The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will host a Public Forum on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the CSMC meeting room inside the Chesapeake Building at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. This regular forum gives residents a direct line to their elected leaders, allowing them to share thoughts on any topic that matters to daily life in Southern Maryland.
Public Forums let attendees offer appreciation, ask questions or provide suggestions in a mutually respectful format. Each speaker receives up to three minutes to address the Commissioners, creating a straightforward way for community members to influence local decisions. The format encourages open dialogue on issues ranging from infrastructure and public services to quality of life improvements that affect families across St. Mary’s County.
Residents unable to attend in person can still make their voices heard. Feedback can be submitted by email to CSMC@stmaryscountymd.gov or by mail to Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650. These options ensure broad participation even for those with busy schedules or who live in more remote areas of the county.
The Commissioners remain dedicated to equal access and participation for all residents. Individuals requiring accommodations for disabilities, special needs or language support services should contact the Public Information Office at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1340 at least three days in advance of the forum so that arrangements can be made. This commitment reflects the county’s ongoing efforts to remove barriers and welcome every voice in local government discussions.
The Public Forum will be broadcast live on St. Mary’s County Government TV Channel 95 and streamed online at YouTube.com/@StMarysCoGov for those who wish to watch remotely. Viewers can follow the proceedings from home and see how resident input shapes county priorities.
This event arrives at a key time for Southern Maryland. With steady growth in population, housing and economic development across St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, opportunities like the May 5 forum allow residents to weigh in on topics that directly impact their communities. Past public input sessions have helped guide decisions on budget priorities, land use and services that support families, seniors and businesses in the region. By attending or submitting comments, residents help ensure that local government stays responsive to real needs on the ground.
The Commissioners encourage all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the betterment of St. Mary’s County. Whether someone wants to highlight a successful program, raise a concern about traffic or roads or suggest new initiatives for youth or veterans, the forum provides a dedicated space for constructive conversation. In a county where waterfront communities, historic sites and growing neighborhoods coexist, such direct engagement strengthens the connection between residents and their leaders.
Southern Maryland’s tri-county area benefits when citizens participate actively in these forums. They foster transparency, build trust and often lead to practical solutions that improve daily life. For example, similar sessions have informed county responses to everything from emergency preparedness to recreational opportunities along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Residents in Leonardtown, California, Great Mills or any part of St. Mary’s County can use this platform to share ideas that matter most to them.
For more information on the CSMC, visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov/csmc. The upcoming forum underscores the county’s continued focus on inclusive governance and resident-driven progress. Mark your calendar, prepare your comments and join the conversation on May 5. Your input helps shape the future of St. Mary’s County and the broader Southern Maryland region.
