Commissioner - Regular Meeting

the order. Okay. Welcome to the Queen's County Commissioners meeting. This is a public meeting that is being aired live on our local cable television station QACV7. These media broadcasts provide county citizens an opportunity to watch and review our scheduled public meetings. In addition to our live audience this evening, we are providing remote options for citizens to watch and participate in county commissioner meetings. Citizens may watch our meeting live on our website at qac.orglive or on our public access governmental television channel provided by breezeline cable services. Citizens may also participate by joining the live Zoom meeting by going to qac.org/public comment and citizens may also email comments to public comment at qac.org. All comments received will be summarized during the press and public comment period on tonight's agenda. We acknowledge everyone's participation and by attending you acknowledge that this session is both recorded and aired. Press and public comment will be taken and is limited to three minutes per person. If you do get care to speak, please sign up at the information table in our lobby. Comments longer than three minutes can be submitted in writing for the commissioner's review. We will now stand and be led in the pledge of allegiance by Commission President Jim Moran. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Nobody signed up, Jim. Cool. Okay. Hey. Uh, the agenda for today's uh meeting May 12th along with the regular minutes, session minutes from April 28th, they've all been circulated for review. Any additions or corrections? Nope. Going to make a motion to accept the agenda as submitted and the meeting minutes as submitted. Somebody's got to second that. Second. We have a motion and second. All those in favor? I opposed. Abstain. Absent. Commissioner Dumino is on assignment. He won't be with us this evening. Rolling on.

Okay. All right. We just held a uh close session under the general provisions article section 3305B1 for boards and commissions and personnel and section 3305B8 for potential litigation. I believe we have a few board appointment members to appoint this evening. Commissioners, first one is Baybridge Airport Advisory Committee. I move to Oh, excuse me. I move to appoint Guy Magcguire to fill the vacancy on the Bay Bridge Airport Advisory Committee. This term will expire June 30th, 2029. Second.

We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. So moved. Second one is the board of licensed commissioners. Excuse me. We're going to hold that one. Uh the next one would be the police accountability board. I move to let's see these are going to be reappoint Douglas WAC Janet Paul's James Thompson Bernard Suski and Pete Elitis to fill the vacancies on the police accountability board. These terms will expire June 30th of 2030. Second motion. Who who called the motion? We did. You got the motion. You got the second.

Okay. All those in favor?

I opposed. So moved. Uh, next one is the Social Services Advisory Board. I move to reappoint Ronda Knots to fill the vacancy on the Social Services Advisory Board. This term will expire June 30th, 2029. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. So moved. Okay. So, I move to reappoint Katherine Bonner, Dolores Jones, and Kelly Fipps to fill the vacancies on the Travel and Tourism Advisory Committee. These terms will expire March 30th, 2029. I also move to appoint Cashira Brooks to fill the vacancies on the Travel Travel and Tourism Advisory Bo Committee. These terms will expire on March 31st, 2029. Second.

A motion second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. So moved. You go. Uh I move to approve uh the revised retiree health insurance program policy as indicated. Second. We have a motion in a second. Any discussion on this item? Uh a round table. I'll give a little meat on the bones on that, but I think we just do the motion now. Yes, sir. All right. We have a motion in a second. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I I opposed. So move 40.

All right. Thank you commissioners. This all the announcements we have from the closed session. So we can move into the regular agenda. Actually we have press and public comment first. Do we have any? Nobody signed up. Would anybody like to speak? Press and public comment. We'll go ahead and close that.

All right, commissioners. And next up we have uh legislation. We have the comprehensive water and sewer planformational meeting for the Marling Farms and Dominion sewer service area map. So I think um Director Quimby is here. So this is um we have a public hearing on this item on May 26th scheduled to discuss the amendment to include the Marling Farms and Dominion map areas map sewer service area maps for the areas of public health concern uh in our comprehensive water and sewer plan. This is a prerequisite to extending a public sewer service line to these communities that have exhibited public health concerns since 1984. So, I'll let Mr. Quimby provide any additional details and um you can have if you have any questions about this particular amendment. Now's the time to voice those questions or ideas.

Yeah, as Todd indicated, in order for us to access any state funding project has to be in water and sewer plan. uh this and Southern Canalan were in the 2011 plan, but there was not a consensus amongst the commissioners at that time whether there was a problem or there was a problem how the county service to the area was best. So in order to get the plan adopted, we just pulled all four maps out. We remended the Southern Can Island maps back in in 2014, but we never recommended the Mar Farms of Dominion map back in. So, we need to do this in order to access funding and and like Todd said to go toward the smart growth coordinating uh committee to get the public health exemption and we will have to have another hearing when it goes from S3 to S2 which is when we would more readily uh request public involvement.

Okay. So at this time we don't need any action on this. Just aformational discussion today of questions and then we'll have the public hearing to formally uh consider amending the these two subdivisions into the water and sewer plan May 26th as an S3 service area.

What on what are we thinking for this? Well, if we go get our public health exemption in the fall, we'll immediately start spending money on design. The plan is to start construction and maybe 28 soon as ski shuts down, we'll just roll right into there. If the if we deem it's to move forward. So 28, maybe by 30 it might be done 31. Now, do you have as much main to run on this one as you did for ski or no? It depends. We don't know yet. It's being it's coming quite difficult. how we're going to get the sewage from there to the sewer plant. Gotcha. So, in miles, no, definitely not. But it could be it could be something.

And I guess for the public, what we're what we're discussing uh is the Marlin Farms uh Dominion Road Corridor. Uh right now, sewer is not run down there. So, everything down there is basically working off of septics. And uh just like in southern Ken Island, the same situation where these septic systems were failing, polluting the the surrounding waterways and not to mention the yards. And uh we're looking to take this same method we did at Kent Island and do it at Marlin Farms and down Dominion Road to get them onto a treatment plant and remove that nitrogen and phosphorus that's going into all sorts of places. So correct. All right. Well,

anybody from that area or no folks down Marlin Points? No. Mr. Director, just I don't know, early last week I was just talking with somebody who lives down Marlin Farms. I didn't know who they were. And he was just thrilled about what the county is going to do because his septic is failing. And he's claiming he can't get a new certificate to get a new one. Nor does I mean he doesn't also want to spend thousands to build a new one knowing knowing that something's coming. Knowing the calvary is coming.

Yeah. I lived in when I lived in Queenstown before it connected to sewer, we had a failing septic system and it's no fun. Yeah. Very good. Anything questions? Good. Thank you, sir. Thanks, Alan. Allan, while you're here, commissioners, we have one item of public works agreement we can take care of now if you'd like to. If you want to convene quickly as the sanitary commission motion to convene a san. Motion second. All those in favor? I

I thank you. And uh this is under tab number two, item one, pages one through five. This is a public works agreement in the town of Sersville for Fox Farms. And if you recall on April 14th, uh the sanitary commission granted them 61,750 gallons of water and sewer allocation for their 247 uh dwelling unit subdivision within the town. And this is the PWA that stipulates the um the contract for the that allocation for his project. I move to execute the public works agreement with uh Fox Farm LLC to allow them to construct 171 single family homes and 76 town houses within the environs of the town of Southernersville.

