FAMILIES, MANY LENGTHY MEETINGS, EXTRA TESTING, REQUIRING MORE WORK HOURS. 
          INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE DATA AND FOCUSING ON THE CHILD. IN MANY CASES, THIS MONEY AND TIME SPENT FIGHTING FAMILIES COULD PAY FOR THE TUITION FOR 3 TO 4 YEARS IN A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL. A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL IS A SPECIAL SCHOOL THAT IS APPROVED BY MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. AND THEY COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM 40 TO $100,000 A YEAR. SOME OF THE COURT HEARINGS ARE STRETCHED OVER NINE DAYS. WHERE A HARTFORD COUNTY HAS USED SCHOOL MONEYS TO FIGHT FAMILIES INSTEAD OF EDUCATING THE STUDENT. THIS IS WHAT TAXPAYERS NEED TO KNOW. IN FACT, IN OTHER COUNTIES, WE HAVE DONE FOIA REQUEST AND HAVE SEEN WHAT TAXPAYERS HAVE ACTUALLY PAID FOR THESE OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS . OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS. HARTFORD COUNTY NEEDS TO STOP FIGHTING PARENTS AND FOCUS ON THEIR DUE DILIGENCE OF EDUCATING CHILDREN. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH HER. BRING YOUR COMMENTS TO A CLOSE, OK IS ACCOUNTABILITY. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COVID MONEY? NOT EVERYONE CAN BE TAUGHT IN THE GENERAL SETTING ARE WIDE VARIETY OF SETTINGS. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HENRY GIBBONS, FOLLOWED BY KEN SHANNON. GOOD EVENING, SIR. GOOD EVENING. HENRY GIBBONS, 24 02 PAPAYA ROAD, EDGEWOOD. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL PRESIDENT VINI AND MEMBERS OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY COUNCIL. BEFORE COMING TO THIS MEETING. I REVIEWED MY MISS, UH TO YOU FROM LAST YEAR. 
          AND I WAS DISTRESSED TO FIND THAT IF I WANTED TO, I COULD ALMOST GIVE THE SAME SPEECH, UH, AGAIN WITH ONLY VERY MINOR EDITS, BUT I WILL SPARE YOU THAT INDIGNITY AND VOICE MY OWN CONCERNS FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY ARE RELATED TO THOSE I VOICED LAST YEAR. 
          NOW, FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING. WE'VE SEEN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE PROPOSE A BUDGET THAT FLAT LINES , THE SCHOOL OR THE EXPENDITURES FOR OUR SCHOOL AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT NOT ENTIRELY SURPRISING THAT THE THAT SAME COUNTY EXECUTIVE CONTINUES TO TOUT HIS SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION. ENGAGING IN PHOTO OP AFTER PHOTO OP WITH OUR COUNTY STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS PROMINENTLY POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WHILE ALL THE WHILE UNDERMINING THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES TO THE SCHOOLS. OUR EXPENDITURES RANK 17TH AMONG COUNTIES IN THE STATE AND PER STUDENT FUNDING ON OUR CLASS SIZE ON AVERAGE, CLASS SIZE RANKS AND EMBARRASSING 26 AND OR AND SECOND TO LAST AND UNMARRIED MARYLAND COUNTIES YOU'LL HEAR FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE PROP. THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL AFFECT THE SERVICES OUR SCHOOLS PROVIDE, SO I'M NOT GOING TO BELABOR THOSE POINTS, BUT I WILL STATE THAT IN AN ERA WHERE KNOWLEDGE TRAINING SKILLS THAT OUR STUDENTS ACQUIRE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND FROM OUR LIBRARIES IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURES OF OUR OF AS CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY AND THE AGGREGATE SKILLS OF THE WORKFORCE OF HARTFORD COUNTY WILL BE CRITICAL IN RECRUITING BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS TO THE COUNTY, THE REDUC AND THE REDUCTION OF SERVICES AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION. THAT WILL BE THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF SLOWLY STARVING THESE SYSTEMS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THOSE ENTITIES TO CONSIDER SETTING UP SHOP ELSEWHERE. EDUCATION SHOULD BE THE LAST THING CUT OR CLOSED. 
