The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) held their regular business meeting, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before approving the consent agenda.
The primary agenda item involved approving a request to hold a public hearing regarding a zoning change for property at 25741 Three Notch Road in Hollywood, Maryland. The proposed amendment to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map would reclassify the property’s designation from Rural Preservation to Rural Commerce and its zoning from Rural Preservation to Rural Commercial Limited. Details about the public hearing will be posted online once finalized.
During County Administrator time, the commissioners reviewed future meeting agendas and approved several agreements and funding requests. They signed off on Fiscal Year 2025 agreements between the St. Mary’s County Health Department and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) Detention and Rehabilitation Center for the STOP, Five County, Maryland Community Justice Treatment, and Day Reporting programs. They also approved a Fiscal Year 2025 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment grant of $189,091, which includes a $63,036 county match covered by existing salary expenses, as well as a Fiscal Year 2026 Maryland Highway Safety Grant application for $18,500, which does not require a county match.
The commissioners approved Program Open Space funding for a $275,400 LED Light Retrofit project at Chancellors Run Regional Park and $25,000 for the Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan. The lighting retrofit project includes a $30,600 county match. Additionally, they approved a budget amendment to reallocate $393,618 in salary savings to the Commissioners’ Emergency Reserve.
During legislative updates, the commissioners submitted several letters of support and opposition regarding state legislation. They expressed support for HB 885/SB 625, which pertains to police accountability records for unfounded and exonerated complaints. They opposed HB 20/SB 198, which focuses on prioritizing transportation investments, as well as HB 84/SB 395, which involves major highway expansion projects and impact assessments. They also opposed HB 1036/SB 391, which relates to the siting of renewable energy generation stations, and HB 1364/SB 894, which concerns modifications to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund.
During Commissioner Time, discussions included the recent St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District Awards to Rolling Stone Farm, a COSMIC Symphony concert, and the upcoming Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Spaghetti Dinner. One commissioner also raised concerns about the county’s Animal Control Ordinance, which requires a “Commercial Animal Establishment License” for pet owners with five or more dogs, suggesting that changes should be made to avoid classifying non-commercial pet owners as businesses. Additionally, concerns were shared about the uncertainty surrounding the federal workforce and its potential impact on St. Mary’s County.
The commissioners concluded the morning in a closed session to discuss real property. In the afternoon, they reconvened for a double Budget Work Session focused on Capital Improvement Projects and the county’s operating budget, including a review of Board of Education requests.
The next Commissioner’s business meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room on the first floor of the Chesapeake Building at 41770 Baldridge Street 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 Channel 95 or on-demand via YouTube.