Second. We have a motion in a second. Any discussion? Just so people understand because we've talked before about sewer capacity um getting cap. That's the county sewer capacity is what's capped and that's sewer that wastewater treatment plant is located on Ken Island. Each of the incorporated towns have their own uh well not each but most of them have their own wastewater treat plant. They have their own um availability that's separate from what the county is. So Centerville, Southernersville, Queenstown, they have their own um planting and zoning, their own sewer treatment place that deals with it.

So when we had the uh gentleman here about this project for Seriesville, we asked him if any of his properties would be affordable housing, and he said he he said yes. He's looking into that. So be a good place to move up to Slersville. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. So moved. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Alan.

Okay, commissioners. Uh now we can move into the uh presentations for this evening. Uh first up, if you want to turn to tab number six, item one, uh we have Mr. Warren Wright, Queen Ans County Drug-Free Coalition Chairman and his uh entourage here with him today. So Warren, come on up. Welcome.

Hey, thank you, commissioners. To tonight, we're uh here to uh welcome the 2026 QA county commissioners opioid awareness poster contest and drug-free student ambassadors recognition. So, I guess they're going to come forward here in a minute. All right. Too old. our opioid coordinator, Miss Kelly. Good evening, Julie.

Julie Killy, our opioid and education prevention coordinator, and this is for the opioid poster contest and ambassador program. At this time,

uh we would like to welcome Lynn Roy to join the poster contest winners. We would like to sincerely thank Lynn. Come on, join the poster over there. And uh we're going to uh we'll make you come back in a minute. Um as we would sincerely like to thank Lynn for generous support which made this year's opioid awareness poster contest possible. Lynn graciously donated all the prizes to be awarded this evening. Lynn continues to honor the memory of her late husband Jim, whose kindness and generosity left a lasting mark in our community. Since the poster contest became an annual event in 2020, Jim faithfully supported by funding the contest because he believed deeply in encouraging young people, particularly their creativity, their leadership and involvement in the community where they live. He believed in helping others grow and succeed and quietly work to make a difference where he could. Jim was a respected local businessman. He had a landscaping did landscaping and tree work throughout the community. His work reflected him as a person. He was hardworking, dependable, humble, and he committed was committed uh to helping others. Uh and one of the best and one of the original volunteers for the Queen Ans County Drug Free Coalition. Today, Lynn carries the same spirit through with continuing support for the opioid awareness poster contest and the community Jim cared so deeply about. In recognition of Jim's last influence, the Drug-Free Coalition and the Drug-Free Student Ambassadors are honoring to are honored to dedicate a memorial sign beneath the newly painted planted uh tree uh out in the courtyard. Uh the tree serves as a meaningful tribute to Jim's life, reflecting his lifelong care for trees, for growth in his community. Much like the work he carried out throughout his life, the

sapling represents strength, resilience, and the importance of planting roots that will benefit others to come for years. The dedication will be officially done during CEGO's purple kickoff September the 12th, serving as a lasting tribute to Jim's commitment to the community. It stands as a quiet but powerful remembrance that someone when someone is gone, his kindness, service, and compassion that they shared with their community lives on in others. Thank you, Lynn, for helping carry Jim's legacy forward. I wanted to um give this to Lynn and um Bruce. I wanted to show you guys the plaque.

Beautiful. Can you get that, Bruce? Point it to the camera in the corner. Oh, yeah. I see it now. Well, here we go.

All right. Poster contest. Was Lynn sufficiently moved? Yes. Uh, QAC students in grades 6 through 12 were invited to participate in the countywide annual opioid awareness poster contest. Students are encouraged to be uh create positive, impactful opioid prevention messages paired with meaningful images or creative expression. Um through art and through messagings, they help raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse, fentanyl, and addiction, the importance of making healthy and informed choices when you're younger. The goal of the contest was to raise awareness and u through related issues through creativity in such a way that was engaging, relatable to kids and impactful. The annual poster contest continues to provide young people throughout Queens County with an opportunity to use their voices, ideas, and creativity to make a positive impact. Uh conversations surround opioid prevention, substance misuse, awareness, and resilience and hope. The contest serves as a reminder that youth voices can play a powerful role in educating others, encouraging healthy choices, and engaging our community. The winning posters are are uh enlarged. They are framed, and with the commissioner's help, they were displayed in over 50 different businesses and schools throughout the Queen Ans County. This year, we received 82 entrance. There were seven, one from each public school, high school, public school, high school, and middle school, along with one winner representing Queen Anne's County private schools and homeschool students. The middle school's winners have each earned a $300 Amazon gift card. High school winners were given the choice. They all went with the card. Uh, when your name is read, please take a step forward. Julie will do that.

Avery Canard. Just step forward. Perfect. You want to stand next to Avery? You totally keep you busy. Lyn, hold it up. Not me.

Only if you're going to give me that Amazon card. I can hold that up. Okay. I just want to say I couldn't see the bottom of it from here. Alani deal winter. Not in attendance this evening is GA student.

Got to have a picture. Didn't happen. Brooklyn Phillips. Congratulations everyone.

Make an exit or find a seat or have a more conf. We're not finished with you yet, Lyn. Uh, the drug-free student ambassador should be coming in even as we speak. I want to mention that it was birthday. Yes. Um my compadre just wanted to remind everybody that today May the 12th Jim's birthday Jim Mory's birthday

and and so I don't forget well we just humbled by this but uh it was a kid's idea. Julie got it through the channels. I didn't think it was possible. Jim Moran got into it and so did Todd. And so that's what we're going to do. And thank you all very much. Thank you for your support. Okay. Where are these children? Did they all go home?

This will be hard. Have to face this. Really?

