Hollywood, MD – A late January storm that dumped huge amounts of snow throughout the Mid-Atlantic and a February snowfall that proved to be heavier than first expected, have added to the fiscal challenges facing several Maryland jurisdictions. On Feb. 19, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan requested that President Obama issue a “Presidential Disaster Declaration” for the storm that began Jan. 22. According to press release from the governor’s office, “an approved disaster declaration would bring federal assistance to communities in Maryland through state and local agencies and public safety partners that served them during the storm.”
Any allocation from the federal government would allow local counties to hold onto budget fund balances used for one-time expenditures. According to Calvert County Department of Finance and Budget Director Tim Hayden, Calvert has an annual snow removal budget of approximately $466,000. The January blizzard cost the county approximately $1.35 million.
“At this point in FY [fiscal year] ’16, there is a $5.8 million fund balance,” said Hayden, who added Calvert officials are hoping to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If there is no FEMA money coming “then it comes from fund balance.”
“Obviously, we didn’t anticipate a big snowfall,” said Charles County Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services Director David Eicholtz, who explained the jurisdiction budgets “a minimal amount” annually since the area doesn’t usually receive heavy amounts of winter precipitation. Like Calvert, Charles County Government officials accumulate savings during prior fiscal years for any unanticipated expenditures. “There is sufficient money in the fund balance,” said Eicholtz.
Charles County officials are also hoping to qualify for a reimbursement from FEMA for the costs incurred from the plowing and removal of snow during the January blizzard. Charles’ cost for that storm is roughly estimated at $2 million, Eicholtz told The BayNet.
Tony Jones, a spokesman for St. Mary’s County Government, stated the county’s Department of Public Works reported its snow removal costs “have far exceeded its budget by more than $500,000 so far following the January blizzard.” The Feb. 15 snowfall “just added to the totals. The Department of Finance will bring a budget amendment to the commissioners to reconcile.” Jones said the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and Technology has determined the jurisdiction “did not meet the threshold for FEMA assistance. The department has submitted its expenses to the state and is still awaiting word on if there will be any state assistance coming.”
The governor’s office stated the January blizzard “severely impacted” many areas of the state, which saw “historic snowfall totals, high winds and freezing temperatures.” Hogan implemented a state of emergency during the blizzard, coordinating public safety personnel and snow removal crews through the State Emergency Operations Center at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com