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Issue #68

 

November 2014

 

 
Managing Money
and Much More
Department of Finance and Budget Demands High Standards, Transparent Reporting
 
By all accounts, the county's Finance and Budget Department is the center of the Calvert County Government's wheel. And while most people think about dollars and cents at the first mention of the department, there is much more happening in the hallways of Calvert's Finance and Budget office.
  
The Finance and Budget staff of 28 is responsible for safeguarding the county's financial assets and maintaining a standard of excellence in financial reporting and budgeting. They are also responsible for:
  • Ensuring nearly 1,100 employees receive their bi-weekly pay
  • Paying the county's 16,000 bills annually
  • Maintaining oversight of about $300 million of county cash and investments
  • Managing the debt load and investing to ensure the county maintains its top bond rating
  • Managing and administration of five county pension and retirement funds (County Employees Retirement Plan, the Sheriff's Department Pension Plan, County Employees Retirement Savings Plan (401a Plan), Other Post-Employment Trust Fund and the Length of Service Award Program for the volunteer fire and rescue service)
  • Managing the administration of pension and other post-employment benefit payments
  • Managing county employees' and retirees' health benefits, voluntary life insurance, supplemental retirement (Deferred Compensation) and other post-tax insurance plans such as disability/accident/sickness, cancer and supplemental hospital coverage
  • Managing the budget and accounting needs for all county departments
  • Managing the annual audit and preparing annual financial statements
  • Working with all county departments agencies to prepare the more than 300-page Staff Recommended Budget
  • Working with the Board of County Commissioners to develop its more than 400-page budget and making final changes to the Adopted Budget
  • Overseeing risk management services and claims submission through the county's workers' compensation, general liability and automobile  insurance
  • Tax and utility billing (close to 5,000 water and sewer bills quarterly; 42,000 tax bills annually and 6,100 reminder notices)
The Finance and Budget Department includes the Purchasing Office which is the busy hub for all of the county's procurement activities and contract management. On average, the office executes nearly 6,000 purchase orders a year and about 195 formal and informal bid packages a year. The office manages the county's surplus property sales through the Govdeals, web-based store front. Since July, the Purchasing team has generated nearly $32,000 in sales by selling everything from used police cars to the Detention Center's old walk-in freezer, shelving and space heaters. In all, the Purchasing Office manages $414 million worth of county fixed assets annually.
  
Finance and Budget also oversees the cash flow for the county's capital projects such as the Northern High School replacement, a new public safety digital communications system and the ongoing purchase of county fire and rescue apparatus. In addition, the department coordinates county grant funds and oversees the county's switchboard operators.
  
In the near term, the department will work with the new Board of County Commissioners to close a $10 million budget gap projected for Fiscal Year 2016.
  
The department will also soon relocate its offices. Stay tuned for information about the move to 131 Main Street in Prince Frederick by the end of the year.
  
Recycle Used Oyster Shells
at New Drop-Off Locations
  
Calvert County has joined a regional recycling effort aimed at supporting oyster hatcheries and the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Working with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), Calvert County now provides oyster shell recycling carts at the Appeal Landfill and seven convenience centers.

 Residents and businesses can drop off used oyster shells as well as clam and mussel shells that will be recycled for use in oyster hatchery operations. The only requirement is that the shells not be bagged.
  
ORP's Shell Recycling Alliance has recycled 1,200 tons of shells since 2009. The shells provide the best material for baby oysters to attach to as they grow. Maryland hatcheries have developed techniques to raise more oysters, but they need additional shells to keep up with the growing number of hatchery-produced oysters. Each recycled shell can provide homes for 10 new oysters. Known as a keystone species, oysters serve as the kidneys of the bay and one oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day.
  
Maryland offers a $1 per bushel tax credit for shell recycling. While Calvert County cannot issue receipts for shells, the ORP will pick up bulk shells from businesses, certify amounts and issue receipts to be used for tax purposes. To date, ORP picks up from more than 220 restaurants across the state. ORP does not pick up from individual homes.
  
Visit online for the location and hours of operation for the Appeal Landfill and convenience centers or call the Calvert County Division of Solid Waste at 410-326-0210. Business owners interested in ORP pickup may contact Stephan Abel at 410-990-4970 or by email at [email protected].

 

Are You Signed Up for
Calvert County Alert?
  
Winter weather is coming and it is important to stay informed of county facility closings, road conditions and community alerts. Sign up for the Calvert County Alert system and you will be in the know.
  
The system enables public safety authorities to provide critical information quickly for a variety of situations such as severe weather, evacuations, law enforcement notifications, missing persons and water and sewer updates. You will receive these important notifications concerning locations that you can tailor to your needs. The alerts can be sent to your home, mobile and business phone, e-mail addresses, through text messaging and more. You pick where, you pick how. Sign up for Calvert County Alert today.
  
Business Owners: Please Talk to Us

The Department of Economic Development wants to know what Calvert County business owners are thinking. County leaders also want to learn more about your business. Visit online to complete a 10-minute survey and let us know what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. The survey will be open through Jan. 5, but we encourage business owners to weigh in early before the holiday shopping season begins. For additional information, please call 410-535-4583.
  
In This Issue
Managing Money and Much More
Recycle Used Oyster Shells at New Drop-Off Locations
Are You Signed Up for Calvert County Alert?
Business Owners: Talk to Us
Shop Small, Shop Local Nov. 29
Lusby Convenience Center to Close Half Day for Repairs
Two More Shredding Events Set for 2014
Congratulations to New and Expanded Businesses
Quick Links
Shop Small, Shop Local Nov. 29

 

    

Enjoy the unique flair and merchandise offered by Calvert County's small businesses by shopping locally during Small Business Saturday Nov. 29.


Head to local shops on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and celebrate the small businesses and business owners who make our community great. Get started by visiting the Calvert County Business Directory.

 

It is a free, searchable online database of businesses in Calvert County that provides residents and businesses with local options for finding and purchasing the products and services they use on a regular basis.

 

 Lusby Convenience Center to Close Half Day for Repairs

 

  

 
The Lusby Convenience Center will close Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for paving at the site.

 

The center is located at 11725 H.G. Trueman Road, Lusby. Visit online for more information about Calvert County's seven convenience centers and the Appeal Landfill.

 

 Two More Shredding Events Set for 2014
  

The county Division of Solid Waste and Recycling is sponsoring two more paper shred events in 2014. At these free events, residents can destroy old tax returns, bills, files and other old unneeded paper and help prevent identity theft. Paper from businesses will not be accepted.

 

Mark your calendars for Nov. 22 at Huntingtown High School or Dec. 20 at Appeal Landfill. Both events will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.

 

Congratulations to New and Relocated Businesses

 

The Board of County Commissioners welcomes and congratulates the following new, relocated and expanded businesses. Visit them and help support your local economy. 

 

New Businesses
Advanced Flooring & Design, LLC
929 Skinners Turn Road, Suite 201, Owings
443-964-4097

 

Mobile Advocates
10366 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk
443-646-5025

 

 TJ Maxx
80 West Dares Beach Road,
Prince Frederick,
410-535-1485

 

C Barbershop & Salon
108 Armory Road, Prince Frederick
410-474-8000

 

Beverly's Gifts and Flowers
7623 Bayside Road,
Chesapeake Beach
410-257-0709

 

Relocated Business
Blondie's Bakery

132 Main St., Suite 100,
Prince Frederick
443-964-8140


For a full listing of all Calvert County businesses, please visit online.

 

 

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Sincerely,
Pat Nutter, President
Steven R. Weems, Vice President
Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark
Susan Shaw
Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr.
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners