[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612651,"mediaKeyId","2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6","parentId",2889780,"title","Commissioners list consent agenda items including Wellpath contract and Science Drive sale; move into closed session on collective bargaining","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",1070000,"endMs",1248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6&start=1070&end=1248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612651/Allegany-County/Maryland/Commissioners-list-consent-agenda-items-including-Wellpath-contract-and-Science-Drive-sale-move-into-closed-session-on-collective-bargaining","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612651-da6bfda1f21808b1fc2d37a259995934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207568&Signature=Euiw4xsfsWdXX9G-8rJssAM3-4LgREz5dcgPwqfz6x~tZGmX8Z1mpJG2Nn9h7Uy3PGaBdJkT~4yDFw9g2jdi5okzubDSHtRyweFeDkj1RDvXwE0fPv0BAZpDixe3EMcP0fUQOsOsv0Yu3R3B0RmVs13N0BlXZRNFCvuJ0go-pNEFimra8HkWSh8zRo50sklDjMGNk3RY1jS8RRsCX89xNCy8QV7Rgh8lYIwcouwr7s7UNYNWpHZ-NkqKpmm7gqSkdd~RK1h8DHBAh-aWhmAPp1wZlGlfeDnY7akP5gAGP47HU6pU0oX1BHJUlX-SyDVodgkVIxhkfjgd35m2m3C8hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allegany County, MD","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","County staff previewed several items slated for the consent agenda at the public meeting and sought commissioners' questions before tonight's session.

Items listed by staff for the consent agenda included:
- Appointment of Todd Logston (identified in the packet as the mayor of Frostburg) to represent Frostburg on the Tri-County Council.
- Renewal of medical services with Wellpath for jail/prisoner health care, described as approximately $1,500,000 and an 8.8% increase on the existing contract.
- A $1,000 sponsorship or fee for Old Town Summerfest (June 28 in Old Town), a recurring item the county has supported previously.
- Contract for sale of 1 Science Drive (the former Hamilton Relay building in Frostburg) to BTA of Frostburg for $1,200,000, described by staff as removing carrying costs to the county and supporting a local business venture.
- Two-year renewal of employee vision benefits with VBA for 2026 and 2027, described as 100% employee-paid and no cost to the county.
- A GeoCCP case-automation system enhancement grant for the state's attorney's office in the amount of about $55,000.

After reviewing the consent items, a commissioner moved and another commissioner seconded a motion to enter a closed session to discuss anticipated collective-bargaining negotiations. The motion passed by voice vote (commissioners responded \"Aye\"), and staff said the board would meet in Room 230 and reconvene the public meeting at 5 p.m.

Ending: Staff said the consent items would appear on the public agenda and invited commissioners to raise any concerns before the public meeting. The board then recessed into a closed session to discuss collective-bargaining negotiations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Public Work Session and Closed Executive Session - April 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff previewed consent-agenda items including a $1.5 million Wellpath renewal and a $1.2 million sale of the former Hamilton Relay building, then commissioners voted to enter a closed session to discuss collective-bargaining negotiations.","taxTitle","Allegany County, Maryland","taxId",54745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612656,"Bel Air residents petition county over high water and sewer bills; commissioners propose meeting with state and federal delegation",678,386000,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6&start=386&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6/thumbnail_386000.jpg","/articles/6612656/Allegany-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-residents-petition-county-over-high-water-and-sewer-bills-commissioners-propose-meeting-with-state-and-federal-delegation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612656-4473302c47a22501a6a28136ab9496c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207568&Signature=j~heOywyevcFrdJI430GWxlD3u0EJPMnV8H9z1HC1CpMV78Gqfj0RZZ3OnBmEp~3W9DrMKG6dd4A2T587HJlPtbXiQE5rrJd5abAO5P504zWJrXbCJ-Kct285FWYc~j3~aLBkUPDOpY1-dnTdPKTY4yA5qxGLsmkIV19x79f4PfMKfkunmxg1A26MOblDAgVdpYcPWA3xJXEdgxMo4d1PrZW6viVN3VUEpaeVyTtkU7yJ3XF8gNjAQMVQvCAR3tDCCZtfP3KCYhyPH-QR-o3UA~Vnhkb0boork6rWUqjJmLkXhin003VmvJEXhiq-S09ryznSMpqXMxhFtTV1b5L9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A packet from Bel Air residents, accompanied by an estimated 1,200-signature petition, asked Allegany County Commissioners to convene meetings with the county delegation and federal representatives to examine high water and sewer bills residents say are unaffordable.

County staff said the petitioners want the county to facilitate a conversation among local elected officials, state regulators and the company serving the area. Staff cautioned the county is not directly in charge of the private utility's rates but said commissioners could work with the state delegation, the U.S. congressional offices copied on the letter and other partners to seek information and potential remedies.

During the discussion commissioners and staff described multiple issues raised by residents and by staff's preliminary review: the private operator purchases water from Cumberland and applies a county-negotiated markup; staff said the operator then appears to apply an additional markup when billing customers. Commissioners and staff also discussed sewer charges and an example figure for sewer reported in the materials of about $19 per 1,000 (units discussed in the meeting were not always clear). One county official said example household bills in affected neighborhoods could be in the range of $400\u0013400 to $500 a month for combined water and sewer in contrast with many other county customers paying roughly $150\u0012152 a month.