          THE FIRST TO CONTINUE ON THIS THREAD. THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND YEAR THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL STIPULATES A DRAWDOWN OF FUND BALANCES, WHICH YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT JUST A SECOND AGO. NOW IN BASIC FINANCIAL EDUCATION, WE'RE ALL ADVISED TO KEEP, UH A FEW MONTHS, EXPENDITURES AND SAVINGS TO DEAL WITH POTENTIAL HARD TIMES LIKE, SAY, A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. UH, THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF FUND BALANCES FOR SCHOOLS AS WELL. MAINTAINING THOSE FUNDS IS A HEALTHY THING, AND IT'S RECOMMENDED AS BEST PRACTICE AS A AS A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL. THE CURRENT PROPOSAL, ASK THE HCPS TO SPEND DOWN ITS RESERVE FUNDS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND LEAVE NOTHING IN THE SPARE TANK. THIS IS JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. ULTIMATELY THE DECISIONS TO CUT SERVICES OR INCREASE REVENUE ARE GOING TO BE YOURS SOONER OR LATER. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THIS CURRENT FINANCIAL PICKLE COMES IN SIGNIFICANT PART AS A RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, SHORT SIGHTED DECISION TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES IN AN ELECTION YEAR. LET'S NOT EVEN PRETEND THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT. SO IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY NOW TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL MAKE CHOICES THAT REFLECT THE VALUES OF THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT PLEASE VOTE AGAINST IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. KEN SHANNON 2044 PARK BEACH DRIVE IN PERRYMAN. THANK YOU, COUNSEL FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE CITIZENS OF HARTFORD 
          [00:20:06]
COUNTY DEPEND ON YOU AS OUR FINAL VOICE INTO THE 2025 BUDGET. ONE PROJECT THAT IS FUNDED IN THE 2025 BUDGET IS THE PERMIAN GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON OR G, A PLANT IMPROVEMENT FOR $259,000. THERE'S ALSO A PROPOSED EXPENDITURE OF $3.5 MILLION IN FY 2027 FOR PERRYMAN WELLFIELD IMPROVEMENTS. FOR ALL OF THAT MONEY IS SPENT ON THE INDUSTRIAL PLANT FOR PUMPING WATER OUT OF PERRYMAN. THERE SHOULD BE A STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL THREATS TO THE AQUIFER THAT SUPPLIES THAT WATER. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTS. SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT FOR THE PERRYMAN WELL FIELD HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2000. THAT'S ALMOST 25 YEARS. SINCE THAT TIME OVER 9 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSES AND FREIGHT TERMINALS HAVE BEEN BUILT ON THE PYRAMID PENINSULA. THE INCREASE IN IMPERVIOUS SURFACE CREATED BY THOSE BUILDINGS, THEIR PARKING LOTS AND NEW ROADS HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED. MY NEIGHBORS AND I HAVE BEEN COMING TO THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR NEARLY 2.5 YEARS, PLEADING FOR AN UPDATED STUDY OF THIS WATER SOURCE THAT A THIRD OF THE COUNTY'S RESIDENTS DEPEND ON A THREE P COALITION HAS PROVIDED LANGUAGE TO COUNCILMAN BENNETT THAT COULD BE USED TO UPDATE PROJECT UM FOR FY 2025. IT INCLUDES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE WELLS. TARGETING THE PRESENCE AND LEVELS OF PFSP FOUR AND OTHER PER AND POLY FOR ALGAL SUBSTANCES, OR ALSO KNOWN AS PF. AS WELL AS OTHER CONTAMINANTS. 
          WE RECOMMEND THAT THE STUDY BE CONDUCTED BY A THIRD PARTY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCY, WITH NO PRIOR EXISTING FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND ALSO THAT THERE BE OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING AND AN ANNUAL AUDIT. APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. FLEE BOND ROLL, FOLLOWED BY GAVIN HANLEY. 
          GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, LEE BRELL 638 GLOCK PLACE IN BEL AIR. I'M A NATIONALLY BOARD CERTIFIED ENGLISH TEACHER WITH 26 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TWO KIDS IN THE SYSTEM AND I'M A TAXPAYER. I COME FROM ARIZONA. HERE WE ARE AGAIN. I DO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVOCACY LAST YEAR, BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I'M EXHAUSTED. THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE ON THE DAIS FOR A WHILE. YOU WILL KNOW WHO I AM. I HAVE BEEN HERE EVERY YEAR. 
          BEGGING FOR FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS. I WILL NOT TELL YOU WHY WE NEED IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF SPEAKERS TELLING YOU THAT. WHAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IS WHY YOU DON'T HAVE MORE PEOPLE SITTING HERE AND TALKING TO YOU ABOUT IT. MORE TEACHERS. IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE APPLYING TO OTHER JOBS IN BETTER PAYING DISTRICTS. AND IF YOU WANNA TEST THE VERACITY OF THAT INFORMATION, YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW MANY NON CERTIFIED TEACHERS WE HAVE THIS YEAR AND THEN COMPARE IT TO HOW MANY WE WILL HAVE NEXT YEAR. THE ANSWER IS 100 AND 97 THIS YEAR. AND I DON'T WANT TO DEMEAN NON CERTIFIED TEACHERS AT ALL IN ANY WAY. BUT THOSE ARE POSITIONS THAT ARE BEING FILLED. THAT NEED TO BE FILLED WITH CERTIFIED EXPERIENCED TEACHERS AND KIDS ARE SUFFERING. AND IF YOU CAN SIT THERE AND ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN WITHOUT MAKING THE CHANGE THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE. YOU'RE JUST GONNA CONTINUE TO BLEED PEOPLE FROM THIS DISTRICT AND FROM THIS COUNTY THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GAVIN HANLEY, 608 SQUIRE LANE BEL AIR. THE PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET FOR HARPER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDES A 12% 12.7% INCREASE IN LOCAL APPROPRIATIONS AN ADDITIONAL $40 MILLION FROM LAST YEAR. THIS WOULD BE THE LARGEST SINGLE YEAR INCREASE IN LOCAL APPROPRIATIONS IN AT LEAST 15 YEARS, WITH AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 2.9% PER YEAR OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS. 17 MILLION OF THE PROPOSED HCPS BUDGET GOES TO AN EMPLOYEE WAGE PACKAGE. WAGES ARE BEING RAISED, IN PART TO MEET THE MARYLAND BLUEPRINT POLICY OF ALL MARYLAND TEACHERS, EARNING A SALARY OF AT LEAST $60,000 BEGINNING IN 2026. SEVERAL OF THE BUDGET INCREASE REQUESTS FOR HCPS ARE TO SATISFY MARILYN BLUEPRINT OR CODE OF MARYLAND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING THE HCPS OFFICE OF EQUITY AND CULTURAL PROFICIENCY, WITH A BUDGET OF OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS PROPOSED FOR 2025. PART OF HPS IS BLUEPRINT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS TO 
          [00:25:04]
INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF TEACHERS OF COLOR ADMINISTRATORS ARE MAKING DIVERSITY A PRIORITY, USING AN EQUITY LENS IN ALL STAFF, RECRUITING, HIRING, RETENTION AND PROMOTIONAL PROCESSES. HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS PRIORITIZING THE COLOR OF SOMEONE'S SKIN WHEN HIRING AND PROMOTING THE COLOR OF SOMEONE'S SKIN OR ANY OTHER IMMUTABLE CHARACTERISTIC SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING SOMEONE FOR A JOB. THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS HIRING THE MOST QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT