LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County commissioners approved a federal grant for senior services, funds for radio tower remediation and a small land transfer during their August 26, 2025, meeting, while receiving a presentation on shifting to zero-based budgeting for fiscal year 2027. The board also issued a proclamation recognizing Women’s Equality Day. These actions support essential programs for older residents, enhance public safety communications and clarify property issues in the county’s rural landscapes.
The meeting began with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. Commissioners then presented the Women’s Equality Day proclamation to members of the St. Mary’s County Commission for Women. The day commemorates the August 26, 1920, certification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. In St. Mary’s County, the proclamation aligns with local efforts to acknowledge historical milestones in gender equality, as seen in previous recognitions by the commission.
During County Administrator Time, the board reviewed future meeting agendas. They approved the fiscal year 2025 Federal Older Americans Act Notice of Grant Awards for the Department of Aging and Human Services. The $408,505 federal allocation comes with a required $41,745 county match, plus $40,358 in additional county funds and $49,000 from other income. The grant funds home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, preventive health services and elder abuse prevention programs. The Older Americans Act, established in 1965, provides federal support for such initiatives to help seniors remain independent in their communities. In Maryland, the Department of Aging administers these grants to local areas, focusing on nutrition and support for older adults. In St. Mary’s County, the department operates programs through senior activity centers, delivering meals to homebound residents in rural areas like Piney Point and Ridge, where access to services can be limited by distance.
Commissioners next approved the Department of Emergency Services’ request to realign $31,963 and use exempt financing for remediation of the Sandgate Radio Tower. This covers the first year of a $138,967.50 total repair cost. The tower, owned by the county, failed a structural analysis as part of a larger countywide radio system upgrade. The state-owned Three Notch Tower also failed the analysis. The upgrades aim to improve radio coverage for first responders across St. Mary’s rural terrain, including areas near the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, where reliable communication is vital for emergency responses in isolated communities. The Sandgate Tower supports public safety operations in the southern part of the county, ensuring better interoperability for fire, police and medical services in regions characterized by farmland and waterfronts.
The board received a presentation from Chief Financial Officer Vanetta Van Cleave on alternative budgeting methodologies for the fiscal year 2027 cycle. The discussion focused on transitioning to zero-based budgeting, which starts from a zero base each year and requires justification for every expense, unlike traditional methods that adjust from prior budgets. This approach seeks to enhance transparency and better planning in the capital improvement program process. Commissioner Eric Colvin noted he has advocated for this shift, stating it is “a great move for our county.” Zero-based budgeting evaluates all costs anew, promoting accountability in government spending. In St. Mary’s County, this could refine allocation of resources for rural infrastructure, such as maintaining roads and public facilities in communities like Hollywood and Mechanicsville.
Commissioners approved the transfer of 0.84 acres off Route 235 in Lexington Park to the Maryland State Highway Administration for $3,080. The unused county-owned parcel resolves a title dispute for an adjacent property owner. Route 235 serves as a main corridor through Lexington Park, connecting rural residential areas to commercial zones near Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The State Highway Administration oversees maintenance and improvements along this route, which supports daily travel in the county’s blend of agricultural lands and growing suburbs.
The meeting ended with Commissioner Time, where Colvin discussed the budgeting shift and gerrymandering. No meeting is set for September 2, 2025, due to the holiday week. The next convenes September 9, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building meeting room at 41770 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown. Decisions and documents are available on the county website via BoardDocs. Meetings stream live on Channel 95 or YouTube at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.
These decisions bolster services in St. Mary’s County, where rural charm defines much of the landscape, from oyster farms along the St. Mary’s River to historic sites in Leonardtown. The senior grant continues a tradition of federal aid, with similar awards in past years funding over 100,000 meals statewide for older adults. The radio remediation addresses gaps in coverage that affect emergency responses in remote areas, building on prior upgrades to the county’s communication system. The budgeting presentation prepares for fiscal year 2027, potentially aligning with state trends toward efficient spending amid economic pressures. The land transfer facilitates clearer property management along a key highway, aiding local development without disrupting the county’s agricultural heritage.