That's an unusual thing. Okay, you guys, collectively 26 students completed 853 hours of service between April 25 and April 26. These students played an essential role in amplifying the mission of the Queen County Drug Free Coalition and QAC Goes Purple by contributing to numerous events and initiatives throughout the year. Though their dedication and service, prevention messages reached countless community members across Queens County helping inspire awareness, action, resilience, and home. Just want to briefly talk about some of the things they did and they've done historically. They participated in the Centerville Christmas Parade. I didn't walk it, but it's two miles. Um, they handed uh gifts or candy to each student, and each piece had a drug-free message in it. Hey, they recorded public service announcements uh downstairs in our local access channel and they got out of there a lot quicker than I would have because they took one or two takes most. Designing updated and maintaining prevention themed storefront windows is still on display. Queenstown outlet. Just drive by there and you'll see it. Uh provide and they update it every once in a while. Providing youth presentations to local school groups. And the thing about them and why they're so good is that the kids really love them and they have fun. Designed to manage a variety of hands-on activities at community events and they supported the QAC domino event in the elementary and the middle schools throughout the county. That is an interesting one. During the domino event, students and staff collected boxes of cereal. Students created age appropriate QAC goes purple messages that were attached to each box. Students built an impressive and me and and a memor memorable largescale domino display for

each school's assembly before donating all the collected cereal boxes to Haven Industries to distribution uh to families who are in need. Through this projects, students not only shared prevention messages, but they all supported families throughout the community, and they all saw firsthand what maybe your little contribution with a lot of other kids makes a really big communic uh uh gift to the communities. The following schools helped make a difference and they collected uh just a meager 1,171 bottles of of cereal and they're not done yet. The project remains ongoing with Canard Elementary School and SMS at Stevensville Middle School, I'm assuming. Yeah. Uh, another example of young people coming together. Uh, this is the big one. The ambassadors are also designing and launching Splash Night, a team-based water gun competition for students in grades 5 through 12 that intertwines substance misuse, mental health awareness, and prevention messaging throughout a through a fast-paced and educational activity. Splash night will take place on May the 23rd at the 4 park. They need lots of room, and we can still use some uh volunteers, by the way. uh just contact uh my cohort here. All of the information about the event along with the participant and volunteer registration can be found at QAC goes purple Facebook and on the Instagram pages. The event would not be possible without the support of the commissioners. The drug free coalition did almost nothing. The 4H park and numerous volunteers this evening. The ambassadors are also receiving certificates from the Queens County Commissioners in recognition for their service. Several students are also being recognized for specific uh accomplishments as ambassadors. These students demonstrated remarkable leadership commitment uh raising awareness to the dangers of opioids and

other substances and promoting healthy substance-free living among their peers in the community. Their dedication and personal growth and service is truly deserving of recognition. That's why we're here tonight. And thank you for asking. Uh will the following please students please step forward as your names are called. This is for May 25 through April 26.

Cance is in Stevensville Middle School and she completed 17 hours of service. Madison Marshall Madison is with Stevensville Middle School completed 30 hours. Samuel Mora, Queen County High School, completed 37 hours. Jacob Khart, Queen County High School, 39 hours completed. Riley Huffton, Ken Island High School, 61 hours of service. Chloe Kchner, Queen Ans County High School, 68 hours. Johnny Figozi, the Gunston School, 69 hours.

Yeah, there is. All right, we're Yep. Um we have a special recognition as well for hundred or or more hours of service uh this last year. Tonight we are proud to honor two exceptional students who've contributed more than 100 hours between May and April. Uh will the following students please step forward? Annayia Brford 111 hours of service. Maggie Porsciello 115 hours of service.

Uh these two their dedication and passion and commitment to the mission of the drug-free student ambassadors program created a stronger, healthier, and a more connected community. They lead by example. The students consistency consistently volunteered their time to support any of the initiatives, the community outreach, the l the youth leadership and awareness efforts throughout Queen Ans County. We would like to sincerely thank both of them for their incredible service, leadership and commitment. They are just the best. Your examples will inspire others to step forward and make a difference as you have. Uh yeah,

I'll do it. Okay. All right. Maggie Porcel, please stand step forward. Okay. She has Okay. Maggie that you know why that is that just Maggie P? Oh, that's why I'm confused. Yeah. Has Well, that's probably not the only reason. uh finished her first year at Chesby College while competing completing 115 hours. Uh Anita Annayia Annayia, can you stand for it?

Yes. She is an eighth grader at Stevensville Middle School. She completed 111 hours of service. She's the eighth grader that when we did those commercials, she got it in the first take. That seems incredible to me. These certificates are proudly presented in recognition of the am exceptional dedication of the Queen Ants County Drug Free Student Ambassadors uh from May 25 to April 26. Are they handing them? Uh today they are also presenting each of you with purple paracord phone wristlets as a symbol of leadership, responsibility, and connection. Here's the best line of the night. A cell phone can be used can be one of the most powerful tools a young person carries every day. It can be used to encourage someone to reach out for help, support a friend, share information, or positively impact others. Throughout their time as student ambassadors, these students use their voices and communication to spread awareness, support prevention efforts, and strengthen their community. The woven paracord represents strength resilience and bonds formed through service and teamwork. Just as a paracord is designed to remain strong under pressure, these students demonstrate a strength of character, leadership, and dedicated dedication throughout the service. And we cannot lay that on more thickly. We hope these wristlets serve not only as practical items they can carry every day, but also as reminders that the tools they hold in their hands, essentially their voice, their influence, and their ability to connect with others, can continue making a meaningful difference whatever life wherever life takes them. Okay. Oh, that's that was great. By the way, um, core ambassadors 202526,

Maggie Porsciello, support, Annayiah Brford, Giani Figliozi, and Khloe Kchner.

All right. While 25 students supported the Queen's County drug fee student ambassador program for this last year, tonight we would like to give special recognition to a dedicated core group. These students continually stepped forward whenever help was needed and became individuals other others could rely on. Whether working behind the scenes supporting outreach efforts, organizing events, or assisting whenever needed, they played an essential role in helping the program accomplish many of its largest goals and the most meaningful says throughout the year. their leadership, teamwork, initiative, resist resilience, and willingness to serve strengthened the program uh and positively impacted the broader uh Queen Ans County community. Tonight, we proudly recognize and thank those students for their outstanding dedication, leadership, and service. Yeah. Uh we have uh graduating students. Wow. Tonight we would like to recognize and honor those remarkable group of students who do dedicated time during their busy high school years to make a meaningful and lasting difference within Queen Ans County. They go to school, they add a sport or an activity, and then they do the drug-free coalition. Uh the ambassadors through the service as a drug-free student ambassador. These young leaders chose to stand for something greater than themselves by promoting prevention, encouraging positive choices, and helping raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. With compassion, courage, and commitment, they became the voices of encouragement and the hope of for their peers and for their community. As the these students prepare to close one chapter and begin a new one, we want to celebrate not only their accomplishments

but also the lasting influence they have had on this program. As your name is is called, you are already standing in line here.

Jacob Carheart, step forward, please. Jacob is a senior at Queen Ans County High School. Has completed 220 hours of service between 2022 and 2026. Giani Figliozi. Giani is a senior at Gunston School, has completed 171 hours of service between 2024 and 2026. Samuel Mora. Samuel is a senior at Queen Ans County High School. He has completed 164 service hours between 2022 and 2025. Not able to attend tonight is Maggie Burton, a junior cre. She completed 189 hours of service between 22 and 26. She leaves uh during her senior year to complete her journey at Clarkston University. Finn Castello, a senior at St. Mary's High School has completed 47 service hours between 24 and 26 and Ariana Lewis, a senior at QACHS has completed 20 hours. This time, each of our graduating ambassadors is also being presented with a braided paracord uh bracelet in recognition of their service and leadership. Paracord is designed to be strong and dependable and withstand pleasure much like the leadership and the resilience of these students. The braided uh strands represent the many students, families, schools, and community members connected through the program and strengthened by working together as they move forward into the next chapter. We hope these bracelets serve as a reminder of the impact that they have made and the help they have given and the strength that they carry with them in the future. To each of our f graduating ambassadors, thank you for your time, your energy, and your compassion and the heart you you poured

out into this program. Your efforts strengthened our schools, supported our peers, uh, and built a healthier and more informed community. Uh, as you continue your next chapters of your lives, we wish you each continued success, happiness, and purpose. Congratulations. Thank you for your service. We will and always remember that the impact you made here will not be forgotten.