PERSON. PARENTS OF HARTFORD COUNTY DESERVE THE BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN HIRING TEACHERS BASED ON SKIN COLOR INSTEAD OF MERIT IS WRONG. THIS IS A TERRIBLE POLICY FOR HCPS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO MEET THE STATEWIDE BLUEPRINT POLICY ON EQUITY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING. INVESTING IN EDUCATION IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR OF OUR COMMUNITY. LIKE ANY INVESTMENT MONEY NEEDS TO BE SPENT WISELY AND EFFICIENTLY TO RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME. SIMPLY SPENDING MORE MONEY DOES NOT LEAD TO A BETTER OUTCOME. IN 2018 SEAN BOLSON BECAME SUPERINTENDENT OF AC PS. AT THAT TIME, HCPS HAD A TOTAL REVENUE OF 448 MILLION. AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025 HCPS HAS A TOTAL REVENUE OF 660 MILLION, A 47% INCREASE IN REVENUE IN SEVEN YEARS. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION AFTER A PROPOSED 47% INCREASE IN REVENUE OVER SEVEN YEARS IS HAVE STUDENT OUTCOMES IMPROVED. IS HARTFORD COUNTY TAXPAYERS' INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, PAYING OFF WHILE SOME SUBJECTS LIKE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS HAVE IMPROVED, OTHER SUBJECTS HAVE GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IN 2018 61% OF HARTFORD COUNTY STUDENTS TESTED PROFICIENT IN GEOMETRY. LAST YEAR, 9.6% OF HARTFORD COUNTY STUDENTS TESTED PROFICIENT IN GEOMETRY 90% OF HARTFORD COUNTY STUDENTS WERE NOT PROFICIENT IN GEOMETRY LAST YEAR. I ENCOURAGE OUR COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS SPENDING MONEY AS WISELY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND TO NOT ALLOW THE CITIZENS OF HARTFORD COUNTY TO TAKE ON THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF POOR POLICIES SET FORTH INTO STATEWIDE MARYLAND BLUEPRINT. THANK YOU. THANKS SIR GLENN GILLI, FOLLOWED BY CINDY POKER. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. 
          GLENN GILLIS 1936 PARK BEACH DRIVE IN PERRIMAN. SPEAKING TONIGHT TO REQUEST CLARIFICATION ON SEVERAL ITEMS WITH REGARDS TO THE PROPOSED FY 2025 HARTFORD COUNTY BUDGET. FIRST THE WOODLEY ROAD INTERCHANGE. WHILE THE PERRYMAN COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PROMISED THE RELIEF FROM INDUSTRIAL TRAFFIC THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS THE RECENT SLOW MOVEMENT FORWARD ON THE PRESIDENCY AND COUNCIL'S ASSURANCES THAT THE WOODLEY ROAD EXCHANGE PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT PROJECT PRO. UH EXCUSE ME WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND HOW THE BUDGETED $4 MILLION WILL BE USED WHEN IT COMES TO COMPLETING THE PROJECT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CLARIFICATION, LANGUAGE AND DETAILING PLANS AND COMPLETION DATES THAT'S NOT AVAILABLE NOW IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET OR OTHER DOCUMENTS. THE SECOND ITEM SPA ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY AND QUALITY OF ISSUES LIKE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES ON THOSE THAT TRAVEL AND LIVE ON THE ROAD. WHILE IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ENGINEERING FOR THE WIDENING OF THE ROAD AND THE INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE PROJECT GOING FORWARD. IN THE FY 25 OR OTHER OUT YEARS, UM IN THE NEW PROPOSED BUDGET. WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR THIS PROJECT BEING IGNORED IN THE IN THE PLANS AND IN THE BUDGET? THIRD HEIGHT MONITORING SYSTEM. 
