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Mayor answers questions from citizen.

Posted on: January 14, 2019 - 8:13pm
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MR. JONES, in your letter to the Kent County News, you wrote: “We continue to explore ways to address budgetary concerns.”

QUESTION: What “ways” have you explored?

ANSWER: To address the recommendation of the bank, I’ve met with the administration to take the following steps:

1. Explore options to reduce spending

2. Cut any unnecessary expenditures

3. Reached out to MML (Maryland Municipal League) for additional resources.

MR. JONES, in your letter to the Kent County News, you wrote: “While an ‘easy fix’ would be to raise taxes on our citizens, a majority of Council members are committed to first pursuing and exhausting every other possible option.”

QUESTION: Because this is the first we’ve heard of this, what options are you “pursuing”? What options are you “exhausting”?

ANSWER: 

1. Explore options to reduce spending

2. Cut any unnecessary expenditures

3. Reach out to MML (Maryland Municipal League) for additional resources.

MR. JONES, in your recent letter to the Kent County News, you stated: “Rock Hall currently faces the same challenges of municipalities throughout Maryland.”

QUESTION: Can you identify another town on the Eastern Shore with its credit frozen and which is facing having its loans called? Any other town in Maryland?

ANSWER: Please finish the sentence, this is what I actually said: “Rock Hall currently faces the same challenges of municipalities throughout Maryland and nationwide as state and federal resources have become more and more scarce and competitive. To be specific, both highway user funds and grant-in-aid monies — totaling approximately $200,000 a year — are no longer dispersed to local municipalities”. My focus is on the Town of Rock Hall, I would not know the confidential information of other municipalities and the dealings with their banks.

MR. JONES, in your most recent State of the Town address (May 17), you reported that the town’s finances are “challenged.” You also reported that the Town has a lower unrestricted reserve compared to prior years as well as an increasing amount of debt. You also reported that it is time to consider increasing the property tax rates and utility rates for the next fiscal year. Yet, on Facebook, you continue to post that you will fight against raising property taxes and utility rates.

QUESTION: So, which is it? Will you support raising property taxes as needed? Yes or no. Will you support raising utility rates as needed? Yes or no.

ANSWER: I have requested an independent water/sewer rate study to see if utility rates need to be increased, if the study recommends an increase, I would support that. To continue to improve and address aging infrastructure, I would support a lower increase/incremental increase to utility rates at this time. Given the opportunity at budget discussions, I would explore all options before the consideration of a tax increase.

MR. JONES, in September 2015 (four years ago), you and Vice Mayor Kuechler were given a proposal to raise revenue from new sources. This estimate of $66,925 in new revenues included: Permits for Temporary Signs ($17,000); Using the Town Web Site ($3,625); Public Events Reimbursements ($10,300); Property Transfer Fees ($30,000); Campsite Rentals ($3,000); and Advertising Space at Town Ballparks ($3,000).

QUESTION: What steps have you taken to follow up on this proposal for new revenue?

ANSWER: The council had/has an opportunity to explore these ideas.

MR. JONES, in your recent letter to the editor, you state that the reason the Town is in a financial mess is because of the cost of the upgrades to the clarifier and the Catholic Avenue project. However, those were planned expenses.

QUESTION: Why wasn’t any action taken at budget time to account for the increase in debt service?

ANSWER: I never stated the town is in a financial mess. The Utilities Budget was balanced at the beginning of the fiscal year. There have been additional projects such as the implementation of a new utility billing software not presented at budget discussions and unexpected water main breaks which increased expenditures throughout the year. 

MR. JONES, there are continuing complaints about brown water.

QUESTION: Why do I have to pay 30% more for brown water?

ANSWER: Nobody wants an increase, but to address the issues, additional revenue will help the town address the brown water. As stated above, I am not in favor of a 30% increase all at once. The Town is committed to seeking additional grant opportunities and working with outside agencies to address aging infrastructure as well.

MR. JONES, that taken-out-of-service Town police vehicle is still parked in your driveway.

QUESTION: Have you purchased this car from the Town? If not, when does the Town plan to sell it? Actions are louder than words.

ANSWER: No, I have not purchased the car. The town car is used for town business by elected officials and town staff.