Is he done? Okay, we got the purple. All right. Can I skip this?

Okay. Tonight we privately recognize those students graduates as recipients of the purple graduation court in honor of their dedication and leadership service and substance misuse prevention efforts within Queens County. Though their involvement they through their involvement they help promote positive choices strengthen their schools and their community and serve as role models for the peers. Jacob and Sam, can you step forward please? You came to Okay. Special recognition. You got the points.

Special recognitions. Maggie Porsiello, please step forward.

In my defense, it's always been Maggie P. Mag is not only one of our founding members of the QAC drug free student ambassadors program, but she also chose to continue serving an additional year following high school. Between 22 and 26, she did an impressive 461 hours of service. She continually demonstrated extraord extraordinary dedication, initiative, leadership. She leads by example and commitment to the mission of the program. For the past two years, uh Maggie served as the lead ambassador for the for the group, leading with compassion, professionalism, and and purpose. Whether coordinating events, monitoring younger ambassadors, supporting prevention activities, or representing the program throughout the community, she consistently sets a standard for leadership. Her passion for helping others and strengthen the community inspired those around her and playing an important role in the continued growth and success of the program. Tonight, we proudly recognize Maggie for her exceptional contribution, leadership, and unwavering dedication to to help build a safer community. Maggie, thank you for your legacy you leave behind and the countless ways you made a meaningful difference. As to as you continue forward with your college journey, we wish to continue you. We we wish you continued success, happiness, and opportunity to keep inspiring others through your leadership and service. I get a little tired because every time I am able to meet with the kids, Maggie is always there working. Oh, thanks, Stay. Yeah, we're just about done. Partnership recognition. The the ambassadors are fortunate to have the support of numerous organizations and community partners who contribute to

the continued success of the program. Tonight, we are honored to publicly recognize several of the outstanding supporters. Without their support, the program wouldn't be able to deliver impactful events and initiative that makes it make a difference. Their continued encouragement, generosity, and belief in the mission of the students strengthen the program's reach and amplified its impact. We are greatly we are deeply grateful for the partnership uh and shared commitment. Please help us recognize the Queen Anne County Commissioners, Queen County Drug Free Coalition, Queens County Public Schools, QACV, the Centerville, the Centerville, no uh the Queen County Sheriff's Office, and the Queenstown Premium Outlets. We would also like to recognize a new supporter for QAC Goes Free Student Ambassador Program who has chosen to remain anonymous. Through her generosity and creative craftsmanship, she handcrafted the meaningful paracord items that have been presented tonight. Each piece reflects not only time and talent, but a genuine belief in mission and impact for students continue to make throughout the community. Her kindness, creativity, and support serve as a powerful reminder of how community members can help encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders. and you will be happy to know that u you guys deserved every bit of that recognition. I just wanted to say that I hope the new tree becomes a wedding tree again. I saw several take place when I walked out of court on numerous occasion. I sometimes joined them. Scotty Mlashian was always there. He made it special for all the couples. Jim's spirit should be an inspiring and fitting presence for all of those occasions. a legacy of growth and giving. Um to the student ambassadors, I just have to say the h highest compliment we give or used to give when I worked for the board of

education was you make a difference and you all make a difference. Uh to about uh uh our opioid coordinator, Miss Killy, uh one can only reference the term ball of fire. Um and a work ethic that no one else can match. and she makes it all happen. Uh lastly, um none of this would happen without the continued support of the county commissioners, Queens County. Thank you all very much and for your patience.

Hold on.

Got one more. Mr. Warren, would you stand up? Get the microphone there, Bruce. So, wait a minute. United States Congressional Congressman Congress. Congressman Andy Harrison.

Loves you and just let you know how blessed we are to have you do everything that you do for our community, for our towns, for our farmers, for our watermen, for our kids, for everybody in this room. And I just want to say congratulations.

Hey, thank you so much, uh, Commissioner Good job to all the parents. Good job. Great. Thank you so much. Thank you, Lynn. A

No, that's okay. I literally just ran out of Seriously, you did

Jim Moran and Jim's birthday. Oh, really? Oh, okay. Oh, no. No, not Jim. Just Roy. I thought you said Jim. No, I know. Literally, when's your birthday? Excuse me. Birthday. Sam. December 26th. Thank you. Ah, there now. All right. Good to see you all. Likewise. Yes. You will indeed. What? Thank you, Lynn. Huh? My birthday. He thought they said that was your birthday today. And Jim Royce. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Just Jim Royce. Bruce, since you gave this to me, I'm only on page 10. Bruce, turn. Can I have some more time?

You definitely know how to clear room. Look at that, man. My personality. It's all good, man. What's funny is you couldn't find a seat now. You got any You got your pick of them out there. Got all of them. I get nothing from you. Well, I did already. My plates. I still love them. I look at them every night. Look at them every night. That's right. And that's that's true love. True love. Well, we may have a few more of them for you soon, so we'll make another trip over there. That's right. All right, commissioners. Uh, our next presenter is uh has a tough act to follow, but it is the Bruce Barriiana with our 2026 legislative wrap-up. Mr. Bariano, please, you have the floor, sir. Thank you.

Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the Queen Ants County Commission. Uh, uh, for the record, Bruce Beriano, your registered lobbyist. First of all, I want to thank all of you individually and collectively for the continued honor, and I really mean it, of representing you as your lobbyist in Annapolis during the past legislative session and for the previous years. Uh I have uh been very honored. I've enjoyed it immensely. And uh uh I uh I just want you to know that I don't take it for granted. I thank you very very much. Uh I I gave you those books. I wanted you to have them. uh you you may need them for reference or anything like that. If there's anything in there that you want to follow up with me on or any material or any bills or any documents you want me to get as a result of any of that, please let me know. I'll be I'll be very uh you know glad to get that to you. Uh I would like to just run through a couple of things generally and uh be happy to answer any any questions you may have. Not in any particular order of priority or what have you because I think everything is important. Let me first talk about the judgeship bill. As you know, for the past couple of years, we've been trying to get legislatively created a second circuit court judgeship in Queen Ants County. Uh we were on the verge, and when I say we, I'm talking about your delegation. Uh we had tremendous support uh uh in both the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. uh the bill was ready to come out and quite frankly and I say this very politely, the chief justice of the of the Supreme Court uh of of of Maryland uh uh requested that uh the other piece of legislation not be interfered with or or or or changed or anything like that and is promised that uh in the next legislative session uh uh you know ne next year that money would be funded and

