(9/2018) Let’s face it, everyone likes saving money. As County Executive, one of my top priorities is saving taxpayers’ money and making sure that we squeeze a dime out of every nickel!

That’s why I am incredibly proud to share that I have saved Frederick County taxpayers almost $70 million during my administration. We saved money in three key ways. First, by renegotiating some of the bad deals of the past. Second, by ending privatization that was costing taxpayers more and often delivering less. And third, by refinancing county debt to lower interest rates made possible by the county earning three AAA bond ratings for the first time in 2016.

I am proud that my administration has ended taxpayer giveaways to developers and successfully renegotiated some of the bad deals of the past. You should know that we have repealed the law that allowed the county to enter into what are called Developer Rights and Responsibility Agreements (DRRAs). The prior administration entered into 14 of these agreements and they were all bad for Frederick County taxpayers. As long as I am County Executive, we will never enter into a bad deal again.

So what agreements have we re-negotiated and how much have we saved?

The biggest savings come from re-negotiating an agreement with the developer of Oakdale-Lake Linganore to fund ramps onto Interstate 70 between Frederick and New Market at Meadow Road. I am always looking for ways to protect taxpayers and get a better deal. The funding agreement approved by the prior administration would have cost the county $77 million over 30 years. The new agreement, builds the needed interchange improvements but reduces the cost to $29 million over 20 years, saving taxpayers $48 million. Now that’s some real money! These dollars can then be redirected to provide for education, public safety, and other essential services or be returned to taxpayers! That’s good news.

County taxpayers saved money by retaining Citizens and Montevue as county owned facilities, since the prior administration had agreed to sell them for less than the county owed on the mortgage! It was a bad deal. Now, we can all be proud that these facilities are operating in a financially self-sustaining manner, while at the same time providing assisted living for our seniors who could otherwise not afford it simply because they have out-lived their money. We can be proud to have kept our promise to our seniors, honored the deed on the property, and saved $7.5 million.

Saving Citizens and Montevue and renegotiating the I-70 Meadow Road interchange agreement saved taxpayers a combined $55.5 million. On top of that, we saved $13 million with our AAA bond rating from all three New York bond rating agencies which allowed us to refinance county debt to lower interest rates.

The county received its first AAA from one the rating agencies in 2010 when I was President of the County Commissioner. A second rating agency awarded a AAA bond rating in 2014. In June of 2016, for the first time ever, Frederick County earned AAA ratings from all three rating agencies. This put us among an elite group of counties in the nation. Fewer than 50 of over 3,000 counties have three AAA ratings. It is this trifecta that brought the county significantly lower interest rates. It is a big deal and demonstrates that the county is well managed and financially sound.

I look to save taxpayers money wherever I can. Even small savings can add up! By ending privatization that cost taxpayers more and often delivered less, my administration has saved more than $2 million. For instance, by having county workers trim trees instead of using an outside contractor, the county saved $500,000 every year. Our in-house renovation crew can design and build office space for substantially less than a contractor could do the work. The County saved $45 a square foot by renovating county offices for the Division of Citizens Services on Sagner Avenue. That added up to half a million dollars in savings for a single project! We have saved money by ending a private contractor picking up deer carcasses along the side of the road; by fitting out Sheriff deputies’ cruisers with in-house fleet staff; and doing some bridge and culver work in-house. These savings add up to big dollars!

The almost $70 million in savings during my administration means we have been able to hold the line on taxes all four years. We have not raised property tax or income tax rates. We have lived within our means.

As County Executive, I have brought my years of business and management experience and my background in finance to county government. County Government consists of 17 divisions with over 2,100 employees who provide outstanding services and keep our community safe. We are fortunate to have great libraries, parks, and well- maintained roads and bridges.

I am proud to provide taxpayers with strong, conservative fiscal management and to deliver effective and efficient services to the citizens of Frederick County. The county is financially strong and we have delivered outstanding schools, a safe community, and a high quality of life. That’s good government in action! Let’s keep it going!