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FEDERALSBURG - The Federalsburg Mayor and Council continue to perform management and administrative duties in addition to legislative and executive functions due to lack of staffing, leading to delays and disorganization.
The town is actively recruiting for a town manager, clerk, assistant clerk, and code enforcement. These positions being open are straining the basic operational functions of the Mayor and Council, including the posting and filing of agendas and minutes. Information regarding the business of the town is often provided at the last minute and is not easily accessible. Minutes for recent past meetings have not been presented to the Mayor and Council for approval, causing confusion on at least one piece of business – whether there has been a vote to change the water billing from quarterly to monthly.
At the Oct. 6 regular meeting during public comment period, resident Donald Nagel questioned whether the water and sewer billing cycle is quarterly or monthly, noting that the Mayor and Council voted to change the billing cycle at the July 7 meeting. Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan noted that she understood that the July 7 vote was to discuss changing the billing cycle, and that changes would need to be formalized through ordinance. When the ordinance to increase water and sewer rates was introduced, the billing cycle question was not discussed, so the billing cycle remains quarterly.
Increase water and sewer rates ordinance
An ordinance was introduced to increase water and sewer rates by 5%, up to 10% if reserves are less than three months of operating expenses. Ryan noted that “it is good practice, and I think it has been included in your audit reports, to raise water and sewer rates annually at least three to five percent just to stay on top of annual maintenance and operations costs.”
The five percent increase is a departure from a recommendation made at the Sept. 15 workshop by then town manager consultant Ken Decker. Decker recommended an increase of 20% in water and sewer rates to balance the water and sewer budget and sustain water and sewer options for a year. Decker was working on the premise of a $435,000 deficit, which Mayor Kim Abner and Councilperson Brandy James questioned, stating that the deficit amount was lower.
In the two weeks since the Sept. 15 meeting, Abner created a sample water bill as an attachment to the proposed ordinance to demonstrate the potential impact of a five percent increase on a 9000-gallon usage at the quarterly billing cycle. A five percent increase could equate to $16 in additional charges per quarter. During discussions on the ordinance, the question of the budget deficit was not considered.
The Mayor and Council voted to move forward with the ordinance to increase water and sewer rates, with a public hearing to be held on Nov. 4.
Sheriff’s Office MOU
The Memorandum Of Understanding with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office was not listed on the agenda, however, it had already been approved at the Sept. 22 special meeting. Lieutenant Baker, CCSO was in attendance to receive a signed copy on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office to deliver to the County Commissioners at their Oct. 7 meeting for execution. In support of the MOU, Abner led the discussion for a budget modification that shows the delta between the budget amount for the Federalsburg Police Department and the amount to be paid to the Caroline County Sheriff's Department for services provided under the MOU. A more in-depth discussion on the budget modification, to be considered formally as an ordinance, will be taken up at the Oct. 20 meeting.
Nagel reminded the Mayor and Council that they stated that there would be another town hall style public meeting on the topic of the Sheriff’s Office providing policing to the Town of Federalsburg prior to the execution of the MOU. A public meeting was not held prior to the signing of the MOU.
Marina Park and East Central Ave. Pumping Stations project
Ryan noted that the town needs to engage bond counsel to provide a recommendation on whether the town can carry the bond debt for the project. If the town decides to move forward with the project, bond counsel is required for filing the bond, drafting the bond ordinance, and providing annual certifications. Ryan suggested that prior to engaging bond counsel, the town ensures that it can obtain interim financing.
Separate from the need for bond counsel, Abner has been in discussion with Maryland Rural Development Corporation to provide project management services for the project. Ryan noted that the project has been put out to bid, a contractor has been selected with GMB providing A/E and management services. The Maryland Department of the Environment is holding approval of the project itself for selection of bond counsel and proof of interim financing.
Both pumping stations require refurbishing, and the town is under contract with engineering firm GMB on architectural and engineering services.
