(5/22) During the May 21 Emmitsburg town budget meeting, Commissioners voted to approve the fiscal year 2019 budget. As presented, there will be no tax increase in the FY19 budget; it will remain at 0.36 cents per $100 of assessment.

Overall, the General Fund revenues increased by approximately 5% from last year’s budget, to $1,832,039. Most of this increase can be attributed to a jump in projected tax revenues received. Additionally, the interest that the town is earning on some of its bank accounts has seen a slight increase this year.

On the General Fund’s expense side, two departments in particular saw an increase in FY19: Department 15, Buildings, which increased by about $2,000 and Department 20, Public Safety/Police, which increased by approximately $8,000. Some repair and maintenance projects within Department 15 include: repairs to the 22 E. Main Street office ($2,500); repairs to 140 S. Seton Ave ($2,800); and repairs to Christ Community Church ($4,000). Within Department 20, the Police Department Safety Contract saw an increase by 3.15% from FY18. This was due to an increase in police officer salaries and an increase in fuel for officers’ vehicles. Also, overall salaries for town employees saw an increase by 2.63% in FY19. It was recommended that staff receive their two percent cost of living adjustment, which they did not receive in FY18.

Some capital projects planned for FY19 include: the completion of Emmit Gardens Playground, which will begin construction on July 5; pumping station upgrade; sewer relining on East Main St.; community pool bathhouse rehab, which will include new plumbing, new stalls; an ADA accessible playground, placed hopefully adjacent to the existing playground equipment in community park; and water and sewer repairs. So far grants have been submitted for the community pool bathhouse rehab and the ADA accessible playground.

In regards to the Water/Sewer budget, both the revenue and expenses within the Water budget have increased this year, causing the revenues to be slightly below the expenses. Revenues increased to $558,500 in the FY19 budget, and expenses increased to $589,422. The increase in revenue can be attributed to the anticipation of increased residential and commercial building within the town in the upcoming year. Within the Sewer budget there is a net income of $335,345, which counterbalances the deficit in the Water budget.

At the end of the budget presentation, Commissioner Joe Ritz discussed budgeting funding to bring Emmitsburg Little League back to town next year. He stated that he already has an interested group of individuals who would like to serve on a board to re-establish Little League in Emmitsburg. Mayor Don Briggs discussed Mid Maryland United and recommended Ritz reach out to them to continue discussion. Back in February, Mid Maryland United gave a presentation to the Board and at the time had noted that there was an interest in getting a team back up and running in Emmitsburg. However, the Mid Maryland team is an expensive program, and it is Ritz’s desire to re-establish an affordable team in town, allowing more children to have the opportunity to play baseball and softball closer to home. "Some kids just want to play for fun, and we want to be able to provide that for them," said Ritz. "We need a more economical means for our youth to play baseball."

As it stands however, the funding needed to get a team established is unknown. There is $3,600 budgeted in the special events fund right now and there is close to $10,000 already in the ball fields line item. Since there is an unknown dollar amount at the moment, Willets recommended that a budget be made in the future, once fund amounts are established.

An additional budget modification was made in the special events fund. Ritz asked the board to consider adding $800 to go toward the summer concert series, bringing the total up to $2,000 for that line item. Commissioner President Tim O’Donnell proposed taking $500 from the trail maintenance and promotion line item and Willets proposed taking $300 from Department 15, Upcounty. The Board agreed unanimously and the budget was passed with the preceding modifications.