Politics & Government

LIVE: Town Audit, New Police Vehicle

The Bel Air Board of Commissioners discuss town business at their regularly scheduled business meeting.

The will hold its on Tuesday this week because of Monday's holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On the agenda are approval of a new police vehicle to replace one that is worn out and the recognition of stellar .

Also on the agenda is a resolution to endorse a sustainable Maryland certification program that fits with the town's drive to "go green."

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The meeting will take begin at 7:30 p.m. in at 39 N. Hickory Ave.

8:12 p.m.: The town meeting is adjourned.

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

8:11 p.m.: Hopkins said firefighters have responded to a number of calls for ashes improperly disposed of outside and improper extinguishing of smoking materials.

8:10 p.m.: The commissioners approved the resolution unanimously.

8:08 p.m.: A resolution indicating the county’s annual growth report was introduced to the town. All public serves in the town of Bel Air are operating at less than 115 percent, Small said. All public schools will be under the restriction threshold for the next five years based on the town’s and county’s evaluation.

8:06 p.m.: At the core of the program is a partnership. Sustainable Maryland Certified will dovetail with already approved resolutions, Town Planner Kevin Small said. The resolution was introduced with unanimous vote.

8:05 p.m.: A resolution to apply for the Maryland Certified Municipal Growth Program is under discussion. The program provides tools for municipalities “Going Green.”

8:04 p.m.: The contract was approved unanimously.

8:02 p.m.: Randy Robertson recommended a contract for more than $59,000 be awarded to TRB specialties Maryland. The funding for the project will come from the inflow infiltration line item. The contract will include video evaluation of the Homestead sewer system. The town will piggy back on the county’s contract.

8:02 p.m.: The board voted unanimously in favor of awarding the bid.

7:59 p.m.: Chief Leo Matrangola said a low bid was received from Apple Ford for a 2013 Ford Explorer for about $26,300. The police department’s budget provides 48,000 for purchase of two replacement vehicles. The first was purchased for about $20,000 earlier in the year. The new vehicle will replace a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has more than 200,000 miles on it.

7:58 p.m.: The audit should ultimately be put on the website. The board voted unanimously in approving the audit.

7:56 p.m.: Commissioner Susan Burdette said she read the audit from cover to cover and said there was a substantial amount of grant money and the town did a great job.

7:55 p.m.: Carey said this is one in a long line of good audits the town has had. He also pointed out the property taxes are up to 67 percent of revenues. He added the town hasn’t raised income taxes in years.

7:55 p.m.: “We have a low debt in the general fund and we have twice the amount of cash to pay the debts that are out there,” Schlehr said the auditor told him those things are signs of good financial standing.

7:52 p.m.: If you add three lines in cash the town can access it totals more than $4 million. In liabilities there is about $2.7 million. “We have twice as much cash to pay the debt off today as we need,” Schlehr said.

7:51 p.m.: The pension plan showed a change of about $1.6 million. “The two pension plans are strong,” Schlehr said.

7:50 p.m.: Parking made a $9,390 profit, Schlehr said. The sewer fund made a profit of about $290,000.

7:49 p.m.: “Every year we’re right on the cusp,” Schlehr said of enterprise funds.

7:47 p.m.: The town spent more than budgeted. The saved in planning operating expenses and salaries. The parking and sewer funds, enterprise funds, both showed gains. Last year both of the enterprise funds showed a loss, this year the self-sustaining funds showed a gain.

7:46 p.m.: The town took in about $298,000 more than expected, Schlehr said. The town spent $103,014. “We took in more than we budgeted,” Schlehr said. Most of the additional revenue came from income taxes and fines, such as redlight camera fines.

7:44 p.m.: The fourth part of the audit has to do with fund financial statements. The fifth part of the audit includes footnotes to the financial statements written by town director of finance Lisa Moody.

7:42 p.m.: Financial statements show the financial picture of the town from a business perspective, Schlehr said. The statement of net assets is stated in that part.  “That’s if we were evaluated as a business, you can see we made a profit,” Schlehr said.

7:39 p.m.: The first part is the report of the independent public accountants. “You could say that the bottom line of the audit can be found on page 21,” Schlehr said. The unassigned fund balance contained more than $2 million. “In a way that’s the bottom line of the audit,” Schlehr said.

7:37 p.m.: The fiscal year 2011 was once again a good one, Town administrator Chris Schlehr. He said there were no internal control issues and surplus funds.

7:37 p.m.: The audit for the town is being reviewed.

7:34p.m.: “The torch really gets carried by people like you,” Hopkins said. Last year she was presented the student’s volunteer service award by President Barrack Obama.

7:33 p.m.: “We are recognizing for the second time in four years that we are recognizing Christina McIntyre,” Hopkins said. He said it isn’t often that a student is honored more than once. Christina is a senior at Bel Air High School.

7:33 p.m. “Adam’s a great employee, thank you Adam,” Randy Richardson, director of public works said.

7:31 p.m.: Bedsaul also leads one of the two 24-hour snow removal crews in times of need. He also helps decorate the town every year. He is one of the reasons for the success of his department, Carey said.

7:30 p.m.: Commissioner Dave Carey recognizes Adam Bedsaul for his dedication to the construction section of the town public works department.

7:29 p.m.: Mayor Hopkins calls the meeting to order.

7:28 p.m.: All the commissioners have taken their seats at the dais.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here