St. Mary’s County Commissioners conducted their latest business meeting despite the impending snowfall, addressing key issues related to public services, infrastructure, and county operations. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of the consent agenda.
One of the early agenda items included a proclamation recognizing National Engineers Week, acknowledging the contributions of engineers to the county’s development and infrastructure. The commissioners also took a moment to recognize the volunteer members of various local boards, committees, and commissions, expressing gratitude for their service and encouraging more residents to get involved. Information on these opportunities is available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/boards.
A significant financial update included the acceptance of a $75,000 check from the Tri-County Council, designated for modernization efforts at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. The funding will support terminal improvements and reinforce the airport’s role in regional transportation and economic development.
The commissioners also approved a request to hold a public hearing on March 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. regarding a proposed increase to the rescue tax for the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad. The squad initially requested an increase from $0.009 to $0.014 but revised the request to the maximum allowed rate of $0.030 after reassessing financial needs. The hearing will allow public input on the proposed funding changes.
During County Administrator Time, the commissioners reviewed upcoming meeting agendas and approved a request from the Sheriff’s Office to convert a vacant Agency Health Nurse position into an Information Systems and Analytics Manager role. They also authorized a $111,000 FY25 Local Management Board Capacity Building Grant as part of the ENOUGH Initiative, which supports training for local nonprofits. Additionally, the Department of Public Works and Transportation received approval for a reorganization plan aimed at improving efficiency while reducing salary expenses.
The commissioners also received a legislative update from the Office of the County Attorney. They voted to support SB 18, which would reduce the number of early voting days in Maryland from eight to five. They also backed HB 1188, a public safety bill focused on cooperation in immigration enforcement.
The next commissioner business meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. That afternoon, a budget work session will be held at 1:30 p.m. Decisions made by the commissioners, along with related documents, are available on the county government’s website through BoardDocs. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.
The budget work session originally scheduled for today was canceled due to inclement weather, with agenda items rescheduled for February 25. Residents can track budget updates, watch meeting videos, and provide feedback by visiting https://bit.ly/SMCG-FY26-Budget.
There will be no commissioner business meeting on February 17, 2025.
