St. Mary’s Moves Forward on Aging Services, Child Care Facility

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) convened for their latest business meeting, which began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of the consent agenda.

The CSMC honored local youth sports achievements, issuing proclamations to the Pax River Raiders’ 7U, 8U, 10U, and 11U football teams, all of which won championships in the Southern Maryland Youth Athletic Conference for 2023. Commissioner Eric Colvin praised the players, coaches, and families in a Facebook post, acknowledging the hard work that contributed to their success in the regional league.

Following the awards, the Commissioners welcomed Carl Anderton, Maryland’s Director of Rural Economic Strategy, who provided an update on the state’s rural economic initiatives. Anderton outlined upcoming strategies, underscoring his department’s commitment to supporting rural counties, including St. Mary’s.

County Administrator Time: Approvals and Key Decisions

During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners undertook a series of actions and approvals, spanning grant funding, facility repairs, and proposals for future developments. Key items included:

1. Review of Future Agendas: The Commissioners examined schedules for upcoming CSMC meetings to finalize agendas.
2. Grant Approval: The board approved a Fiscal Year 2025 State Grants Notification of Award for the Department of Aging and Human Services, which will provide $174,703 to fund initiatives such as guardianship programs, Maryland Access Point (MAP), the Veterans Engagement Project Initiative (VEPI), the State Ombudsman program, and State Nutrition programs. The funding will support senior care and accessibility resources for residents.
3. Navy Land Transfer Proposal: The Commissioners moved forward with a proposed land swap between the county and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. In this arrangement, St. Mary’s County would transfer approximately 26.2 acres of property at the intersection of Route 235 and Forrest Park Road to the Navy, receiving a 10.6-acre parcel behind the Naval Air Museum in exchange. The new land would accommodate additional parking for the museum, which is growing in popularity. Commissioner Colvin expressed reservations, noting the unequal value in land size and expressing concern about the Navy’s decision to charge St. Mary’s County for leasing Lancaster Park. Despite these concerns, the swap received the board’s preliminary support.
4. Health Department HVAC Repairs: The Commissioners approved a budget amendment transferring $150,000 from the Capital Reserve to fund repairs on the HVAC system at the Health Department. This project will address critical mold remediation needs and enhance air quality for both staff and visitors.
5. Child Care Facility Renovation Approval: The Commissioners discussed plans for a new child care facility, evaluating options for a modular unit or a complete renovation of the Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy building. The board opted for the renovation plan, which is projected to cost $1 million more than the modular alternative and will require a longer completion time. Commissioner Colvin, who voted against the renovation plan, emphasized his concerns about the project’s funding sources, advocating for a more comprehensive facilities assessment to ensure efficient use of county resources. “While I support the child care facility concept, I feel we should ensure we know where funds are coming from for this specific plan,” Colvin stated in his post.
6. Lobbyist Engagement: The Commissioners approved the engagement of Bruce Bereano as the county’s lobbyist for 2025-2026 at a yearly fee of $15,000, plus $500 for expenses. Commissioner Colvin praised Bereano’s contributions, highlighting the value of his representation for St. Mary’s County in state legislative matters.

Public Forum and Upcoming Sessions

After closing out business discussions, the Commissioners reconvened at 6:30 p.m. for a public forum, opening the floor for community members to share concerns and feedback on county issues.

The CSMC announced that their next regular business meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 9 a.m. at the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. The agenda for that day includes a budget work session set to begin at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend these meetings in person or view them live on Channel 95 or on-demand via YouTube. Meeting agendas, minutes, and related documents are accessible online through the St. Mary’s County Government’s BoardDocs platform.

For additional information on the Commissioners’ actions and updates on local services, residents can visit the St. Mary’s County Government website at www.stmaryscountymd.gov.