Participants raised water loss and aging infrastructure as possible drivers: meeting participants said water-loss rates above 20% would be concerning, and they reported anecdotal accounts that the private operator's system could experience water loss significantly above normal benchmarks. The Public Service Commission (PSC) and the state Attorney General's office were mentioned as potential oversight or investigatory avenues; staff said they could obtain the PSC's rate determination and documentation for review.

County staff recommended first meeting with the county delegation and the offices copied on the petition (including U.S. Rep. Delaney and Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks and the local state senator and delegates) to get the relevant regulatory records and bring funding partners and federal contacts into a follow-up meeting with the community. Commissioners agreed that convening a multi-party meeting after the legislative session would be appropriate and said staff should coordinate dates and gather PSC materials.

Ending: Staff said they would coordinate with the county delegation, obtain the PSC's determinations and invite federal and state offices and community members to a meeting after session to explore options and information-sharing.","A packet from Bel Air residents, accompanied by an estimated 1,200-signature petition, asked Allegany County Commissioners to convene meetings with local and federal officials to examine high water and sewer bills.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_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":73,"_74":73},6612660,"Allegany County staff outline budget impacts from proposed state changes, seek clarification on disparity-grant cap",0,648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6&start=648&end=648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889780-127dd4368bbf949e4a5427a796dac4a6/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6612660/Allegany-County/Maryland/Allegany-County-staff-outline-budget-impacts-from-proposed-state-changes-seek-clarification-on-disparity-grant-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612660-e5c0d1b92ad8464e08a9905e79811740/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207568&Signature=WM6d4M71ipbh8631yqFs5lCnE3wokItAKGv-PiQuyRWvy~p2qLZ1g0usZPcEyifmx8QCm-YOrpf2BsaLqR6bHiabpbHmn8BxUq5m96oKn5e1b5RFtehpZjRmmEEqwvhEi7gNXnO56rUpGk5iabTPyM4tm7g-HukYY3rVWy6TWlIgSNRxAytXAtTos33s5pQzRzXhjSMDGWmFfS~pvxnN-apGHR~6Gukt2yTWo7LRcmOgW67DtU6Z8~YcBFu8X7RVCyZtg52ixErvUFrXToygh9inZVAPCCGZ0e1kM0xrWhafImwpWmtl~5FL4X7OlYFsUfqgs~vhXjq1Q60IivEOVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff updated the Allegany County Commissioners on state-level budget proposals that could change county revenue projections and on a technical cap that may restrict the county's ability to shift taxes.

The most immediate item staff described was a change in the state budget language on the personal standard deduction. County staff said a previously proposed doubling of the deduction, which the county estimated would have reduced local revenue by about $3.2 million, appears in the current draft as a 20% increase. Using preliminary calculations, staff estimated that a 20% increase would lower county revenue by about $640,000 instead of $3.2 million, but cautioned the Senate had not completed action on the bill and the figure remained subject to change.

Staff also said a separate change in the budget would revert a proposed teacher-pension funding shift to its original form. According to staff, the earlier proposal would have added roughly $600,000 for Allegany County on top of a base amount the county was already counting; the legislature's change left the county exposure closer to the previously expected amount (staff described the base as about $754,000). Staff framed that as a reduction in projected losses compared with earlier drafts.

Finally, staff highlighted a technical but potentially consequential issue tied to the state's disparity grant program. Under current rules, counties that levy the full 3.2% piggyback income-tax rate receive a larger share of disparity-grant funding; the draft budget would increase the target share for fully piggybacked counties from 75% to 90% of adjusted income. However, staff said a statutory or administrative cap on the county's disparity grant put in place in 2010 may still limit the county's ability to capture those additional funds. If the 2010 cap remains, staff said, raising the piggyback rate would not be advantageous; if the cap has been removed by the current proposal, staff said the county could consider increasing the piggyback rate and offsetting that change by lowering property tax rates, which could \"unlock millions of dollars\" in state funds.

Staff said they have tasked county lobbyists and reached out to the county delegation for clarification and expected an answer within days. Commissioners were told the Senate's third-reading schedule was imminent and that a clearer picture was likely after legislative action concluded.

No final decisions were made at the work session; staff presented the options and said they would return with firmer numbers when the legislature acts.

Ending: County staff said they would continue to monitor the budget action, confirm the 2010 cap's status with the delegation and the comptroller's office, and bring updated revenue estimates to the commissioners once statutory language and final appropriations are available.","County staff told commissioners that recent state budget proposals — a smaller-than-expected increase in the standard deduction, a teacher-pension funding change and a possible elimination of a 2010 disparity-grant cap — could materially affect local revenues and open options for adjusting local tax structure if clarified.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners list consent agenda items including Wellpath contract and Science Drive sale; move into closed session on collective bargaining

Bel Air residents petition county over high water and sewer bills; commissioners propose meeting with state and federal delegation

Allegany County staff outline budget impacts from proposed state changes, seek clarification on disparity-grant cap