The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting on July 29, 2025, in Leonardtown, addressing a range of items from zoning amendments to grant approvals and budget adjustments. The St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda, which included a letter of support to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for Cedar Lane’s grant application for a new building.
Commissioners presented commendations to Henry Brodersen for 24 years of volunteer service with the home-delivered meals program and to Chris Kaselemis for his retirement as director of the Department of Economic Development. These recognitions underscored the county’s appreciation for long-term community contributions.
The main agenda item at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting focused on authorizing a public hearing on August 26, 2025, to consider proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The changes would allow Use Type 28 in the Resource Conservation Area Critical Area Overlay, prompted by All Saints Church in Avenue seeking to establish a Head Start preschool program in an existing structure on their property. Day care is currently not permitted in the Resource Conservation Area but is allowed in the Rural Preservation District zoning where the property is located. Commissioners also authorized the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to submit the proposed ordinance to the Critical Area Commission for review. This action aligns with ongoing efforts to balance conservation with community needs in St. Mary’s County.
During county administrator time at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting, several actions were taken. Commissioners reviewed future meeting agendas and approved budget amendments totaling $1,384,745 for the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Capital Improvement Program. These funds realign resources from completed, reduced or canceled projects to new critical initiatives, including those addressing school wells, sewage and HVAC systems for fiscal year 2026.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting included a status update on the St. Mary’s 2050 comprehensive plan from the Department of Land Use and Growth Management. The presentation covered results from the second community engagement window and outlined the timeline moving forward, building on prior budget approvals that supported planning efforts.
Commissioners approved acceptance of a $25,000 fiscal year 2026 Maryland Critical Area Commission grant for the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to review the county’s Critical Area Program and ensure compliance with state law.
In a key decision at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting, the final ordinance was approved to change the zoning designation for portions of properties at the Pax River Village Center in Lexington Park from Limited Commercial to High-Intensity Mixed-Use. This follows earlier public hearings and amendments related to the center’s second-phase redevelopment. Commissioner Eric Colvin voted no, citing concerns from the Navy about potential risks to citizen safety and the mission of Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting also saw approval of a memorandum of understanding with Towson University for a regional workforce study, in partnership with Charles and Calvert counties’ economic development departments and Southern Maryland 2030. The total cost of $69,000 is shared among participants and budgeted.
Commissioners approved a new and expanding business property tax credit for Aviation Systems Engineering Company. Based on hiring achievements and plans, the company will receive $10,000 annually for 10 years. This tax credit program has previously supported local businesses, such as Coherent Technical Services Inc., in expanding operations in St. Mary’s County.
Additional approvals at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting included the Department of Aging and Human Services’ fiscal year 2026 Area Plan Update Application and Notice of Grant Award, providing $416,040 in federal funds, $171,619 in state funds and a county match of $144,110 to support programs for older adults.
A contract award of $1,944,777 to Allan Myers MD Inc. was approved for paving at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport, enhancing infrastructure critical to Southern Maryland’s aviation sector.
Commissioners accepted a $350,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant for the Department of Recreation and Parks to construct playgrounds at St. Clements Shores and Cecil Park, matched by $350,000 from the county.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting approved a $450,000 Maryland State Arts Council grant agreement for the St. Mary’s Arts Council to renovate the Maker’s Space at the Carver Recreation Center.
Finally, commissioners approved the proposed schedule for developing the 2026 legislative agenda to present new requests to the delegation.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting concluded with commissioner time, where Colvin highlighted local events including the Summerstock musical Tarzan, the growingSTEMS Hive Hysteria robot competition, Southern Maryland Laser Tag, the upcoming MACo Conference and lawnmower races at Bowles Farms.
An evening public forum followed the business meeting. No meetings are scheduled for August 5 or August 12, 2025; the next St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting is August 19, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. Decisions and documents are available on the county website in BoardDocs, with live viewing on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via YouTube.
These actions reflect ongoing priorities in St. Mary’s County, a Southern Maryland community of about 113,000 residents known for its proximity to the Patuxent River and Naval Air Station. The commissioners’ decisions support economic development, education and conservation, building on the county’s role as a hub for defense-related industries and rural preservation.