that a bill will go in to create that additional judgeship. I worked very very closely uh and you need to know this very closely and cooperatively with your sheriff, your state's attorney, your clerk of court, your current uh circuit court judge. Uh the case was made. It's very real. They know everything. For those of you that uh preceded me, you know that uh originally the court said to you, "Build a courthouse and we will give you another judge. You need one." you all did it at your expense, at your your commitment. So, uh, Senator Hershey and I and it's on my calendar and I'm I've you can ask very sincerely. I've been a I've been a dog with a bone on this issue because it is very very greatly needed and and your states attorney, your sheriff, your your clerk of court made it very very clear. uh Senator Hershey and I are going to have a meeting after the summer with the chief justice uh and finalize everything uh get money in the budget. So in other words, when the legislature creates the the additional judgeship next year, there will be money uh from the state side. I know there are expenses at the county level, but that which the state pays for will be done. And um uh I am very very confident and optimistic it will be done uh next year uh uh for certain and primarily the the leadership in the House and Senate judiciary committees are coming back. they saw the case was made and um it really was a question of uh uh the court system wanting to uh take a role and and seem like they're they're doing it rather than our you know making it a little awkward for them and everything. Uh so I wanted to report that to you. We did make progress. We did make commitments and I uh uh really expect it's going to happen next year

and you all know it's very needed. Uh and uh uh uh so so that was on on that bill. There was a legislation in that I caught that would have taken away a half million dollars from the money previously allocated for the detention center for the regional detention center. and I went to uh to to your delegation uh and said, "Let's try to save some of that money." Uh so we did change the language. We were we were able to save a $100,000 of it to get started. I worked with uh Lamont Cook, you know, with the award unfortunately. And I I don't know why. It was last minute and you know, God willing, we're all well and healthy and I'm I'm just um uh uh next year we can get it removed. the money was appropriated, the the hundred million, I mean the the hundred,000 to get started. Once again, they were going to take away a half million that had been previously appropriated. But they did add language saying that the that the 100,000 was was contingent upon the county coming up with a match. And I don't know where that came out of. It was last minute. I was not able to stop that language, but uh I'm I'm very hopeful we can get that language removed because previously, as you all know, the monies that had been appropriated for the regional and and even uh for your detention center itself did not have any of that contingency. But uh the bottom line and it at least in my view, I'm not trying to exaggerate on it, is that it it keeps the thing very much alive. It's it's a very important matter. I did not want to just have the half million dollars lost. I mean, I know you're proceeding on your own with your detention center and I wanted to keep that issue before the legislature and uh and it is and and I think we can go forward not only in hopefully reversing that language but but further continuing the the uh the

funding of uh of a new detention center uh uh for for for the for the county. Um there was, as you know, there was a lot of testimony and a lot of uh publicity about the the voter rights bill that was passed for local governments uh uh requiring uh uh county governments to uh uh to change their their voting patterns to avoid any any any any discrimination or inappropriate uh uh uh and then the day after that, the Supreme Court came out with their case, which I know you're you know, you're you're aware of and the ruling of that case does come down to the counties and particularly the state through the 14th amendment. As you all know, the 14th amendment is a vehicle for federal rights to to go to to the local government. So, um uh I think personally I think that that that uh Supreme Court case uh undercuts dramatically if not completely negates that legislation passed. I know some of the other counties had a had a great concern about it. I know uh in particularly uh Caroline did and uh I just you know wanted to report to you that's uh re really really in limbo and I think the court case will will really uh you know have have quite an effect.

So does that mean that uh Congressional District 6 should be challenged because that's exactly what they did. They went into German Town and took out by, you know, they did it by race. Yeah. Yeah. Uh uh it it it uh the the the Supreme Court ruling, which, you know, has not been applied yet or anything, it's it's uh

as I read it, and I'm just one person, it it makes clear that that factor cannot be a factor at all in a redistricting or a or a form of government uh legislatively. uh uh from that standpoint. So, I I mean I I know some of the other counties that I work with were were more concerned about about that issue. Uh uh but I did want to just bring that uh to you to your attention and uh uh uh the legislation did pass, the governor did sign it, but I I think it's really impacted dramatically by that Supreme Court decision. Um couple other things just just quickly to bring to your attention. And I know you have other things on the agenda on the agenda. A bill was passed, House Bill 14, which requires county board of educations uh on a yearly basis January 31st of every year to issue a report to the uh superintendent of uh uh the state board of of education on any bullying, harassment, or intimidation reports or collections or status relative to the school systems in all counties. So that passed and that that uh is a reporting uh each each and every year. I think each of you received from me a breakdown in the big energy bill on on the impact on data centers. I just wanted to bring that to your attention so you had that information to any extent to which if at all uh this county is particularly uh impacted by that or there's any activity. I know some other uh counties are, but I want wanted you to have it and uh anything further you want on that, but I I think the summary makes very clear um the the the provisions uh really that late relate to this. There was a bill in the House and Senate that would have mandated uh local government employees, public employees collective bargaining. Th those two bills were killed in the in the in the

House and in the Senate. Um there were uh administration bills uh uh put in by the governor that would have uh dramatically impacted uh I think uh county zoning and land use authority relative to housing. Uh those bills had hearings. They just died immediately. I mean they didn't even move. They they never they they they they never went anywhere. you should have received from me and if you want any follow-up documents or information, you know, sort of a final status of all the bills that I tracked. I probably tracked more bills than, you know, were necessary, but I'd rather heir on the side of, you know, whether I where wherever I saw the word county, I I I wanted to, you know, include it because uh it could potentially uh uh uh apply uh in in that regard. Um uh Queen Ans County's bill authorizing the use of revenues for development impact fees fees that did pass and uh has been signed uh uh by the governor. The uh two bills dealing with uh uh the the roads and speeding and monitor did uh did did not get enacted. They did not get enacted. Um I worked very closely with your your four legislators. Uh I personally feel and I I'm not criticizing anyone else but I personally feel that uh I've never seen uh for a number of years such a a incredibly strong unified working relationship between your senators and your delegates and dealing with the issues affecting the county. They they really have things covered. Senator Hershey is highly regarded and respected across the aisle in the Senate and has been very impactful with his with his delegation. And each of your your your delegates are ranking members on the committees that they sit in. So they're in the back room. They're involved in decisions.

