LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) convened on May 6, 2025, approving new volunteer firefighter and EMS programs, courthouse renovations, and recognizing local contributions during a packed meeting. The session included proclamations for Travel and Tourism Week, Small Business Month, National Nurses Week, and Historical Preservation Month, alongside the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards.
The meeting began with an invocation, pledge, and approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then honored three recipients of the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards, presented on behalf of the Department of Land Use & Growth Management and Historic Preservation Commission. Donald Barber and David Brown received an award for their book, “The Barber Family: From Slavery, through Segregation and The Civil Rights Movement.” Bob Crickenberger was recognized for his work at Point Lookout State Park, and Nancy Easterling for her efforts at Historic Sotterley.
On the main agenda, the commissioners approved adding 19 fire and EMS volunteers to the 2024 certified Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) list. They also established the Active Volunteer Firefighting and Rescue Squad Response Rewards Program, which offers qualifying volunteers a choice between a monetary stipend or a property tax credit, with costs not expected to exceed $1.6 million. “There was overwhelming community support for this program and the hope is that it will provide a reward and incentive for our volunteers,” Commissioner Eric Colvin stated on his Facebook page.
During County Administrator Time, the commissioners reviewed future meeting agendas and approved a funding request from the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court to add a fifth courtroom and renovate courtroom four. The project, costing $217,000, will be partially funded by $113,000 in court salary savings, with the remainder from Capital Reserve funds. This expansion aims to accommodate senior judges and reduce court date backlogs. The CSMC also approved a budget amendment realigning $215,000 in IT savings to support a $115,000 RecTrak software upgrade for the Department of Recreation & Parks, with the remaining $100,000 allocated to the Commissioner’s Emergency Reserve. Additionally, they authorized the Department of Land Use & Growth Management to apply for a $25,000 Maryland Critical Area Commission Grant for FY2026, requiring no county match, to review the local Critical Area Program for compliance with state law.
The CSMC reconvened in the afternoon for a Budget Work Session, discussing the $30 million bond sale for approved Capital Improvement Program projects and working to finalize the FY2026 budget. Community members can access the budget timeline and meeting details at https://bit.ly/SMCG-FY26-Budget. The day concluded with a Public Forum, allowing residents to voice concerns and engage with commissioners.
Meetings are held in the Chesapeake Building and are open to the public, with live broadcasts on TV Channel 95 and on-demand viewing available at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov. The approval of the volunteer rewards program reflects the county’s commitment to supporting its first responders, many of whom serve without compensation. The courthouse expansion addresses growing judicial demands, while the budget work session underscores ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with community needs.
The next CSMC meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 9 a.m., followed by a Budget Work Session at 1:30 p.m., both at the Chesapeake Building. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through BoardDocs on the SMCG website, where decisions and documents are publicly available.
