LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) convened their latest business meeting with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before approving the consent agenda. Highlights from the meeting included a proclamation honoring hurricane relief efforts, various grant approvals, and discussions on significant budget allocations.
The CSMC presented a proclamation to the Southern Maryland Hurricane Relief and Recovery Coordination, recognizing their dedicated efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. Commissioner Eric Colvin commended residents, organizations, and businesses for their collective contributions to this vital initiative.
During County Administrator time, the Commissioners reviewed schedules for future meetings and approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Maryland State Police to grant view-only access to the county’s Computer-Aided Dispatch system, aiming to enhance police communications. They also approved the FY2025 Senior Care Grant Application, securing $195,876, including $7,091 in county funds, to support senior citizens aging in place.
The Commissioners approved an agreement with the Tri-County Council and the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission to terminate the Regional Agriculture Center project. Remaining grant funds of $450,000 and project plans will return to SMADC, while $2.6 million in county bond funding will be freed for other uses. Additionally, they approved a grant amendment to the Maryland Connected Devices Program, which provides an additional $3,000 administrative stipend and 500 Chromebooks for low-income residents. Commissioner Colvin opposed the measure, citing concerns about resource allocation for Southern Maryland distribution.
A budget amendment and construction contract exceeding $3 million were approved to transform the Leonard Hall School into a county-operated childcare facility. Commissioner Colvin voted against this measure, expressing reservations about increased costs and long-term debt compared to the original plan. The Commissioners also allocated $707,054 from American Rescue Plan funds to purchase radios for first responders.
The County Attorney’s Office provided a legislative update, and the Commissioners held their second FY2026 Budget Work Session. They approved an $85 million bond authority request to cover the next two years, despite Commissioner Colvin’s opposition. He advocated for a single-year approach and the use of unassigned fund balances to offset borrowing needs. The session also included discussions on property taxes, income taxes, school funding requirements, and mid-year salary adjustments for career emergency medical technicians and paramedics to enhance competitiveness.
During Commissioner Time, Commissioner Colvin highlighted recent COSMIC Symphony concerts and the upcoming Maryland Association of Counties Conference.
The next CSMC business meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building’s CSMC Meeting Room, 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via the county’s YouTube channel. For more information on meeting agendas, minutes, and related documents, visit the St. Mary’s County Government website at BoardDocs.
