[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6380302,"mediaKeyId","2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2","parentId",2132288,"title","Commissioners approve BOE CIP closeouts and allocate $341,967 for FY2017 snow removal costs","audioSeconds",284,"startMs",3538000,"endMs",3822000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2&start=3538&end=3822","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2/thumbnail_3538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380302/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-BOE-CIP-closeouts-and-allocate-341967-for-FY2017-snow-removal-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380302-572e4d7b33697098d5e1c0a1068aa68b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194573&Signature=ZLotNiFJXd2aBOC~zrt9njPUYHlTJ0KyWNXRgvSq3tEakail0Sh-gpDbArBUGd-KgsDTFN3Hwb73t~xmkKuOYjjEQTI2yzZ8OccGrappWyxmYKrFQgyWzDINYZDeZ06Mh58EBTg-Gr987SukqyaayMUSe~EPER14Mh~achQRME~KexetdnhUQIRyN3Qiju-lhJTtYop4f8LY9JCV2RURryjPcessYIbBzISiIOXpXChVt5zKx7yqT0gmwH5XZVupHjMcgCk9x5BDv8er~XWX5pi5uMp45t6MsBcngo3604fVriw1aPjiPzi18O~yfxjal4N6y5BHB5vOypZNGYD0wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-20T23:57:35Z","article","On April 25 the Commissioners of Saint Mary’s County approved two finance actions: a budget amendment closing out several Board of Education capital projects and a separate budget realignment to cover FY2017 snow‑response costs.

Finance chief Jeanette Cudmore presented the closeout request: three Board of Education projects were ready to be closed and their balances returned to fund reserves. The transaction will increase the county’s capital reserve by $209,004 (after adjustments) and adjust internal funding lines; the presentation noted the majority of the closed‑out balance is state and federal grant money and referenced a forthcoming procurement award that will require use of some transfer tax funds.

The board also approved a snow‑season realignment to cover overtime, fringe and contract costs from the five winter weather events during the 2016–2017 season. Finance staff reported total snow‑related expenses of $341,967, including approximately $56,624 for employee overtime and fringe and $285,343 for contract services and related supplies (salt, equipment rental). Staff said the county did not need to draw on emergency reserves because savings existed in other operating accounts (e.g., fuel, heating) due to a mild winter in some departments.

Both amendments were adopted by the board and the commissioners authorized the commission president to sign the related documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/25/2017 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved budget amendments to close out several Board of Education CIP items and authorized a realignment of funds totaling $341,967 to cover overtime, fringe and contract costs from the 2016–2017 snow season.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380303,"Commissioners approve farm lease pending verification, table detailed plan for Snow Hill Farm purchase",448,3888000,4336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2&start=3888&end=4336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2/thumbnail_3888000.jpg","/articles/6380303/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-farm-lease-pending-verification-table-detailed-plan-for-Snow-Hill-Farm-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380303-b55ec16a59c5d57af2fec4c3767e20d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194573&Signature=QIF1rpfairCG3DAOJDiAjT0G7xdMkHorLyUSdvMc65s5aqrCu6gccJv6zhLnOcOlmU4I3oDeHQTyzwgyIQFnRAD4Ou94Q44gIgZIjeMHOTCBNm2UlDxW48TOq7jwy4-EZ2g~XmTq-hSH7CoJD962ZFpw2hYkdAzyVXY1jJdbSFMlShURAZD32sIux-IOdehVKnbfe9UxPMN3zGqv-rGvN9Euc9yyNGVj1H21IH4lcULOeMhTbBOMUlwQgN8JqRs1~TUJdX2iOXQ06EyrG3ZAWOygFUPGn2161fzwkz5tRcD8ub4lzTqIYrcKBggiRlYKIHu7qqsgulbY8WPVT236MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saint Mary’s County officials on April 25 discussed next steps after the county’s March 30 purchase of Snow Hill Farm and approved an agricultural lease with Jeffrey Raley Sr. and Jeffrey Raley Jr. pending verification of prior lease terms and rent. The county tabled detailed approval of a plan of action for the property until staff returns with additional information.

Recreation and Parks acting director Arthur Shepherd said Snow Hill Farm measures 158.64 acres; the county’s purchase price was $1,800,000 and incidental closing or near‑term costs were estimated at about $100,000, bringing the total project cost to approximately $1,900,000. Funding sources reported at the meeting included $1,000,000 in local open‑space funds, $516,447 in state Program Open Space (POS) funds (approved by the Board of Public Works on March 22), and $383,553 in Rippey funds.

Commissioners discussed operational issues: staff recommended securing the property, continuing crop farming under a lease, cutting grass, and addressing two in‑ground pools on the property that may be beyond useful repair. Commissioners asked staff to evaluate whether to fence the pools, fill and remove them, or otherwise mitigate public‑safety risks if the county opens the property for public use. Staff noted one tenant house could be made rentable with roughly $10,000 in repairs; two other houses will require separate disposition decisions. The Raleys said they would add Snow Hill to their crop‑management/deer‑management permit and are prepared to farm the site if a lease is approved.

