LEONARDTOWN, MD — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) held their regular business meeting January 13, 2026, in the Chesapeake Building, addressing a delayed start due to storm cleanup and icy conditions from recent weather. Commissioners began with an invocation and pledge, approved the consent agenda, and issued a proclamation recognizing National Burn Awareness Week.
In main agenda items, commissioners authorized two public hearings scheduled for February 24, 2026. The first, requested by the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, will consider increasing the fire tax rate in the 8th Election District from $0.050 to $0.056 per $100 of assessed value. The proposal, vetted and approved by the St. Mary’s County Fire Board Association and Emergency Services Board, would raise about $23.41 annually for the average household in that district. Residents can provide feedback at the 7 p.m. hearing at the department’s Lexington Park station, with results informing the annual budget process.
The second hearing, led by the Department of Land Use & Growth Management, will review TEXT25-0112, a text amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allowing Use Type 28 (non-medical day care) in the Resource Conservation Area Critical Area Overlay District. The change adopts requirements from the Critical Area Commission, though Commissioner Eric Colvin noted disappointment over provisions prohibiting appeals to the Board of Appeals for affected properties.
During County Administrator Time, commissioners reviewed upcoming meeting agendas and received a briefing from the Department of Land Use and Growth Management on the current Adequate Public Facilities school allocation policy and generation rates, confirming sufficient school capacity under existing calculations.
Commissioners approved an agreement among the State of Maryland, Southern Maryland Navy Alliance Inc., and St. Mary’s County to support projects at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. The Navy Alliance will receive a grant to install a new Jet-A Sustainable Aviation Fuel system, benefiting the county-operated airport.
They also approved the 2026 St. Mary’s Transit Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, ensuring compliance with federal and state safety standards for the county’s bus system.
Two option contracts with the State Highway Administration gained approval for sidewalk improvements along Route 245 (Hollywood Road) in Leonardtown. One covers a portion of real property at the Governmental Center for $29,900, and the other an easement on Board of Elections property for $950, facilitating construction on both sides of the road by the Town of Leonardtown and state.
Commissioners discussed the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, established under Maryland’s Cannabis Reform Act of 2023 to allocate adult-use cannabis tax revenue for community initiatives in low-income areas disproportionately impacted by prior cannabis enforcement. St. Mary’s County has received $1,430,067.26, with strict state stipulations on eligible uses such as revitalization projects.
The Office of the County Attorney provided a legislative update, including approval of a letter of support for SB 288, which addresses Transportation Highway User Revenues Capital Grants calculation.
In Commissioner Time, Eric Colvin highlighted recent volunteer fire and rescue squad installations, the Length of Service Award Program actuarial valuation review, the Knott Family Center ribbon cutting for St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, and effective county response to the winter storm. He compared potential federal government shutdowns to the film “Groundhog Day” and hoped to avoid repetition at the end of the current continuing resolution.
The meeting concluded with a closed session on personnel and legal advice. Commissioners reconvened that evening at 6:30 p.m. for a public forum allowing resident input.
The next CSMC business meeting is set for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, first floor of the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown. Meetings are open to the public, viewable live on TV Channel 95 or at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov, with decisions and documents available via BoardDocs on the county website.