[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6105071,"mediaKeyId","2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3","parentId",2787496,"title","Residents press commissioners over possible state, federal cuts; commissioners outline budget schedule and listening options","audioSeconds",987,"startMs",963000,"endMs",1950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3&start=963&end=1950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3/thumbnail_963000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105071/Garrett-County/Maryland/Residents-press-commissioners-over-possible-state-federal-cuts-commissioners-outline-budget-schedule-and-listening-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105071-1cc1f76710d77ddb8e0a778ce3393aa4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078520&Signature=CaZ2E5jw8QpucwkWQlVzXpKLcEuyoyYd7LgKV2FXA6sW6Nt69KgzhDqSZuSKT0VbqyPNl6hsi8Ppgsseyf7bWeX0qGBwHxgiX6TXv7FfH559U-DJPl3I03w85Z2SEbd2bAjiiSqCooth41BeNyZHoHwCJYQiZnopaNZktl4IPgSgwCPFy4YckRCwYLo9-YHOWOTOdvSOZduHXpICxMOwCQrLMYr86NA2CKnlqyTUymn9IEp~Pv1VHV3vdrl-Xnl2R4HTUoxV00E5DEUosziS7f~cz3e03YI5m284I3EPtnnjHqWk63ofdSX0nisqWf6uC3xTms2soxVB7zdKDv8SsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-27T05:20:19.393Z","article","Residents at the March 18 Garrett County Commissioners meeting raised concerns about potential state and federal budget cuts to local services and asked the board to host a town hall with legislators.

Several speakers — including an unnamed resident who asked for a town hall, a lengthy public commenter who cited potential impacts on Community Action, Head Start, Mountain Laurel Center and Garrett Regional Medical Center, and a speaker identified as Frank — urged the board to convene a public forum so legislators and county leaders could explain likely impacts and answer questions. The commissioners said they will continue the county’s budget review process, that outside-agency budget presentations will continue in the coming meetings, and that they are especially concerned about near-term state budget actions that may require the county to respond.

One commissioner said that, speaking personally, he was “deeply concerned about the state budget much more than I am the federal budget” because state cuts would have a more direct and immediate impact on county finances. Commissioners noted they have no inside information about pending federal actions and encouraged residents to participate in upcoming budget hearings and to seek out conversations with federal and state representatives. A board member said the county will continue to be fiscally prudent and that staff and the commission will respond if specific funding shortfalls are identified by agencies during the budget presentations.

Commissioner or staff member Nick (first name only) told attendees about a May “business before hours” event at the Garrett College performing arts center featuring Senator McKay and Delegate Heinbaugh, saying it will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions of state legislators after the session. The board also announced that budget presentations from outside agencies — including Garrett County Community Action Committee, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and Ruth and Little Library — were scheduled to follow the meeting.

No formal vote or binding direction to convene a county-led town hall with federal lawmakers was made; commissioners said citizens are free to organize public forums independently and that the board would participate if an opportunity developed and if the timing and format were appropriate. Commissioners repeatedly said that county staff will flag items of concern as outside agencies give budget presentations and that the board will consider responses as the county prepares its budget for the coming fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Meeting - March 18, 2024 - Board of Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged Garrett County commissioners on March 18 to organize a town hall with legislators to explain potential state and federal budget cuts affecting local programs; commissioners urged patience as budget review and agency presentations continue.","taxTitle","Garrett County , Maryland","taxId",52516,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105075,"Garrett County opens public hearing on water and sewer plan amendments for Grantsville, Gorman and other service areas",227,534000,761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3&start=534&end=761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3/thumbnail_534000.jpg","/articles/6105075/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-opens-public-hearing-on-water-and-sewer-plan-amendments-for-Grantsville-Gorman-and-other-service-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105075-f497664a7375e33ca36615228dcef841/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078520&Signature=Tr17WhkZjWDyBbsbvifcjtfTJm~uN13gFF5YjXX7wGlpRhJ6c2KX1~I1XR9YKUULK27enEFAvtRY3aCtQfkPjFhEpQ6de8y0mWcKQCF8qcogEtlsvpixW5tvru4Q1FoAY5eMXSXZHen7UuxZ4q5KiAUWQRvCvAwRa6Un5NAjJSPP0XgwIV6H~NZoVCyxJFBei8OcCmdYPRUBeXZC8~~XuOk7k6PZGmCPRCCNySZnhJn4g-egmaheR9Fehy77Q9yA1n~60VX3o0iR8iQcgJAVGsAl1TidJd-l7KTevjMISiQjF50wiRhotZEX3Rh~D1TCjs2tEK7fd1dixUZ1h2A82w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Garrett County Commissioners on March 18 opened a public hearing on proposed map and text amendments to the Garrett County Water and Sewer Master Plan, originally adopted in February 2014.

