gaithersblog.net

• Chris Robinson writes, Pricey perks on the chopping block

  As Gaithersburg debates a new travel policy, a Gazette review of submitted travel expenses over the last five years has found that city taxpayers have paid a number of costs that could be deemed extravagant, including one $95 meal for which for Assistant City Manager Fred Felton left a $70 tip in 2005.

  I have to say that I continue to have difficulty working up any ire over this issue. While I don’t think that anyone thinks there shouldn’t be an explicit policy on travel and reimbursement, I also don’t belive that the Mayor and Council have been compensated out of proportion to the value of time and effort they, as a group, contribute to the City.

• Steve Berberich writes, MedImmune to stay in Gaithersburg

  After the deal closes in June, AstraZeneca will provide MedImmune employees a ‘‘one-time retention grant,” stipulating salary and other compensation, said Emily Denney, an AstraZeneca spokeswoman.

  MedImmune will keep its name and remain headquartered in Gaithersburg, Denney said. The company’s recent commitment to build manufacturing plants in Frederick was a key provision of the deal with AstraZeneca.

  Another key provision is to ‘‘retain MedImmune employees and its culture,” said Denney, who did not elaborate.

• Chris Robinson writes, Asbury Methodist looks expand its Gaithersburg campus

  The Planning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary site plan April 18 allowing a low-density development of courtyard-style duplexes on Asbury’s north end near Odendhal Avenue between Lost Knife and Goshen roads.

  A final site plan is expected to be submitted in June or July and then heard by city officials, said L. Andrew Morgan, Asbury director of sales and marketing.

• Janel Davis writes, Community Ministry celebrates 10 years of giving

  Camilla O. McRory and Thomas M. Sherman say the countless hours they put in with Community Ministry of Montgomery County do not make them heroes, simply everyday citizens helping people who have fallen on hard times.

  Community Ministry begs to differ, and on Friday morning the nonprofit will honor McRory and Sherman at its 10th annual corporate breakfast. McRory will receive the agency’s Humanitarian of the Year award, and Sherman will be named Volunteer of the Year.

  Through the work of the staff and volunteers, Community Ministry operates programs such Sophia House, an emergency women’s shelter services in Silver Spring; clothing centers in Rockville and Gaithersburg; and a ‘‘Friends in Action” mentoring program. The programs earned the organization a four-star, or exceptional, rating for the third consecutive year from Charity Navigator, a national independent charity evaluation group in New Jersey.

  I will put in a small plug here for the Community Ministry; for the past few years most of my clothing donations have gone to the Interfaith Clothing Center (part of the Community Ministry) in Gaithersburg. Their address is 620 East Diamond Ave; it’s in the small industrial/commercial campus on the northeast corner of E Diamond & Girard. They accept donations Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Sebastian Montes writes, City seeks clarity on law banning curbside hires

  As day laborers continue to gather in parking lots along Route 355 despite last week’s opening of an employment center in Derwood, Gaithersburg leaders are asking the Maryland Attorney General whether the city’s anti-solicitation ordinance will stand up in court.

• Chris Robinson writes, Gaithersburg bank robbed a second time

  This is the second time in two months the bank, located at 22 N. Summit Ave., has reported a robbery.

  The man arrived at about 1:02 p.m. and passed a note to a bank teller that implied he had a weapon and demanded cash, said county police spokesman Officer Kyle Cochran.

• Chris Robinson writes, Father arrested after he alludes to school shooting

  Larry D. Moore Sr., 40, was arrested April 18 at his home in the 400 block of Carousel Court in Gaithersburg on charges of threatening phone calls and disruption of a school day, police said.

  He is being held at Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville in lieu of $50,000 bond, as of Tuesday morning.

• Chris Robinson writes, Gaithersburg picks King to lead police

  Viverette said she has known King since they were both rookies, and is confident he can lead Gaithersburg police to the next level.

  ‘‘I’m excited it’s somebody that knows our department and certainly has a lot of connections on the county, which are sometimes necessary for us to get things done,” she said. ‘‘I’m happy for John and I’m happy for the department.”

  In related news, Montgomery County Chief Manger has announced that he has recommended 3rd District Commander Capt. Betsy Davis to replace Assistant Chief King.

From the City’s website. The property tax “increase” is not particularly surprising. The tax rate is not changing — it hasn’t changed in decades — but the projected revenue is going up as a result of increased assessments. This is really just SOP for the City.

Notice - Proposed Real Property Tax Increase Hearing, 5/14/2007

Posted 4/24/2007

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Telephone: 301-258-6330

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg proposes to increase real property taxes.

1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2007, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 11.9%, from $7,024,512,135 to $7,857,471,366.

2. If the City of Gaithersburg maintains the current tax rate of $0.212 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 11.9%, resulting in $1,765,874 of new real property tax revenues.

3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.190, the constant yield tax rate.

4. The City is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The City proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.212 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 11.6% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $1,765,874 in additional property tax revenues.

A public hearing on the proposed real property tax increase will be held at 7:30 p.m., May 14, 2007, at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877. The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 301-258-6310 for further information.

Also from the City’s website, to be heard on the same night:

Notice - Budget Public Hearing, 5/14/2007

Posted 4/24/2007

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to Section 41 of the Charter of the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will hold a public hearing on:

MONDAY

May 14, 2007
7:30 P.M.

or as soon thereafter as it can be heard in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland, for the purpose of receiving written and oral comments from the public concerning the proposed annual budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.

All interested persons, citizen groups, and organizations are encouraged to attend the hearing and submit comments.

Under the proposed budget, the property tax rate for the City of Gaithersburg remains at $.212 per $100 of assessed value.  Additionally, the ad valorem tax on tangible personal property subject to taxation by the City shall remain at the rate of $0.53 per $100 of assessed value.  Generally, the proposed budget is summarized as follows:

REVENUE
Local Taxes                                       $19,157,000

Licenses and Permits                              2,084,640
Intergovernmental Revenue                   13,688,098                 
Service Charges                                      4,149,470                             
Fines and Forfeitures                                  373,500

Miscellaneous Revenues                          7,425,635

Anticipated Revenue                            $46,878,343
Reappropriation                                       3,524,398
TOTAL                                               $50,402,741

EXPENDITURES
General Government                               $8,970,243
Public Safety                                             9,834,766
Public Works                                            7,290,972

Parks, Recreation & Culture                      8,540,468
Community Services and Development       2,052,049
Miscellaneous                                            2,130,039

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES             $38,818,537

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
TOTAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS                 $11,584,204
TOTAL PROPOSED EXPENDITURES                $50,402,741

Copies of the proposed budget will be available May 7, 2007, at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland, during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

David B. Humpton
City Manager