There's a there's a just a greater representation uh than otherwise would would would be the case. One or two other items. Another bill passed, House Bill 1143, setting up a task force to modernize county and municipal revenue structures. Uh that is due to uh a report on or about December one. I'm going to follow that and you know want to make sure you you are aware of that. Um it was a very uh unusual legislative session. I would just say uh in the sense that it was a legislative session, I'll be very brief that started out immediately uh uh pitting legislators against each other primarily in the House on the redistricting issue. uh usually uh any any tension or awkwardness or or emotions develop later on in the session as bills and issues develop and everything. But here you had uh for about four or five days some very severe clashes in the House of Delegates relative to the redistricting issue which did somewhat spill over to the Senate. I mean not formally. There was no debate, no discussion, but it it really started the legislature off in a very different mood and atmosphere mentally and and just emotionally of the legislators with each other and unfortunately it continued and had an impact on the legislative session. Um

you don't see him calling a special session? Not at all. Not at all. Absolutely not. They'll they'll he's going to reintroduce it. Not notary. Yeah. I mean, it's uh special session had to be called by the 11th. If it wasn't called by the 11th, it couldn't happen. So, is redistricting going to be consuming a lot of time in January, this coming January?

Uh I don't know, but it would not surprise me. Uh it it really would depend if uh I'm not trying to get overly political. I mean, if the Democrats do take over the House or the Senate or both or one, I mean, the issue probably probably would go away. I um uh I I I think um I I know the presiding officer in the Senate uh has a uh very very real race on on his hands. Uh he's very unified. The senators have been very unified in their in their view on it. I uh I'm speaking personally now. I uh uh I I think the uh the opinion by the Virginia Supreme Court really just didn't surprise me at all because I personally think that uh had the legislature passed anything that that our state supreme court and this is just my views would would have overturned it and it would have been a it would have affected everyone's elections including you know your your own from the standpoint of of filing deadlines and and and what have you. So uh um

and they did that previously anyhow. So, excuse me. They they already did that two four years ago. Yeah. So, uh um but uh I mean I I do not know. I I really hope we'll I really hope the legislature will move on to the substantive issues that are very important to the to the people and the public. And uh uh uh I mean from a personal standpoint and maybe I should just you know not say these things. I I think that uh the issue also to me shows a a lack of real respect for the Eastern Shore. Yes, sir.

I mean, the state of Maryland's American miniature. I think our beauty and our strength and and I love living in this state is a diversity of it geographically. uh uh way of thinking uh uh uh the way of life. I mean it is American miniature and and I think uh uh there needs to be uh uh a respect and recognition and I and it's just my own personal views of uh all parts of the state of Maryland and the eastern shore. Yes, it's very different than the west than western Maryland than than the central part of Maryland. That's strengthened the beauty of the state of Maryland. And uh um I just wish it would be uh more respected and recognized that we are all Marylanders and uh and should not be so divisive from that standpoint. Uh uh be happy to answer any questions you may not you may have. I know you have other things on your agenda. I I love working with you you all. I I really do. Uh I will be at Mako. I would appreciate if you could let me know when your DOT, you know, meeting is. I'd be glad to be there to sit and, you know, participate on on full throttle till December.

Sweet. So, I had a Zoom with MDH yesterday again. Um, and I brought up the uh the I didn't have to bring up because this is their job about the uh the suicides we've had and that we've been trying to build a crisis center or a PHP partial hospitalization. We have a $5 million grant and we're going to lose it within a few months if we don't get matching from funds from the state. So, we needed based upon USDA rules, you have to have a 25% matching fund. And um I brought it up and they blew me off again. So, I've personally talked to the deputy secretary at least twice and so did Senator Hershey. So did Delegate Christ. So, this isn't just this commission. It's

you just said I will follow up with him. I will You just said it. It's a it's about respect and you know the Eastern Shore does not get the respect that we should and this is kind of a prime example. This this this partial hospitalization will be for all of Maryland's kids that are having suicidal ideiations, not just for Queen Anne's County, right? It's going to it we're actually in in with four other counties with it. So, I don't even know what to say about it except we need your help.

I will follow up with Senator Hershey and Delegate Christ uh and uh uh because if there is a grant if there is a grant program in Department of Health uh and there's a time frame that we have to act on it.

Mr. Bruce, it's called the the rural health transformation and there's $168 million in it. It's just for rural health. It's over a billion dollars and our share is one point is not is $168 million and we'll we'll get it again next year assuming you know unless the house flips over and they cut it off. So the money's there. It's just a matter of MDH realizing that this could benefit the whole state and it can and it will and it should. This is not a big ask.

I will follow up. Poultry 1.2 and then we also need operational of 1.5 to two. I will follow up. I will. Thank you, sir. Any other question? Good to go. Thank you very much. Good to see you. Pleasure to see you again. And thank you. Thank you again. Thank you, Bruce. And please pick up a couple of Queen Ans County bags. I think you need a new right outside the door. Right outside the door say please. Please take several reading. You have to sign it out though. Really? It's been a tremendous pleasure. Good to see you, Bruce. All right. Thank you so much. Yeah.

Don't forget the toss crabs, please. To crab, please, please. All right, commissioners. That is all the presentations we had this evening. So, we have um two additional action items. So, commissioners, if you want to turn to uh tab three, action items, tab three, item one, pages one through four, we have the Maryland Department of Information Technology annual payment. And this is a uh request to authorize uh approval uh for payment on the county's existing contract with the Maryland Department of Information and Technology, otherwise known as DOIT. This covers the costing for network Maryland services uh through or for fiscal 26, which provides our county core internet services, including standard web access and our telephone and 911 dispatch communication capabilities. So the fee is $112,29 uh for u the period July 25 through Jul June 2026. Um so I move authorize the county administrator to approve the annual payment of 1127 to the Maryland Department of Information Technology for services for the period of July 2025 through June 2026. Second.

Have a motion in a second. Any discussion? Brian, any thoughts you want to add to this? You've been sitting here waiting, so why not, right? Come on up.

Uh, honestly, there there really is not a choice in this. Um, this is just uh being brought to your attention because of the costing the procurement policy uh being over the 100,000. um having uh you know Todd do the signature really what this covers is um just like at home whether you all have breezeline or talkie or whoever Maryland do it which is the department of information and technology is our ISP so this is paying for the circuit it's paying for our annual service and it's also paying for all the fiber that uh we run all that on um And unlike some of the other vendors, they actually charge us after the fact. So, we're paying for what we've already used. That's why from 25 to 26. So, if we were to say, um, no, we're not going to pay this, um, we would very quickly be using pens and papers and, um, no longer using emails because we just wouldn't have the, uh, uh, the data connection that that we need. So again, it's all it's just time to pay the uh annual bill.

Kind of interesting that they back back backdate, right? That's interesting. Yeah. Because a lot of places now, you know, you pay upfront, right? As opposed to uh so that way if you default, they're not losing anything. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. some move. Where is it? All right. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Yep. Thanks for your patience this evening. Yeah. Appreciate that. So, you had to wait all this time for that. I had to make sure that person was getting There you go. We're looking out for him.

All right. Uh, action item number two, page five, budget amendment CC10. This is a CDBG critical workforce loan amendment to increase the budget authority for the critical workforce loans for FY26 as well as increasing the number of loans that are made available to first-time home buyers in FY26. This is funded with available fund balance and funds 712 CDBG critical workforce loans and it's for $150,000. And Director Clark's here if you have any questions about the I move to approve budget amendment CC10 the CDBG critical workforce loan. Second. We have a motion to second. Any discussion?