Sierra of the Garrett County Department of Community Development and Planning described several targeted changes: the town of Grantsville is pursuing annexation and wants Hemlock Drive in the northwest corner of town reclassified from planned to existing/under construction service area; the Gorman water system has one collapsed well and staff are mapping a new well site on Mountain Road plus an associated raw-water line and pump station to convey water to the treatment plant; and the Chestnut Ridge and Jennings areas will see added pump stations, some force mains converted to gravity lines, and replacements of septic systems with grinder pumps where needed.

Sierra said the water and sewer plan was adopted in 02/2014 and is intended to guide service areas for a 10-year horizon; staff are also preparing a full rewrite of the plan but need these targeted amendments to proceed with specific projects. She said comments will be accepted through the week before the county's next meeting, after which the commissioners hope to approve the amendments and submit them to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for review and approval.

Commissioners clarified that the Gorman amendment does not expand the system’s customer base but adds redundancy by locating a replacement well and related infrastructure. Sierra said the map changes also reflect where accounts already exist and noted that some lines will be reconfigured to improve service and replace aging septic systems in specific locations such as Maple Grove.

The public hearing was opened by a motion from the board; the meeting record shows the board later closed the hearing and resumed the public meeting. Commissioners invited written comments to Sierra and encouraged stakeholders to submit input before the stated comment deadline.

If approved by the commissioners at a subsequent meeting, staff will forward the amended plan to MDE for its approval before construction proceeds.","Garrett County commissioners opened a public hearing March 18 on amendments to the county's Water and Sewer Master Plan, proposing map and text changes in Grantsville, Gorman, Chestnut Ridge and Jennings to support planned well, pump station and service-line work.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105078,"Garrett County awards two construction bids, approves $59,790 budget amendment for bridge order",140,287000,427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3&start=287&end=427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787496-ec6ccc58eb2a7a1c315de953ab923da3/thumbnail_287000.jpg","/articles/6105078/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-awards-two-construction-bids-approves-59790-budget-amendment-for-bridge-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105078-49dd5cc27a66172e1e9e9e3b80067944/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078520&Signature=goY~jYljk6PHglaIw0iB6aSNZE46jGe4Rnepz~IPuXCFDDUHoCKyqYyZDdKxiXPg5vtzX~mplvaSr~0feK4GR0b7gNAyaLS-0E2t3wTRIdLDq05N2FmDiy8T3HbLUgsowSc6b4HHQA5F7QriowH-MVzrIoCzX-rbEYvwmJUCLynWaT~~Cov5fv30Llk3AlMQFalTgy9BThuOQcNu1b3XWTDReEUM8RgTpaAhP52T1L28nGh7JHncL6LB0q5Qq-z0J23GdNzjAzS~bMg7mXFh5hcKH6TGlCcfXZXTFspTDodo6VpCRNrFJrlBydVykC3WmDS8ALQ0sMDRcVCQbt0G~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Garrett County Commissioners on March 18 accepted purchasing recommendations to award two construction bids and approved a budget amendment to order a bridge component before the end of the fiscal year.

The purchasing division recommended awarding Bid 250206 (Pump Station 1121) to Ridgeline Industries for $228,676, and awarded Bid 250306 (galvanized steel modular panel truss for the Allen and Fike bridge) to Arco Corporation of America for $157,700. The board approved both awards and a requested budget amendment of $59,790.90 to cover the shortfall and allow the bridge to be ordered before the June 30 fiscal-year deadline.

Mister Noll of the purchasing division presented the bids and the recommendation, saying two bids were received for Pump Station 1121 (Weitzel Excavating and Paving at $386,767.24 and Ridgeline Industries at $228,676) and one bid for the galvanized steel truss at $157,700. Noll said the overall project budget for the bridge is $290,301 over two fiscal years and that the county had budgeted roughly $100,000 in each of FY2025 and FY2026, leaving a $59,790.90 shortfall for this ordering cycle.

A commissioner moved to accept the purchasing division recommendations; another commissioner seconded. The motion carried (3–0).

The board noted the bid price for the truss is guaranteed through June 30, and the $59,790.90 amendment would be covered from contingency. No further conditions or contract contingencies were announced at the meeting.

Clarifying details provided during the presentation show the bridge project has separate design and installation budgets: approximately $92,400 for design and $157,700 for the bridge piece, with $100,000 budgeted for installation in a later fiscal year. Commissioners approved awarding the pump station contract and advancing the bridge order to meet vendor lead times.

The board moved on to other items after the vote; no additional debate on either contract was recorded.","The Board of Garrett County Commissioners accepted purchasing recommendations to award two construction bids — a pump station contract and a galvanized steel modular truss for a bridge — and approved a $59,790.90 budget amendment to cover the bridge order before fiscal year end.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press commissioners over possible state, federal cuts; commissioners outline budget schedule and listening options

Garrett County opens public hearing on water and sewer plan amendments for Grantsville, Gorman and other service areas

Garrett County awards two construction bids, approves $59,790 budget amendment for bridge order