The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting, beginning with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the consent agenda.
The commissioners presented proclamations recognizing Transit Equity Day, Dating Violence Awareness Month, and Black History Month before moving into County Administrator Time.
During this session, the commissioners reviewed upcoming meeting agendas and approved the State’s Attorney’s Office request to convert a regular part-time paralegal position to full-time. The additional cost will be covered for the remainder of the fiscal year through salary savings. They also approved prioritizing the Huntersville Rural Legacy Area for 2026 land preservation, a routine decision in which the state asks the county to select between prioritizing the Huntersville or Mattapany Rural Legacy Areas for funding.
The commissioners also approved a letter from the County Administrator to the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission ensuring that required upgrades will be made to the Forest Run Wastewater Pump Station. These improvements, funded by Green Street Housing, LLC as part of its development project, the Villas at Lexwoods, are necessary for the YMCA to open.
The commissioners then entered a legislative review session with the County Attorney’s Office to discuss several bills that could impact St. Mary’s County. They approved the following letters of support:
- HB 561 – St. Mary’s County Public Facilities Bond – Support with Amendments, requesting the delegation amend the bill to include the full bond request from the county
- HB 460, HB 480, HB 490, and HB 574 – Previously approved county-requested bills advancing through the delegation
- HB 461/SB 460 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Cut Flowers
They also approved a letter opposing HB 93/SB 234, a bill to establish a Homeless Shelter Certification Program. Commissioners expressed concern that, if passed, the bill would make it difficult for local organizations such as Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many (WARM) and The Mission to continue operating.
During Commissioner Time, Commissioner Eric Colvin reflected on attending the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad’s 74th Installation of Officers over the weekend, as well as last week’s public hearing on the proposed sports complex. He also briefly discussed the tragic plane crash that occurred last week.
The next business meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room on the first floor of the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. A Budget Work Session will follow at 1:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov. Meeting documents and decisions are available online through BoardDocs at www.stmaryscountymd.gov.