You want to add anything? Question. Okay. Seeing none. All those in favor? I opposed. So moved. Where's it? There is no press on public comment. Commissioners, that's all we had. Seating it. Go right to the round table. Jack, how about you first? Good. All right, Patrick, you first. I may not have anything. So, me neither. Nothing. Oh, I got a lot to say. Okay. I would just say to my opponent, stop lying about me.

Okay. Is that it? There you go. Now, you want to go? Um, sure. So, uh, you you going to do the mortorium or you want me to do it? Do what? The moratorium. Bring up the moratorium. Do it. Okay.

Um, yes. So, Todd, for the next meeting, if we can, I'd like to get a resolution to put a moratorum in effect for a data center study. Uh, most counties in the state have gone down that rabbit hole. You just heard Bruce talk about the legislation that came out of the state. So, I want to get in line because we have a lot of transmission lines and I don't want us to be the landing spot in between until we have a good look at I've talked to Amy and Stephanie over at planning and zoning. So, if we could have that uh drawn up and ready to get out uh next meeting, that'd be awesome. Okay, that's all I got. We'll get it prepared. Thank you. Great one.

Yeah. So, um I just want to touch on there's a like I say it's a rumor, but misinformation going around about the commissioner compensation structure and health insurance. Um, at first just as a matter of law, like it or not, uh, the commissioners are responsible for setting commissioner compensation. I wish it wasn't that way. I think it's what we all think is probably the least likable thing about the job, but we set commissioners compensation. We have to do it for the boards and commissions as well. Got to do it for the board of education. That's just one of our um responsibilities. Um and so in order and it's important because these jobs are not easy, but they're also really important. We have within another few years literally will be a quarter billion dollar a year budget for this county. Right? We're We're not the oyster shell road, no parks, no ambulances county that we were when I moved here. It has changed. We have miles and miles more of road that we have to handle. We run an airport, run 911, lit literal life and death uh things that have to be done. And a few years back, the board of education had a problem. They lost like $5 million one year, right? That was like 5% of their budget. Imagine if the commissioner screwed up 5%. Right? That would be over $12 million, right? Just a 1% screw up on the commissioners is $2 million. It's important to have people who are qualified in these positions. And I get when people say public service, it would be really awesome if everybody wanted to just go and do public service. Folks, it does not happen. We can't even fill a PTA slot at the high school, right? People don't volunteer like they used

to,

right? It it's so say what you will about the fairy tale world that you want to live in where it's great that everybody volunteers. It does not happen. We have boards and commissions that we can't fill because people don't volunteer, right? The county commissioner job is no different. And but the stakes are a lot higher. What have we not done? We have not created compensation for the commissioners. That's like what you're going to see across the bridge where if you go to some counties and there are six figure salaries and they each have like two assistants. We don't do that. We do most of our own work. But just in comparables, right? So the county commissioners in Queens County, $25,000. It's a 247 job. It's not a part-time job, but even if it was just 40 hours a week, that would be 20% less than minimum wage, right? Um, if you look at other commissioner forms of government, Calvert Charles, St. Mary's, Carol County, you got a range of between 45 to 52,000, right? Double what we have. Two of our neighboring counties just increased by anywhere from 50 to 100%. We we trying to keep it low, but one thing that was done last was maybe there's we could use the vesting period for the health insurance as a perk. It is a lot less of a fiscal note to the county than increasing the salary. The other benefit is you have to get hired, do the job, and get hired and do the job again, right? But what we did today is we we had some and also when that was done, it was done at a public meeting. It was a public vote. So people who tells you that there's some backdoor stuff. First of all, any vote that's done in behind closed doors in secret is not legally enforcable. So when somebody tells you that there was some behindthe-scenes vote that was done to made new law, just slap them in the back of the head because they're stupid and

they need to have their system worked up, right? It does not happen. Um, so it was a public vote that was done. The last board of commissioners, which was four of us, just, you know, be fair. We have now did get some recent public input on that and people suggested well maybe a maybe a three-term vesting makes a little bit more sense. It's a little more more consistent with um with what some other jurisdictions did. So we've we changed that earlier today. It's now a three-term vote. But for those who say you're sort of giving yourself something, Phil, who's not here, Phil doesn't even have health insurance in the county. So he's certainly to give himself. Jim's got years of military service on top of his county service. So he's already qualified. I mean, Jack after next term would have qualified under the old policy. So, no one no one is like giving themselves something eight years and then like, you know, hitting the showers and and saying call it a day. Uh, so,

and it doesn't cost the county a dime until we actually are in office.

It's it's Yes, it's it's not I mean, if you don't think we should have it, just put everybody back to work. I guess that's one way to say it. Um, so the there's a lot of thought that goes into when you're doing it. No, it's we wish we didn't have to make that vote. Other elected officials are lucky because we have to do their salaries. We have to set things like the sheriff and the state's attorney is set by uh by the uh house of delegates. Um unfortunately, that's that's one of the obligations that we have and we tried to do something that was fiscally responsible and actually is a lot less than what other commissioner forms of government are doing in the county. And and to add to that, just to make sure everybody understands, we can never vote ourselves a raise anyway. Correct.

When you do the vote, it's always it never goes into effect until the next term. You can't give yourself anything. It just the law doesn't allow it. State law doesn't allow.

State law doesn't and just as you you can't increase during term, you also can't take away during a term. That's just that's in the constitution. So, uh that's one of the things of the form of government that we have. That's some of the obligations. And unfortunately, when we see the most u input from the public on not liking something, it's because there's a lack of knowledge on what the law says and what can and can't be done. So, I just want to sort of let people know that that's the law. Um, and you can also reach out to us with any issues you have. Um, I hear about just to sort of tangentially about sort of public input, lots of complaints about overdevelopment and we had a hearing a few weeks ago about the most comprehensive change to the phasing of development in this county. Um, and I put it out to social media. I know other people put it out on social media and say reach out to the commissioners and tell us what you think. And zero people, zero people have reached out to us about this. It is it is like exactly what you say you claim you want. If you want less development, you should write in and give us your thoughts on it. It's it is literally the the most restrictive that it has ever been because of the limitations that we have in sewer capacity. If that's something you're in favor of, reach out to the commissioners, let us know. Um that's my soapbox uh moment. I just, you know, the information is out there. Everything is public. Um, oh, if you feel like you don't know what's in our budget, next week we have three uh budget hearings. Um, it turns out it's a surprise um for some people. We do that every single year that I've been a commissioner and well before we were commissioner. I used to attend them before I was a commissioner. Um, if you have any details about what's in the budget, we have a whole web page, the budget, the line items this year, last year, the year before that, probably going back more than a decade. So, there's lots of

information out there on the website. Um, just type in Queens County budget and you'll get it. The information's out there. Uh, if you choose to read it or not, that's on you. Here we go. Here we go. I had all that built up from, you know, not being here. That was that was like 10 rounds. How do I get out that information? I was going to get Bruce have a stand in front of you with the mic and you for you to sit and tell him to sit down and be quiet.

