Fruitland Final Vote To Raise Taxes, Sewer And Water Fees

This Tueday night is the final meeting where the new fees and tax rate will be voted on, as well as the next fiscal year budget.

Sewer and water fees are slated to go up, and the tax rates are also to be increased.

Many residents have received lower property assessments due to the housing crunch, which would have offered significantly lower tax bills.

But the Fruitland Council has discussed raising the tax rate-- which would mean property owners will not get the full benefit of the decline in assessed value.

By raising the tax rate, the city will take part of that tax reduction. Many tax bills will be lower than they have been, but not as low as they could (and should) be.

Many citizens have asked that budget cuts be made, and that rates be kept the same. Good ideas have been expressed by the citizens at the hearings-- we will see how many of them will be adopted, and whether meaningful cuts will actually be made.

The city's drug policy will receive further 'discussion', though it was supposed to have been in place 3 years ago.

Another agenda item is a lease for the Fruitland Falcon Football program-- an interesting item, since the head of that organization, Kerry Nelson, is also Chairman of the city's Recreation Commission. Though the program is good, there appears to be a significant potential for conflict of interest.

A football field was built in the city park a couple years ago, right beside the fence that separates the park from the adjacent $350,000 homes. The field now has lights, so activities and noise can go on well into the evening.

There was also a new 'Announcer's Booth' discussed at the May meeting:

"Recreation Commission Chairman Kerry Nelson came forward to endorse and present the Fruitland Falcons request to construct a two-story building at Redmen Field that will presently function as a press box and storage facility that could accommodate the addition of restrooms at a later date; he sought Council approval prior to securing architectural and engineering drawings for the project. Like the several other enhancements to the property that have occurred over the last Two (2) years, the Falcons presented their request already having the funds in place for the Fifty Thousand Dollar ($50,000.00) project that will become an asset for the City at no cost to the City."

"On a motion made by Councilor Carey that was seconded by Treasurer Ortiz and approved by a unanimous vote in favor, the Council granted pre-approval to the Fruitland Falcons for a new announcers booth at the Fruitland Recreation Park."

An Announcer's Booth-- adding a PA system to the extra traffic and noise in the area-- is a factor that needs to be considered in the final decision. Certainly the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods need to get involved before the noise and traffic get out of hand. Most will probably have little idea what's coming until it's too late.

Much of the cost of this football field has been covered by sponsoring organizations through the Falcons at no cost to the city, so the lease OK is probably a foregone conclusion. But if the Falcons raised the money to build the facilities, they may have the city over a barrel in the event of future problems.

Here's the rundown for Tuesday night:

FRUITLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010
Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 E. Main Street, Fruitland, Maryland

The Fruitland City Council will meet in Regular Session beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Active public participation in these meetings helps assure alert, responsive city government.

STAFF MEETING
7:00 p.m. City Council and Staff will meet to review the evening’s agenda in the conference room.

REGULAR MEETING
7:30 p.m. Call to Order, Opening Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance
Adoption of Minutes, Reports: Treasurer’s, City Manager’s, Department Heads’

7:40 p.m. Unfinished Business:

1. Approve paid bills - Action Item.

2. Adoption of Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Budget and Fees. Action item.
a. Adopt Water Department Budget and Fees
b. Adopt Sewer Department Budget and Fees
c. Adopt General Operating Budget
(1) Adopt Property Tax Rate
(2) Adopt Personal Property Tax Rate
(3) Adopt Mobile Home Tax Rate
(4) Adopt Sanitation Fee
d. Adopt Water and Sewer Impact Fees
e. Adopt Capital Improvements Budget
f. Adopt Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan

3. Drug Policy - Discussion Item?

4. New Police Building – Update?

5. Tax Differential – Update?

6. Award Asphalt and Concrete needs contracts

7. Energy Contract Extension-Update?

8:15 p.m. New Business:

1. Rowens Mill – Final Plat Approvals – Brock Parker
a. Re-Subdivision of Lots 15-25
b. Re-Subdivision of Lots 37-52

2. Impact Fees – Fruitland Shopping Center (Kool Smiles & Citi Trends) – Tom Marciniec

3. Recreation Commission
a. Agreement of Lease – Fruitland Falcons Football, Inc
b. Nominations for Appointment to the Recreation Commission

4. Easton, Maryland Postal Service Processing and Distribution Facility – Discussion Item
Public Comment/General Discussion
Adjournment

The Fruitland City Council will meet in accordance with the State Open Meetings Act and the public is encouraged to attend. The above Agenda is subject to change without notice and the City Council reserves the right to go into closed session as may be necessary. For further information call 410-548-2809.

The Agenda is available for review on Lobby Bulletin Boards at City Hall, 401 E. Main Street in Fruitland, the Post Office at 201 E. Main Street in Fruitland, and on the City Website at http://www.cityoffruitland.com/