AGENDA MAY 20, 2025 PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 p.m. à BOARD OF COUNTY 5 COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 0 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 Ms. Cynthia Sapp, Budget and Grant Administrator Ms. Sharon Muir, Internal Auditor Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The Board of County Commissioners is not considering a property tax rate increase. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY MAY20, 2025 PUBLIC HEARING Proposed FY 2026 Budget At 7:00 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the County Commissioners Office, Commissioner President Charles Laird, declared a Public Hearing open regarding Somerset County's Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Also, in attendance were Commissioner Vice-President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing, Commissioner Darryl Webster, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies, Sr., Interim County Administrator Emest J. Leatherbury Jr., Internal Auditor, Sharon Muir, Grant and Budget Administrator Cynthia Sapp, Executive Aide, Lory E. Ebron, and Executive Secretary Kimberly Lopez. Mr. Leatherbury began' by reading the Notice of Public Hearing into record as follows: NOTICE (advertised on May 7 & 14, 2025) PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. In the County Commissioners Meeting Room Somerset County Office Complex, Room 111 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, Maryland 21853 Fair Summary The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, proposed fees, rates, and charges. The Board of County Commissioners is not considering a property tax rate increase. The meeting will be held in-person to receive public comment. Individuals wishing to make oral or written comments are encouraged to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to testify will be allowed to speak inj person. Thep proposed FY26 budget will be made: available at the public hearing on May 20, 2025 at 7 pm and will continue to be posted for public viewing through. June 2, 2025, during regular officel hours, weekdays 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m., at the Office ofthe Somerset County Commissioners, Room 111, Somerset County Office Complex, 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland; and online at on the county's website: www.somersetmlus BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr. Deputy County Administrator Mr. Leatherbury continued, advising that anyone wishing to make public comments at the appropriate time should feel free to come to the podium, state your name and address and proceed with your comments, limiting those comments to no more than five (5) minutes. Mr. Leatherbury reminded those present that minor changes can be made on the budget up to the day of adoption, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Mr. Leatherbury then tured the meeting over to Ms. Sharon Muir to present the PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Muir first introduced: herself as Internal Auditor and proceeded top present the following FY 2026 Budget Highlights in her PowerPoint presentation, summarized as follows: Iti is proposed to retain the current real property tax rate for FY2026 at $1.00, remaining the same. for eleven (II) years The County will expect an increase in real property tax revenue in FY 2026 due to increases in assessments from SDAT, estimated at 11.86% or approximately $2 Million Personal Property tax is expected to increase by 8.18% or approximately! $343,875 Effective 4/23/25 the County has taken on the ambulance services for Princess Anne and established an Emergency Medical Services Division to handle all aspects ofthe ambulance services operation. This will result in approximately $7 Million in operating and capital expenditures within the FY 2026 County Budget Total Capital Projects proposed is $9.4 Million There are no capital projects budgeted for the Board of Education in FY 2026, for the fifth yeari in a row Total appropriation approved for County Roads is $2.7 Million (a decrease $1.4 Million from last year) $8.61 Million of General Fund will be used to balance the budget. Total revenue from Real and Railroad taxes for FY2026 is $1,913,034,000 Total revenue from Property Taxes for FY 2026 is $23,203,555 compared to $21,024,610 last year Other significant revenues from all sources total $65,515,421 for FY 2026 as compared to $56,404,695. for FY 2025 Expenditures total $65,515,421 for FY 2026 compared to $56,404,695 for FY 2025 Board of Education expenditures totaled $13,134,354 for FY 2026 as compared to $10,797,067 for FY 2025 President Charles Laird asked if there was anyone present wishing to make public comment. Mr. John Bamette, 13250 Pruitt Lane, Princess Anne/Mt. Vernon came forward. First, Mr. Bamette stated he noticed that there is no road maintenance planned in the budget this year, questioning why. President Charles Laird advised that during budget deliberations, Mr. Woody Barnes felt our roads were in good shape for a year and there would not be detriment to the road bed in skipping the year. Vice President Randy Laird also explained that Mr. Barnes noted that historically road maintenance was on a 5-year cycle, with four years of road maintenance performed, and the Sth year being budgeted to purchase equipment. Mr. Barnette stated he was asking the rationale for the decision, feeling there are many rough roads currently in the county such as those having cracks, leading to icy roads in the winter, such as Polks Road. He noted that hei is a proponent of EMS, and questioned the appropriation of$702,000 VS $670,000 last year for the Volunteer Fire Companies. Ms. Muir noted the slight increase was due to additional monies added to 508 AMOSS grant funds and some additional funding added. Last, Mr. Barnette expressed his concern, askingi ifiti is good public participation with presenting the proposed budget at the public hearing versus having the proposed budget provided a week before so people can review the proposed budget, and see what is going on up front. He asked that consideration be given going forward. Mr. Sydney Merrill and Mr. Billy Barnes and a reporter with WMDT were also present, but did not request to address the Board. With: no further business, Mr. Leatherbury advised that written comment will be taken for 10 days, or until June 2, 2025 at 4:30 pm. President Charles Laird declared the public hearing closed at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Lory E. Ebron Executive Aide Approved By: Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County