          THE PERRYMAN COMMUNITY HAS WORKED TO HAVE THE STATE ENABLED LEGISLATION PASSED. PARTICIPATED IN THE COUNTY'S WORKING GROUP ON DETAILING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH SYSTEM. AND SUPPORTED THE HARTFORD COUNTY LEGISLATION FOR THE HEIGHT MONITORING SYSTEM TO BE PUT INTO PLACE. THESE EFFORTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY FOCUSED ON HELPING TO RESOLVE ISSUES WITH ILLEGAL INDUSTRIAL TRAFFIC ON SPACE ROAD. WHY IS THERE NO MENTION OR BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT IN THE FY 25 BUDGET? THE PYRAMID PENINSULA COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED THAT OUR NEEDED SAFETY AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ON ROAD AND THE RELATED HEIGHT MONITORING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN SACRIFICED. TO PAY FOR THE WOODLEY ROAD ISSUES. ONCE AGAIN, IT APPEARS THAT THE DECISIONS OF THE PAST ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR LUST FOR UNCHECKED INDUSTRIALIZATION OF PERRY MEN ARE BEING PAID FOR 
          [00:30:06]
BY THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY MOST AFFECTED BY THE EGREGIOUS PROJECTS. PROTECT PERRYMAN PENINSULA HAS PROVIDED MORE DETAILED COMMENTS AND PROPOSED CORRECTIVE LANGUAGE TO THE CE OFFICE AND MR BENNETT WE LOOK FORWARD TO RES RESOLUTION OF THESE ISSUES BETWEEN THE CE AND THE COUNCIL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. CINDY POER 952 ANGEL VALLEY COURT. EDGEWOOD. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS TIME TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS. I AM CONTINUOUSLY BAFFLED WHEN PEOPLE SPEAKING TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, TRY TO COMPARE AND QUESTION AMOUNTS BY USING COMPARISONS TO BUDGETS FROM 21 OR 2022. SINCE 2021 THE CUMULATIVE INFLATION RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IS 19.9% AND SINCE 2022 IT IS 15.2% IN 2021, 22 AND 23, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FULLY FUNDED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S REQUEST. THE BUDGETS OF 21 AND 22 REFLECTED MODEST 6% INCREASES IN THE REQUESTED AMOUNTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICH BARELY COVERED THE RATE OF INFLATION. THE 2023 BUDGET WAS 10.5% HIGHER THAN 22 STILL NOT AN EXORBITANT INCREASE. THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD OF ED IN THEIR BUDGET PRESENTATION MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE INCREASE REQUESTED THIS YEAR WOULD MAINTAIN CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS AND ONLY ADD SEVERAL REGIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT WOULD SAVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR OUTSIDE PLACEMENTS AND SERVICES. PEOPLE LIKE TO CRITICIZE THE HCPS FOR LACK OF ACHIEVEMENT ON STANDARDIZED TESTS AND EQUATE THAT TO REASONS FOR CUTTING OR LIMITING FUNDING. 
          IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. HOW DOES CUTTING PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS THAT DIRECTLY SERVE OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT ARE DIRECTED AT THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING, IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AGAIN? DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ASKING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO HOLD TO HIS PROMISE TO INCREASE FUNDING. 5% IS TOO MUCH TO ASK, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS. THAT 5% COULD DRASTICALLY CHANGE THE CUTS TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WILL HAVE TO OCCUR IF HCPS MUCH MANAGE A $40 MILLION DEFICIT THIS YEAR AND A POTENTIAL 60 PLUS MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT NEXT YEAR. PLEASE ASK THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO KEEP HIS PROMISE AND INCREASE FUNDING TO HCPS BY THE 5. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ALL YOU WILL DO TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU, MA'AM. DOUG RUDD, FOLLOWED BY NICK SORDELLO. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. DOUG RUDD, BEL AIR MARYLAND 204 STEED LANE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN TONIGHT. UH, LIKE SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE, UM, THAT ARE HERE THIS EVENING. IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE HEARD MY VOICE. UM I DID NOT GROW UP HERE IN 30 YEARS THAT I HAVE LIVED IN HARTFORD COUNTY, HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS NOT RECEIVED THE FUNDING THEY ASKED FOR 28 OUT OF THE 30 YEARS. IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO ALMOST ANY SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE A BUDGET FOR A BUSINESS HOW YOU RUN YOUR HOUSEHOLD. HOW ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE YOUR CAR? IF YOU NEVER DO ANY OF THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE THAT'S REQUESTED. YOUR CAR. SOONER OR LATER THAT SYSTEM IS GONNA BEGIN TO FALTER AND BREAK DOWN AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW. AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF SYSTEMATIC UNDER FUNDING, WE SIT AROUND AND POINT FINGERS IN ABOUT WHERE IS THE MONEY BEING WASTED? OR WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THIS PROGRAM OR WIRE THE TEST SCORES GOING DOWN OR ALL OF THESE THINGS? IT COMES DOWN TO ONE THING. YOU HAVE TO MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY. I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT THE MOST UNDERFUNDED AGENCIES IN THIS BUDGET ARE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. LAST YEAR, WE LISTENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS THE PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY BUDGET WAS THE INTERNAL EMS SYSTEM AND HOW OUTDATED IT WAS AND HOW THEY USED TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES IN EMS FOR HARTFORD COUNTY. I DON'T HEAR ANY OF THAT THIS YEAR. I DON'T SEE OR HEAR A GOAL OR A PURPOSE TO ANYTHING IN THIS BUDGET, EXCEPT THAT I'M NOT GONNA RAISE TAXES. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? AS THE COUNTY COUNCIL. FOR US, THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE TONIGHT. YOU GUYS ARE HEARING FROM US. 