The board approved a motion to table formal adoption of the plan of action pending verification of lease details and additional information about property maintenance and pool remediation. Separately, the board approved a lease with the Raleys for agricultural use conditional on staff verifying the lease price and the prior owner’s leasing arrangement.","The board confirmed the county's recent purchase of Snow Hill Farm (158.64 acres) and approved a short‑term agricultural lease with local farmers pending verification of prior lease terms; the county tabled a fuller plan of action pending additional information about caretaker occupancy, lease history and pool remediation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380308,"Commissioners ask staff to convene stakeholders to study exempting detached sheds up to 600 sq ft",294,3270000,3564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2&start=3270&end=3564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","/articles/6380308/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-ask-staff-to-convene-stakeholders-to-study-exempting-detached-sheds-up-to-600-sq-ft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380308-0567036b8cd1116a0916ef36a54f25a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194573&Signature=nZ89n9rruRFVMKrS60GdDguDoCJdwQSS9lS5yKITuXZqZ4fzcFyW3xOIJNK9XN10oiJPaUESj7~iHn8aTYEecYUrAoL0~NLZs3iC8SDKUJHISzTN7tqBUAty2EEquxszbjCxWVky8ZJ3p7bL9Bfo8DyoxIz4Wd6bxYw9g0oqP1MoTIg5QGz8nmnbmzjy613827K6xd6lED5EeZ9rIiRwIfEwZuK0hzDL-LLzBFUR2CPzTd3zumlh9bMYN3bKUv~hUIA5jsbqfCXIO2uIAMJ2-vwEwlrXzk9YpqvRCnRga0AfxBdPibdzialzjI8AN2tdvm6ep-qMb3q71nqdGyGb9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on April 25 authorized the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to invite stakeholders to review a proposal to exempt accessory detached sheds up to 600 square feet from the county building code (the county currently exempts sheds up to 300 square feet).

Interim Land Use Director Bill Hunt and staff explained the narrow scope: the focus group should evaluate whether the county should expand the existing building‑code exemption and, if so, what technical conditions should apply (for example, what footing/foundation standard is acceptable, and whether the presence of electrical or plumbing should still trigger separate permits). Commissioners raised specific concerns regarding the sediment/erosion control and stormwater thresholds (a 5,000‑square‑foot disturbed area can trigger additional controls) and whether larger prebuilt steel structures or two‑car garages would be improperly captured by a larger exemption.

Staff noted that electrical and plumbing installations would still require separate permits regardless of any building‑code exemption and that zoning permits and cumulative calculations for stormwater/sediment control remain applicable. The International Residential Code (IRC), which the county adopts, currently requires footings/foundations for structures over 300 square feet; the focus group will examine acceptable alternatives, including lighter‑touch foundation standards commonly used for delivered metal buildings.

The board approved the request to assemble stakeholders and report back. The focus group’s charge is to provide technical recommendations on draft code language, foundation/installation standards, and recommended thresholds for requiring standard building permits or specialized permits for electrical/plumbing.","Land use staff will invite stakeholders to examine whether Saint Mary’s County should raise the building code exemption for accessory detached sheds from 300 to 600 square feet and clarify foundation, electrical and permit triggers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380313,"Commissioners authorize public hearing for Rogers Drive extension using CDBG funds",2557,2820000,5377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2&start=2820&end=5377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2/thumbnail_2820000.jpg","/articles/6380313/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-authorize-public-hearing-for-Rogers-Drive-extension-using-CDBG-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380313-233348f767f57d0700e1e93a504edb70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194573&Signature=KMZuOavrxuCl~hnsADzqRHiIr0i4PwGbb1ZUQA7BYSFBjHZrLi6Ryo-2qI9-ohKIQs5BJMTjPftAmaDlIsA2fMObb2-ccnZSzvqpvfGmUHDmWcAcotwtXAPL6WZBnGECOiVmm5qSl8xafzNuxcNCHHyt~mOIdbAeF4xrWAdDj0er47D7Ru35BPK4PAMBQGSd9bM3PwY-JNsF3DKFeR1y1xf1SjGspsSy-6mZQdt9QsnTWy2lVlMmzc6megRk~V2tTGVXSyuTCtmi8mrP02iTQzLVG2wgZWJVroA5mYvmWvIajA43bvLrsdPRNpi0M4MqFRU5l0YIy8ceRkLRee0HyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on April 25 authorized the Department of Economic Development to schedule a public hearing on May 16 to consider redirecting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to extend Rogers Drive in Lexington Park.