Very good. Very good. Well, I don't I don't have much to say except for uh Bruce Beth and I did an outstanding podcast and uh I'm hoping we're going to be able to watch it come Monday afternoon. So, we'll see. And for those who know, Bruce and Beth have put together a series of podcasts with it's going to have the commissioners on it. It's going to have other community leaders. It's going to have different directors from the county explaining the different things that the county has done and what's in the future is another way of getting more information out there. And kudos to to uh to Beth and Bruce for what they're putting together because they're they're they're trying to sort of meet with the new trends in how media is getting out there and more ways to get information out. And I thought your interview was great. a lot of information um and background about the county that I didn't even know from before my time as a commissioner.

Actually, I had a blast. They they were great to work with. Yes. And we all got a cub a cup, too. We are part of the club now. Well, that's it. Anybody else got anything else? That's it. All righty. motion. Tom, actually would one of you explain for our viewers the more the the moratorum and the capacity that is left meaning the 50,000 and with the rewrite we get another 100,000 with 300,000

with go ahead explain it. So the the sewer capacity for Queens County, not for the incorporated towns, they have their own wastewater treatment plant. Queens County has one wastewater treatment plant. It's on Kent Island. It's right next to where the tourists like to go swimming right at Terapin Beach. If you live here, go to Madape. Let the tourists use Terapin at the outfall. And that's where the outfall is for our sewer. Don't don't put your kids in there. I'm just kidding. It's It's perfectly fine to go swimming. Yeah, you can drink it. I I wouldn't, but you could. Um, so that that treats the sewer from Ken Island all the way up to 5301 split basically, right? Except Queenstown has its own to Graysonville. Graysonville.

So it's Graysonville, right? U it's Prospect Bay used to have its own wastewater treatment plant. That didn't work out so well. They had to be brought into um the county system. So anyway, um a while back the EPA came up with limits on your discharge of what you could discharge in out of your outfall. and Queen Ants County is getting close to that capacity. In other jurisdictions, there's other things you can do. You can do deep well injections and such. We can't we don't have geologically where we are. Those options don't exist. So anyway, because we're so efficient with our wastewater treatment plant, we had a rerating. That's where we got the extra 300 uh MGVs, but we started with three million, right?

It was rated for three million gallons per day. And I think we're right now using 2 million probably 2,900,000 or 750 somewhere in there. And the rerating got us another 300,000. So we probably got closer to 400,000 gallons that we can use, but some of it's already been allotted to Marling Farms commercial projects and then some for residential. So, and when it's gone, there's no more unless there's some new technology break. I think our existing unallocated is 150,000 gallons a day right now. Exactly. So, we had we had 50. This is it's in writing. It's according to Stephen,

right? 150 is where we sit today. This is non non-commercial. I'm talking residential.

We had 50,000 which was about 200 homes. We got the rewrite. We got another 100,000 and then another 100,000 or so for commercial. But I'm talking just residential. So you're right, we have about 150,000 which amounts to about 600 homes for the foreseeable future. So essentially we have 30 to 40 homes per year on all of Kent Island, all of Graysonville, essentially to new development homes, not not in full. So just so people understand if you're in Carolina states there's already allocations in place for those lots that are to be developed but yes new

and Marlin Farms is getting 125,000 gallons per day. So that's it 30 to 40 houses according to the moratorum with Stephen that you get that that anybody can get per year which means a big developer is not going to come in and say I'll take those 40 houses per month per year. That's not the way it's going to work. So, first off, we haven't decided how it's going to work. So, the committee hasn't completed their report and we haven't reviewed it and we haven't made any decisions on it. But that's a propos a proposal. One developer is not going to get all 40 houses.

Well, it's part of it is you got to remember so what who whatever five people sit up here, this is the importance. Whatever five people up sit up here are going to decide that. And there's two ways you can go. You can give one developer all 600 or you can be responsible and spread it out over 15 years so that everybody gets it or technology could change. There's a lot that can go into it, but the buck stops with the five people up here. And that's why it was so important to do this moratorum. Look at all the make a factbased decision because for years, nothing against those who have come before us and everything else, but if you look at, you know, some of the communities that were platted on Ken Island, they would never even happen today. I mean, you know, can estates, clover fields, none of those could even happen in today's world. So, um, what we're doing now is to to Chris's point, this is going to be the most consequential decision made for development in Queen Ans County in the history of Queen Ans County. I mean, because this could be the finite end of the development on Ken Island. That's how important this is and how you allocate it.

But remember what that means for for those who say point earlier.

So, Greg, I don't I don't want any more development. So you have we have a high demand for housing and your supply is going to get smaller and smaller. So that means people with money are going to come in and they're going to bid up the values of the existing housing and you're going to see rancher homes that are on Ken Island are going to get bought. They're going to get knocked out and they're going to put up a McMansion. Um and then if you've lived here for 30 40 years your property value is going to go up because all the other houses are being bid on and that means your property taxes are going to go up because the state's going to assess you as much. There's there's the market forces have have uh cause and effect. Um so just if you're super excited about it, just remember it's gonna be difficult if you I got a daughter going off to college and when she comes back, they're probably not going to be houses they they can afford at that age.

Well, in our in our leazison meeting earlier with the board of ed, it was it was Jim brought the point up and it was a great point is you know, you got to have growth. When you're growing the board's budget by $12 million a year, where does that come from every year if you're not adding new taxpayers? There's only one other way. You got to tax the existing taxpayers. So, so those that don't want to see their taxes raised, if you have no growth, your taxes are eventually going to get raised. It's just the way it works because right, again, mandated costs coming to us and we don't know how many more state costs are going to get shifted over the next couple sessions because we know they're going to be in dire straits. Where does that come from? It's got to come from somewhere because it's But you got some fairy dust you could sprinkle around, right? We haven't found that yet. Hadn't found it.

But yeah, so it's it's important, but it's, you know, you can do it. There's going to be growth in the in the towns. Yep. We already know that. So it can balance itself out, but it's it is it's a big decision, but that's their decision, the towns, not ours in the towns. Well, we control the water and sewer in the town still. But you're right. they have to decide that they want to annex properties and they want to take on that responsibility and you know so yeah you're right it's but that's the egg in the chicken because then you talk about your schools and everything else right that's where we get into a whole another conversation exactly yeah so there's every decision you make has like two or three four consequences to it lot of tentacles out there and there's a lot of tentacles that's why I was saying earlier about

why the decisions that get made from commissioners it's a lot more complicated than you realize there's a lot of laws that we have no control over And then there's the the laws of economics and physics that yeah, they don't care what we think. Very true. Very good. That depressing news. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. There we go.