          [00:35:08]
YOU HAVE SOME REALLY TOUGH CHOICES THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE. BUT THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT I WOULD ASK YOU GUYS TO DO IS HOW IS THIS BUDGET SERVING? ANY PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE IN HARTFORD COUNTY. WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DESPERATELY ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. AND YOU HAVE COME TO THE RESCUE OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE PAST. WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR IN SOME CAPACITY, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS I DON'T SEE A GOAL OR A DIRECTIVE FROM THIS BUDGET OR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR HOW HE'S GOING TO MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD. SO, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S GONNA FALL ON THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SITTING UP ON THE DAIS TONIGHT TO DIRECT THAT FOR WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN LAST WEEK. I REFERRED TO THIS BUDGET AS A TRAIN WRECK. 
          I'VE SEEN NOTHING THAT'S GONNA CHANGE THAT ANALOGY. WE NEED YOUR HELP THE CITIZENS OF HARTFORD COUNTY, NOT JUST THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, NOT JUST THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THIS ENTIRE COUNTY IS LOOKING TO YOU FOR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HELLO NICK SORDELLO 454 MAJESTIC PRINCE CIRCLE HAT, A GRACE. I AM A TEACHER AND A COACH AT EDGEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND UH, WELL, EVERYBODY'S ALREADY TOLD YOU WHY YOU SHOULD FUND OUR SCHOOLS. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE KEY MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS ON THE DOCKET. UH, I'M NOT GONNA LIE. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WHEN I SAW IT IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS. UM SINCE ITS INCEPTION LAST YEAR. IT HAS BEEN HUGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AT EDGEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND IT HAS BEEN HUGE FOR OUR STUDENTS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL. I HAVE STUDENTS WHO TRIED OUT INELIGIBLE NEEDED AN APPEAL. AND BY THE END OF THE SEASON, WE'RE ON HONOR ROLL AND HAVE STAYED ON HONOR ROLL. I HAVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE WANTED TO CONTINUE PLAYING SPORTS AND DEVELOPING AS A PLAYER AND A LEADER. BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BECAUSE YOU SPORTS HAVE BECOME PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS $800 JUST FOR THEM TO JOIN THE TEAM. LET ALONE TRAVEL COSTS ANY OTHER ASSOCIATED COSTS WITH THE PROGRAMS. THESE SPORTS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BOND. THEY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMORIES TO BE MADE. AND OUR SECOND YEAR WE WON OUR FIRST GAME FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL, AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE ORIOLES CLUBHOUSE AFTER THEY CLINCHED THE A L EAST LAST YEAR. AND AGAIN, MY GIRLS TIED A SOCCER GAME THIS SEASON. AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE A L EAST CLUBHOUSE AFTER THE ORIOLES CLINCHED THE A L EAST. UM SO I JUST AM URGING YOU TO CONSIDER FINDING ROOM IN THE BUDGET FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS. IT BUILDS TEAMWORK. IT GIVES GIRLS LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND IT'S A HUGE ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE. ALL OF OUR ATHLETES HAVE SHOWN IN SEASON GROWTH IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY'RE MORE ENGAGED. THEY'RE MORE THEY'RE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THESE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM IF THEY'RE NOT DOING WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AS STUDENT ATHLETES. IT'S A HUGE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A GAME AT EDGEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE GOING TO A COLLEGE GAME. THE ATMOSPHERE IS INCREDIBLE. WE USUALLY HAVE ALL SORTS OF ENTERTAINMENT. OUR STEP TEAM PERFORMS. WE HAVE A DJ. UH AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY COMES OUT. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN RALLY AROUND AND IS SOMETHING THAT IS HUGE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND IS OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT RECEIVE. UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, SIR. GEORGE KNICK, FOLLOWED BY PAUL FALLACI. UH, GEORGE KNICK, SIX OR NINE GREEN STREET. HAVE GRACE. UH, PRESIDENT VICENTE DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL MEMBERS. OUR WORD OF HONOR SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING. WHEN I TOOK THE MILITARY OFFICER OATH OF OFFICE, I MADE CERTAIN PROMISES SUPPORTING DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES BEARING TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGING MY DUTIES . I KEPT THAT PROMISE IN WEST GERMANY, IN VIRGINIA AND IN IRAQ. WHEN I TELL MY CHILDREN, I WILL SUPPORT THEIR DECISIONS. EVEN IF I MIGHT HAVE CHAIRS IN A DIFFERENT PATH. I KEEP THAT PROMISE, REGARDLESS OF CHANGING SITUATIONS, REGARDLESS OF UNANTICIPATED OBSTACLES. I KEEP THOSE PROMISES. WHEN I PROMISED THOSE WHO ENTRUST ME WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION THAT I WILL SAFEGUARD IT. I MAINTAIN THAT CONFIDENCE. SOMETIMES IT COSTS TO MYSELF. I KEEP THOSE PROMISES. OUR WORD. OUR PROMISES ARE REFLECTIVE OF OUR HONOR. 
          THEY'RE REFLECTIVE OF WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE THEY DRIVE, WHETHER WE ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY OTHERS, THEIR DETERMINANTS OF OUR INFLUENCE. THEY MOLD HOW WE ARE SEEN AND HOW WE ARE HEARD. IN THE END, OUR WORD OF HONOR IS ALL WE HAVE AS A COLLEAGUE AS A FATHER AS A HUSBAND AS A SOLDIER. MY WORD OF HONOR IS IMPORTANT TO WHO I AM. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE PROMISED A 5% $15 MILLION BUDGET INCREASE TO HARVARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HE'S A MILITARY OFFICER, AN OFFICER OF THE COURT IN THE EXECUTIVE OF THIS COUNTY THE COUNCIL STOOD UP FOR US LAST YEAR, SAVING US FROM DEEP CUTS SOMEHOW FINDING $10 MILLION. PLEASE HOLD THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE 
          [00:40:06]
TO HIS WORD THIS YEAR MAKE IT MEAN SOMETHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, SIR. 
          NAME AND ADDRESS. GOOD EVENING, PAUL FOR 320 MARINA AVENUE IN PERRYMAN. UH, I JUST WANTED TO ECHO WITH MY NEIGHBORS. AND UH, THOSE THAT ARE HERE AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT HERE FROM THE PIEMAN AREA. WE WOULD LIKE THE OVERHEAD TRUCK MONITORING SYSTEM THAT YOU GUYS JUST PASSED HERE EARLIER IN THE SPRING TO BE ADDED TO THE BUDGET. THE COST FOR THAT. IT'S ONLY LIKE $50,000. I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THAT, UH THE PERRYMAN WELLFIELD STUDY. WE CAN DO THE FULL STUDY. UM, BESIDES JUST PUTTING IN THE FILTERS AND THEN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT GLENN HAD GONE THROUGH, UM AND AREAS WHERE YOU GUYS MAY BE ABLE TO FIND SOME MONEY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE AREA IS THE ENTERPRISE ZONES. HARTFORD COUNTY'S TWO ENTERPRISE ZONES IN ABERDEEN AND HAVE GRACE AND THE EDGEWOOD J ARE DESIGNATED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ENCOURAGED THE CREATION OF WELL PAYING JOBS. WELL I KNOW IN THE ABERDEEN PRAIRIE AREA, EVERY SINGLE WAREHOUSE HAS A, UH YOU KNOW, JOB THEY'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HIRE THERE. THEY DON'T NEED, UM, TAX CREDITS FOR THAT FOR THE, UH, 17 $18 AN HOUR JOBS THEY HAVE THERE. THEY HAVE PLENTY OF OPENINGS, ENSURE RETENTION AND SPUR EXPANSION OF RESIDENT BUSINESSES. SOME IN THE NAME OF THE BUSINESSES THERE. THEY'RE NOT RESIDENTIAL WEB RESTAURANT, SEPHORA. IT'S NOT EVEN A US COMPANY. UM ACE LOGISTICS. GSO LOGISTICS WAYFAIR , CLOROX FANATICS AND AMAZON. 
