• Economic Relief Package
  

Commissioners are reviewing County Regulations for the second time with an eye towards streamlining the permit process.  Chapter members have not reviewed the proposals but expect legislation to be filed in the coming months.

• Chapter Holiday Party
  

The Chapter’s annual holiday party is set for Thursday, December 15 at Modern Foundations.  For more information, please contact Michael Harrison at 410-265-7400.

Carroll County

• Agriculture Preservation payments held due to pending septic ban in General Assembly

The Commissioners voted 4-1 last week to withhold payments to farmers to buy easements for the ag pres program, citing the proposed septic ban and other anti-private property rights legislation pending in the General Assembly.  The Commissioners decided to wait until after the General Assembly left Annapolis before making payments, but indicated they would likely make the payments later this year.  Chapter members met with Commissioner Rothschild on March 4 to discuss the septic issue and he explained the Commissioners voted to withhold payments as a statement to Annapolis that farmers land may lose value if this legislation moves forward because it would alter the amount of the easements.

• Regulation review

Commissioners are reviewing County Regulations with an eye towards easing burdens on businesses.  A report on which regulations may be amended or rolled back is due at any time and Chapter members will be involved in subsequent legislation.

• Traffic Study "approved" consultant lists

The County maintained list of approved traffic study consultants may be coming to an end soon.  When developers submit a project for review that requires a traffic study, the County bids the review to consultants on an approved list, and depends on one of those firms to analyze the project.  This prevents developers from choosing their own consultants in an open bid, and often times forces developers to pay twice- once for the initial design and again for the review.  The new Commissioners have been notified about this list and they are looking into possible changes.