The last two major issues the two entities have had to address — money and land use — has resulted in a divisive debate and divided opinions.

"It's imperative to have a good relationship with the county," said Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger on the recent show of city-county relations. "That's what you owe the people who voted to elect you.

"But, you can't allow them to dictate to you what you should do. You do have to stick up for when you think something's not fair to the city. You just have to do it in a straightforward, respectful manner."

The tax equity debate, which began in March, kicked off the recent rift between city and county officials when the county, having to absorb state budget cuts, decided to withhold a percentage of the tax equity funds it annually reimburses to the city, throwing the city's budget into a tailspin. When city and county services overlap, the county makes a tax equity payment to the city for services the county doesn't have to provide.

Aldermen suggested that residents "go to the county and scream" about the issue. Holtzinger (R) relentlessly lobbied commissioners on the issue until the day before the city's budget had to be balanced, condemning their final decision as "unfair" and "unjust" to city residents.

As the dust settled from the tax equity debate, the issue of the city annexing more than 500 acres rose from the ashes with even more of a vengeance, as county commissioners have come out united against the annexations due to infrastructure concerns and the burden they say the annexations stand to put on county services. The commissioners are backing measures to overturn the city's decision.

But city officials, who emphasize that the annexations were long part of the city and county's land-use plans, stand united that the county is exerting their authority, and show no signs of backing down. Frederick's destiny as a municipality, they say, should be in their hands.

"The commissioners seem to be getting into municipal matters more than they should, and the backlash may be coming," said Alderman Alan Imhoff (R), who also serves as the president of the Maryland Municipal League's Frederick County Chapter. He said he doesn't anticipate the relationship to improve in the next year. "You can only push people so far before they start to stand up for what they believe their rights are under their charters."

Alderman Marcia Hall (D) said she believes many of the issues the city and county are at odds about could be eliminated if the county had its own charter. "They have limited authority in some respects, and governing by committee — it's not always clear and there's less consistency," Hall said.

Leaders on both ends maintain that these issues — particularly the ongoing annexation debate — and the baggage they have carried this year, do not define the city and county relationship.

The two have worked together on major infrastructure projects, including funding for Monocacy Boulevard completion, and the Potomac River Water Supply agreement, which will expand the city's water supply and support growth. The county also has worked with the city to fund improvements to the Frederick Municipal Airport, and the county's first business incubator — Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. — was also a result of the city and county's partnership. The county also provides services such as fire services, schools and disposes the city's trash.

But, city and county officials all agree that both entities have to do better in realizing what the city and county's relationship is all about.

"It's not about sovereignty, it's not about control, and it's about working together," said Commissioners President Jan H. Gardner (D). "The city and county both provide services, and if we don't work together, we fail our constituency."

Gardner said the recent annexation debate has given fuel to the inflammatory accusations that the county is overstepping its bounds in city issues. "This whole annexation issue has unfortunately focused on control and it really shouldn't be about that," Gardner said. "None of us lives on an island — we have to work together. I have been very disappointed, actually saddened, by some of the rhetoric and misinformation out there. "We have a long history of working together with the City of Frederick and hopefully we'll move on from these annexations, be good leaders, and provide the services that residents depend on us for."

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.