          THEY'RE ALL OUT OF STATE. THEY'RE NOT IN THE COUNTY, NOT IN THE STATE, AND WE'RE GIVING THEM TAX CREDITS PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OCCUPANCY OF VACANT UNDERUTILIZED LAND AND BUILDINGS. UH, MITCHELL FARM AND ABINGTON WOODS ARE NOT VACANT, AND, UH IF THERE'S THE, UM. PLAN FOR THE ENTERPRISE ZONE IS TO USE IT ON BROWN INDUSTRIAL AREAS , NOT GREEN WOODS AND FARMS. THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO REVITALIZE OLD INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF HARTFORD COUNTY IS NOT BEING USED LIKE THAT IN HARTFORD COUNTY. UM I JUST WANTED TO GO INTO SOME OF THE TAX CREDIT BECAUSE IT'S REAL MONEY. REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 10 YEARS ON CAPITAL INVESTMENTS WITH A CREDIT OF 80% ON INCREASES IN ASSESSED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS. 80% CREDIT, THEN DECREASES BY 10% ANNUALLY FOR THE REMAINING FIVE YEARS. THEY ALSO GIVE FOR THIS JOB CREATION THEY GIVE DISCOUNT. 
          UM CREDITS OF 1000 UP TO $6000 PER EMPLOYEE FOR A YEAR. UM SO I. I TOLD YOU SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THEY'RE ALL OUT OF STATE OUT OF THE, UM THE COUNTRY ON SOME OF THEM. UM SO FOR FROM 2018 TO 2027 A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF THESE THERE THEY'RE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 AND 73,000 TO 350,000 PER BUSINESS PER YEAR. SO OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD, WE'RE TALKING $23.5 MILLION NOW THAT'S SHARED WITH THE STATE. OF UM, MARYLAND. SO WE GET. HARTFORD COUNTY HAS WALKED AWAY FROM 11 POINT HALF OF THAT IT'S $11.8 MILLION. SO I THINK WE COULD USE SOME OF THAT MONEY IF WE SHRINK THE ENTERPRISE ZONES FROM THESE FARMS AND WOODS OR JUST ELIMINATE THEM, AND, UH, KEEP SOME OF THAT TAX REVENUE. UH, THE OTHER THING I WANNA DO THIS, UH, ECHO SOME OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS HERE AS I HAVE FOUR KIDS THAT MADE IT THROUGH K THROUGH, UH, 12TH GRADE IN HARTFORD COUNTY, AND EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT THEY PLAYED A SPORT. UH, FOR THAT SEASON, THEY DID BETTER. THEIR GRADES WERE BETTER SO THIS WHEN THEY WERE IN SEASON, THEY'RE SO BUSY. THEY ALL THEY CAN DO IS GO TO SPORT AND STUDY AND DO THEIR WORK. AND WHEN THEY'RE OUT, THEY'RE NOT. 
          SO THAT'S DEFINITELY UH, IF YOU WANNA HAVE IMPROVED GRADES, YOU KNOW, FROM MY EXPERIENCE. KEEP THE KIDS. UH, ACTIVE. THANKS. THANK YOU, SIR. MORE REGISTERED SPEAKERS, MR PRESIDENT. WITH NO OTHER SPEAKERS. THIS WILL CONCLUDE, UM THIS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.