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Fort Meade reviews budget; library seeks tutoring database, CRA pursues downtown retail strategy
Summary
At an Aug. 20 budget workshop the City of Fort Meade reviewed general, enterprise and special revenue funds. Library staff requested capital for a live-tutoring and job-help database plus restroom ventilation and lighting updates; the CRA team will pursue a Retail Strategies agreement to boost downtown development. No budget line changes were requested.
The City of Fort Meade City Commission reviewed the city's proposed operating and capital budgets at a budget workshop on Aug. 20, 2024, with department directors presenting line items and no changes requested during the session.
City Manager Edward Dean led department-by-department reviews of legal and administrative line items and said he is scheduled to meet with outside counsel (Mr. Powell) to review the legal services contract. Library Director Kylie Shortt told commissioners the library's capital request is larger than last year because the department is seeking funding for a database that would provide live tutoring and job‑help services for patrons; Shortt also requested ventilation upgrades for public restrooms and updated lighting in staff offices.
Parks Manager Roc Eiland reported the parks department is currently understaffed and said the department is using weekend workers to keep up with routine mowing; he said the parks budget otherwise appears adequate. Customer Service Manager Danelle Holder said staff are working on e-billing implementation and are exploring discontinuing mailed delinquent notices as a cost-saving measure. Water and wastewater budgets were reviewed by Water/Wastewater Director Tommy King, who reported no requested changes to those enterprise funds.
On special revenue items, Mr. Dean reviewed the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) line items, announced the hiring of a full-time CRA director, and described a proposed agreement with Retail Strategies intended to help downtown retail recruitment and improvement. Commissioners discussed CRA salary figures during that review; specific salary amounts were not specified in the workshop record.
City Manager Dean closed the presentations by thanking staff for their work. Commissioner James Watts moved to adjourn the workshop, Commissioner James Possum Schaill seconded, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. The workshop adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