Deputy Director Robin Finneca and Vicky Folk, executive director of the Saint Mary’s County Community Development Corporation (CDC), described the project as a neighborhood road connection identified in the 2016 Lexington Park master plan. Folk said the CDC would build the road under county standards and turn the completed road over to the county. The CDC reported available funding that could support the work: roughly $230,000 in corpus funds from a prior sale, a state commitment of $100,000 toward the project, $40,000 in CDC cash, and $70,000 in in‑kind services. Vicky Folk said the land for the short extension would be donated by a private owner (identified in the presentation as Pete DeTemple).

Officials said the extension is intended to improve neighborhood access and public‑safety patrols in Colony Square by creating a second entrance and improving circulation. Staff noted the CDBG program places high emphasis on local public involvement; the county would be the applicant for the grant and—if funded—would pass funds through to the CDC as a subrecipient. The board approved staff’s request to set a public hearing to gather community input as part of the formal application process.

Next steps: the Department of Economic Development will schedule and publicize a May 16 public hearing, collect input, and return a full funding and application package to the board for final consideration if the county decides to submit the CDBG application.","The board authorized the Department of Economic Development to schedule a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application to extend Rogers Drive in Lexington Park; the county will be the CDBG applicant with the Community Development Corporation as a subrecipient.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380318,"St. Mary's commissioners form focus group, raise development impact fee $1,000",1696,1935000,3631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2&start=1935&end=3631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132288-f5b12f1419ab1ba0a19f61e04a6a89c2/thumbnail_1935000.jpg","/articles/6380318/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-commissioners-form-focus-group-raise-development-impact-fee-1000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380318-5df270208c124f7513ff12dbb63faa70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194573&Signature=UHuLc4z-IvBeGJPiPyvwQmn4DPpNBrDvrKPlWnndrVDMncKx~6filnqJYYwdDOicJIGDaMI1TVjRDpPC6-L4vSNL6BYh~80iLkGUkEeWrRCt~~ceB24WfJwDR32JRM~OvHlYdIoLvuaz2GiEqsIBlsv8nnC~3doJcT0o91Ym2cKXdicQSY-3UMkHrRcUn4ZMhc8Cni7f6QZwXcxgrpnmPfFeRpR7Vz3tePWzVcmQJpcuRAQC5O9y1uYwFUbAFa4inswANyu2SwapwnYhT2RY690Xb14n96grooErS6xw1d1TzQ-YYDdDC9sAqwt7x8Hw~~idTXSialIECc1hSg860A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on April 25 directed staff to convene a stakeholder focus group to study Chapter 223 of the county code on development impact fees and set a reporting date for the work this fall, and they voted to increase the county’s residential development impact fee by $1,000 for fiscal 2018.

Finance staff told commissioners that about 100 people attended an April 4 public hearing and that the county had received extensive written comments, including a petition with more than 125 signatures. Jeanette Cudmore, chief financial officer, summarized public input and described a consultant estimate of roughly $100,000 to perform a comprehensive, outside impact‑fee study; she also said the county could issue an RFP and that internal and local expertise might reduce cost or delay.

Commission President Randy Guy moved to direct staff to organize a focus group of stakeholders to examine Chapter 223 and return recommendations. Commissioners amended the timetable: staff will convene the group and present findings by Dec. 1, 2017; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with five yeses. Separately, commissioners voted to authorize the Department of Finance to solicit support services to assist the department and the focus group if staff workload requires outside help; the finance department noted it had roughly $30,000 budgeted for consultant assistance but that larger proposals could be considered with board approval.

After extended discussion about the size and pace of any fee increase, a motion to raise the residential development impact fee by $1,000 passed. The board set the fee at $55,100 for fiscal year 2018. Commissioners who spoke said they wanted a moderate step now and a more comprehensive review to follow so the county would not “shock” the housing market with a large, immediate jump. Several commissioners also warned that a full study could produce a substantially higher recommended fee and urged clear communication and grandfathering options for projects already permitted.

The motions taken at the meeting included formation of a locally led focus group (no outside consultant required by the motion), authorization for finance to solicit support services if needed, and the $1,000 fee increase. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized they were seeking a balanced approach that would capture more infrastructure funding from new development while trying to avoid abrupt market disruption. The focus group and any consultant work are intended to inform final ordinance language and any future fee schedule changes.

What happens next: staff will assemble the stakeholder group and report back by Dec. 1, 2017. The finance department will proceed with an RFP if additional outside support is needed and will return to the board with cost estimates before committing funds beyond currently budgeted amounts.","After public comment and weeks of debate, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County directed staff to form a stakeholder focus group to reexamine Chapter 223 (development impact fees) and voted to raise the impact fee by $1,000 to $55,100 for fiscal 2018; commissioners also authorized limited consultant support if staff needs help.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve BOE CIP closeouts and allocate $341,967 for FY2017 snow removal costs

Commissioners approve farm lease pending verification, table detailed plan for Snow Hill Farm purchase

Commissioners ask staff to convene stakeholders to study exempting detached sheds up to 600 sq ft

Commissioners authorize public hearing for Rogers Drive extension using CDBG funds

St. Mary's commissioners form focus group, raise development impact fee $1,000