Issues

Economic Stimulus Program Projects

The Garrett County Democratic Central Committee sent a letter to the Garrett County Commissioners about their plans to use the Economic Stimulus Program funds in Garrett County. The Central Committee asked the Commissioners to review and revise their list of projects to help keep taxes and user rates as low as possible, and to ensure that local citizens get jobs. The letter listed five criteria for the Commissioners to use to revise their list: is the project necessary, will the project help lower taxes, is it “shovel ready”, is it fair to all of Garrett County, and will it create jobs?

The Commissioners replied by letter from County Administrator Lamont Pagenhardt on February 13, stating, “The Board of County Commissioners will not, as requested, revise the project list. The Board and County management would have been glad to discuss and explain each project on the list had you asked.”

However, the Central Committee wrote the original letter because of a lack of public input and public discussion (Board meeting minutes and past agendas are no longer posted), and the Board list does not meet the criteria suggested by the Committee. Of the Board list of 19 projects, 5 of 9 “economic development” projects are the Oakland Bypass, a technology training center, a McHenry Business Park, an exhibit hall, and a coal-to-liquid plant. 2 of 3 “general services” projects are a public works building and a maintenance warehouse, and 3 of 6 “public utilities” projects are for a "western conveyance sewer system" and water projects in Thayerville and McHenry.

The Board's press release in The Republican newspaper regarding their priorities is available at http://www.therepublicannews.com/article.asp?id=3293.