Other Highlights from the
“Our goal with the Pathways Plan is to have a draft presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission next month. After that we will hold both a public workshop and public hearing before final adoption this spring.”
“Both Ebb Valley Elementary and the Finksburg Library will boast geothermal systems to heat and cool the buildings.”
Other Highlights from 2007
Bond Rating
Each year the county sells bonds to pay for a portion of the costs of capital expenses such as schools, roads, parks, and government buildings. The bonds are rated on the county’s credit-worthiness and ability to repay the investors who purchase the bonds. Again this year, Carroll earned excellent ratings from all three rating agencies. Fitch gave the county a rating of AA+, Standard and Poor’s a rating of AA, and Moody’s Aa2. As a result, the county’s interest rate was 3.94 percent on the $37,105,000 in bonds it issued November 13, 2007. The lower the interest rate, the less money the county must pay back over the life of the bonds.
To gain the high ratings, the Departments of the Comptroller, Economic Development, and Management and Budget presented information to the rating agencies about the county’s finances, management, economy, and demographics.
In their analysis Fitch commented on Carroll’s financial health that:
“The 'AA+' rating reflects
The impartial judging panel said Carroll’s annual report met high standards, including demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to communicate clearly the county’s financial story.
Citizen Services
The “Get Connected”
As an alternative to out-of-home placement, the Adventure Diversion Program served 30 juveniles who violated court orders. This program is a partnership with the Local Management Board, Department of Juvenile Services, and Carroll County Youth Service Bureau.
During the second year of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription Drug Discount Card Program,
In December, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Long-Term Treatment Facility, which will open this year to help people with addictions. The idea for such a center was conceived after 10 heroin overdoses occurred in the county from 1997-2000. A partnership between Carroll County Government and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene led to plans for this 15,000-square-foot facility located on the
The opening of the cold weather shelter addition at Safe Haven expanded the facility to service approximately 25 additional men and women with day rooms, sleeping space for men and women, kitchen and laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, and additional storage space.
Comptroller
For the 22nd consecutive year,
In July a newly designed annual real estate tax bill was introduced. The new tax bill is a single-sheet, self-sealing form with no envelope. An automated system cuts preparation time by using a machine that does the folding and sealing.
Economic Development
The Department of Economic Development won three NACo 2007 Achievement Awards for the following programs that promote quality and effectiveness: 1) Fresh Start Farmers' Market, a partnership with the Department of Health that provides Women, Infants & Children (WIC) recipients their own market to purchase locally grown produce with vouchers provided by WIC; 2) Four Partners One Purpose, a small business education program delivered by Carroll Community College, the Small Business Development Center and Start-up Carroll and underwritten by Economic Development; and 3) Partnership for Technology Driven Economic Development, a dynamic partnership with the Carroll Technology Council that enhances technology cluster development through a supportive business climate and provides educational programs and business development resources for existing technology companies.
Eldersburg was named No. 56 of the “Top 100 Places to Live” by CNN’s Money Magazine. The top 466 places were ranked based on factors such as: purchasing power, property taxes, education, job growth, availability of leisure and cultural activities, weather, and health.
Human Resources
Carroll County Government job classifications and pay scales are available on the County’s web site (http://ccgovernment.carr.org) and residents may also apply for job vacancies online. The online application submissions account for more than 70 percent of the applications processed.
Information Technology Services
The first phase of an Integrated Land Management System was completed. When the next phase is completed early this year, the system will provide a centralized database that allows departments to track and manage building and planning activities, including: permitting, inspections, workflow, contractor licenses, zoning, development plan review, and other critical functions.
To improve services for residents, Carroll County Government is undertaking a data collection project. Spatial Systems Associates of Columbia has been contracted to gather information on street centerlines and attributes, building locations, addresses, access roads and driveways. The project is expected to be completed in October and will enhance the ability of Planning, Public Safety and other government agencies to improve the quality of life in
We are one year into a three- to four-year project to provide high-speed voice and data connections to all
A document management and records retention program has begun that will create backup copies of all necessary paper documents onto a computer-based system. This system will allow staff to search the entire database for information and will fit in with the County’s continuity of operations plan. Implementation will eliminate the need for approximately 600 filing cabinets.
Recreation and Parks
Improvements were made to a number of facilities, including a new walking trail at
The Department was faced with a major challenge when the rifle range at the Hap Baker Firearms Facility burned down in February. While the pistol range was undamaged and remained open, significant effort went into the reconstruction of the rifle range, which reopened in October in time for the 2007 hunting season.
Our Community Recreation Programs expanded to more than 300 offerings last year.
Hashawha
Piney Run
Added six new rowboats for rentals to replace aging fleet
Completed a larger fishing area on the Lake Trail consisting of decking, benches and picnic area.
Added three new piers at lakefront to replace aging piers
Eagle Scout projects included the installation of new bridge on Equestrian Trail, the installation of new steps on Inlet Trail to enhance quality of trail, and the continued use of fish habitat structures to improving angling
2008 Recreation and Parks projects:
Public Safety
During drought conditions, firefighters cannot rely upon ponds and small streams to battle blazes. That is why the Commissioners launched an initiative to establish regional underground fire protection tanks for the county’s volunteer fire companies to use. Carroll’s latest regional fire protection tank was dedicated in August. Firefighters from the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Co. and surrounding departments can utilize the 30,000-gallon fiberglass tank on
In August, the Board of County Commissioners presented the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association with funds totaling $418,415 for two reserve units. Both vehicles will replace aging equipment used extensively by all 14 volunteer companies in
As of September, residents and business in
In October,
The county is testing a 40-acre parcel of Lehigh Cement Co. property along
Miscellaneous
Freedom District Water Treatment Plant Groundbreaking – A new water treatment plant along Liberty Reservoir will allow
Carroll County Builders for the Bay brings together the Home Builders Association of Maryland, the
Carroll County Public Library’s sixth branch will be a 15,000-square-foot “green” building on more than 10 acres in Finksburg. With a geothermal energy system and other sustainable design features, the eco-friendly structure will provide a central gathering place for the Finksburg community. Ground was broken last August, with its opening planned for later this year.
20080110 Other Highlights from the
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