(1/2020) Annual Report & Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

County Executive Jan Gardner presented an Annual Report for 2019 on the accomplishments of Frederick County Government, emphasizing many achievements in the areas of education, jobs, seniors, community needs and growth.

"The annual report outlines a lot of good things happening in Frederick County," said Executive Gardner. "One of the biggest accomplishments of the past year was the adoption of Livable Frederick, a unique and innovative master plan for the future of our county."

The county’s AAA bond rating has resulted in a bond sale with the lowest interest rate in the county’s history. The county’s strong economy drew Kite Pharma and other businesses here, creating many new jobs. There are a record 104,000 jobs in Frederick County, with 6,500 net new jobs created in the past five years. The year also saw record investment in public education, support for a new pay scale for teachers and school administrators, and an accelerated school construction program. An agricultural work group focused on preservation and addressing farmer’s needs. Also of note, the county was named a Dementia-Friendly County, putting a plan in place to help seniors.

Other achievements include the opening of the Myersville Community Library, expansion of Utica Park and progress toward opening Othello Regional Park in 2020. In other areas, the county was awarded one of the largest grants in the nation to hire 38 new firefighters, and Fire & Rescue Services launched a new initiative called Handle with Care to help children facing traumatic experiences. Additionally, a solar array was installed on a closed section of the landfill and now provides energy to county facilities and TransIT buses.

"We couldn’t have achieved so many successes without the dedicated team of employees who work hard every day to serve our citizens," added Executive Gardner.

Executive Gardner also presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The annual report and financial statement will be presented to the County Council at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17, in the first floor hearing room of Winchester Hall.

The CAFR is an extensive document presenting various levels of reporting and disclosures regarding financial statements, and includes an audit from a firm of licensed certified public accountants who provided an independent review of county government. No findings were made in the audit. For a copy of the annual report and CAFR, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/report.

Frederick County Encourages Local Efforts To Recycle Right

The Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) thanks the community for their efforts to not only recycle more but also to recycle right. In 2019, local residents and businesses sent approximately 54 million pounds of mixed materials to Frederick County’s single-stream recycling program. In partnership with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority and Waste Management Recycle America, DSWM recently audited a representative sample of this material and analysis showed the County’s contamination rate to be 10% (Comparatively, the average contamination rate among communities and businesses in the U.S. is approximately 25%).

A "contaminant" is anything placed in a recycling system that does not belong there. Items collected for single-stream recycling in Frederick County are sent to a materials recovery facility (MRF) to be identified, sorted and delivered to industrial partners. As part of this process, contaminants must be removed and disposed. Contaminants cause problems throughout the entire system, as they can harm the workers and machinery at the MRF and can reduce the value of recyclable materials or cause loads to be rejected. The issue of contamination has recently led to major market disruptions that have negatively affected the economics and global success of recycling efforts.

Locally, picking up materials that are not recyclable reduces the efficiency of collection and contributes to higher fuel costs. Sending those materials to the MRF for processing creates further problems and incurs costs. Prior to the materials audit, the County’s contamination rate had been estimated at 19%. By improving their recycling practices this year, local recyclers reduced the County’s expenditure for dealing with contamination, with a projected savings of approximately $149,000 annually.

As the New Year approaches, the DSWM encourages local recyclers to resolve to continue to learn more and "recycle right" in 2020. "Local governments, businesses and residents have little to no control over much of the bigger picture for recycling, such as market dynamics or industrial processes. The most direct thing recyclers can do to help make the program a success in to only place acceptable items in a blue bin," said Rebecca Culler, Frederick County’s Recycling Program Manager.

Frederick County’s single-stream recycling program is able to process clean paper and cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars as well as plastic bottles, jugs, jars and tubs. By not sending any other materials for recycling through the County’s system, residents and businesses can support the continued success of local –and global– recycling efforts.

To learn more or obtain materials in support of better recycling practices, visit the County’s website (www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/RecycleRight). The DSWM is also offering upcoming "How Recycling Really Works" programs that offer insight into recycling processes and explain how local actions are part of a global industry. For more information, including class dates and locations, please visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GoRecycle. While on the County website, local recyclers can also:

• Print flyers and posters that show what is and is not accepted for single-stream recycling.
• Download the free Recycle Coach app for guidance as well as collection day reminders.
• Place an order to receive, exchange or repair a recycling cart for an eligible household.
• Contact County staff to request recycling outreach, support with business recycling goals or general assistance with recycling issues or questions.

Capt. Wade for Certification as Executive Fire Officer

County Executive Jan Gardner today Capt. Jeremy Wade of the Division of Fire & Rescue Services. He recently completed a four-year rigorous program to receive certification as an Executive Fire Officer through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Fire Academy.

"I am pleased to honor Captain Wade for his successful completion of one of the most rigorous and academically challenging courses in the fire and rescue service," said Executive Gardner. "He has joined a diverse group of fire officers from across the country and his efforts to make our community safe will ensure a bright future for all of Frederick County."

The program trains senior officers in executive-level leadership skills, helps them apply valuable research, creates a deeper understanding of how to operate a proactive fire and rescue service, and gives them tools to transform their organizations.

Capt. Wade graduated from Recruit Class 5 and was hired by the county in 2002. He currently serves as Station Commander at the Green Valley Fire Station #25 in Monrovia. He has served on the Policy Review Committee for the division for many years and recently passed the 2019 Battalion Chief exam. Captain Wade is a certified Child Safety Passenger Technician. His past assignments have included Myersville, New Market, and a detail officer at Junior Fire Company in downtown Frederick.

In the history of the Division of Fire & Rescue Services, several other Frederick County firefighters have earned the Executive Fire Officer designation. They include Deputy Chief Steve Leatherman, Battalion Chief Michael Dmuchowski, Captain Christopher Mullendore, and retirees Bureau Chief Rick Himes, Lieutenant Eric Jacobs, Deputy Chief Andy Marsh, Chief Walter Murray and Captain George Thomas.

For additional information, contact DFRS Acting Chief Tom Coe at 301-600-1536 or via e-mail at tcoe@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Kay Appointed as Director of Citizens Services Division

Christine Kay has been appointed as Director of the Division of Citizens Services. "Christine brings outstanding leadership experience in human services," Executive Gardner said. "She has a reputation for strong collaboration across agencies. She brings energy, big ideas, and a wealth of expertise. I am confident she will do an outstanding job for the citizens of Frederick County."

As director of Citizens Services, Ms. Kay will supervise the Child Advocacy Center, Family Partnership, Office for Children and Families, the Scott Key Center, the Human Relations Department, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. She also will oversee staff support to nine boards and commissions; lead the Community Partnership Grants program; and coordinate the County’s shelter and mass care section of its Emergency Operations Plan.

Since 2016, Ms. Kay has served as the Director of the Department of Citizens Services in Carroll County. In that position, she oversaw a staff of 60 employees, including the bureaus of Housing, Aging and Disabilities, and the Local Management Agency. Ms. Kay also co-chaired the Carroll County Continuum of Care for Homelessness, administered over a dozen grants, and served as the granting agent for local nonprofit agencies. Prior to her tenure in Carroll County, Ms. Kay worked in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on human services in the areas of homelessness, individuals with disabilities, workforce development, and emergency shelter management.