[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6379901,"mediaKeyId","2134655-dac29d85ffd90e22c44ef706b16e4dc7","parentId",2134655,"title","St. Mary’s County commissioners approve bond transfer, playground grant, hunting agreement and other measures","audioSeconds",4973,"startMs",636000,"endMs",5609000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2134655-dac29d85ffd90e22c44ef706b16e4dc7&start=636&end=5609","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2134655-dac29d85ffd90e22c44ef706b16e4dc7/thumbnail_636000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379901/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-commissioners-approve-bond-transfer-playground-grant-hunting-agreement-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379901-74f859654246a49a574ef5fbc08d315c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442922&Signature=ciWapUOoHqjBFRLe6fC86E2dfq2lwCXfdeuhfLcEy5neva6SQbaHVNwgRdgpPzGDOXVK02xKQ829qzOnMmzWpS5JT1IIU-MkD4CVhkKVvpUAPV9NBehBwnkL3iki4dfGQaIKys2sUgpKfNmCDJzbDB66qrwdocjy4iX8LBIyOf1mQeorjKlANpTPOEqGHdF4kGW3V1Km3QdOGH1eX9KzlAiH4kEHTDPVBfckwdxZ6CJvE3i2x22uszsvlhGyvITbsfFT4JMEzFwSOsrs~JAvvYT-UotJCPD9ERHDtSuMsT31eS6bx5PWRuw0m6fJS9fmG6YYlHLGV9Nm0f-RI47XVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-21T13:53:24Z","article","Leonardtown, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on Aug. 2 adopted a series of ordinances, agreements and budget adjustments that the board and county staff said support local infrastructure, housing and public services.

The board voted to adopt an ordinance to realign the intersection of Blacksmith Shop Road and Seadrill Lane Road and approved multiple administrative items including the county’s transfer of its 2016 housing bond allocation to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), authorization to apply for a Community Parks and Playgrounds grant for Wick Playground with the town of Leonardtown, acceptance of a $20,000 grant from Exelon Generation Company LLC to support emergency planning, and a cooperative wildlife management agreement to allow DNR-managed archery deer hunting at Myrtle Point Park.

Why it matters: the actions reallocate local and state resources, authorize planned capital and operating work and update personnel and budget policies that affect county services and projects in coming months. The bond allocation supports mortgage programs run through the state; the playground and hunting agreements affect park facilities and how county open space is managed; the Exelon grant funds emergency-plan updates tied to regional hazard-mitigation work.

Key approvals and summary details:

- State Core Public Health Services Funding Agreement (FY2017): The board authorized the county signing the agreement that confirms the county’s FY2017 public health budget and the county’s allocation to the state-required funding agreement. County staff said the county’s allocation exceeds the state maintenance‑of‑effort minimum. The motion passed; one commissioner registered an abstention during the roll call on the motion.

- Wick Playground application and project agreement (Leonardtown partnership): The Department of Recreation and Parks sought and received approval to pursue a $200,000 Maryland Community Parks and Playgrounds grant to supplement $200,000 already in the FY2017 CIP for replacement of the Wick Playground on the Governmental Center grounds. Brian Lowey, director of Recreation and Parks, said the combined funds would allow replacement of wood equipment (about 20 years old) with modern, ADA‑compliant surfacing and fencing. The board authorized the commissioner president to execute a future joint‑use agreement if the grant is awarded.

- Myrtle Point Park Cooperative Wildlife Management Agreement (bow hunting): The board approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cooperative agreement to allow archery hunting for white‑tailed deer on approximately 141 acres of a 192‑acre parcel at Myrtle Point Park for the 2016 season. DNR will manage permits out of the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Office; staff said there will be a maximum of six hunters per day, portable stands only, and hunting dates will follow Maryland season and bag limits (hunting proposed Oct. 15–Jan. 31; October hunts Monday–Friday only, remainder of season Monday–Saturday).

- Transfer of 2016 housing bond allocation to DHCD: The commissioners directed staff to transfer the county’s 2016 volume cap allocation — $3,882,759 — to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for use with the Maryland Mortgage Program and Maryland Home Credit Program. County and housing authority staff said the allocation historically goes into a statewide pool that supports low‑cost mortgage products; a qualifying household cap and program limits apply.

- Exelon (Exxon) grant acceptance for emergency plan updates: The board accepted a $20,000 grant from Exelon to help update the county emergency operations plan; emergency services staff said the work will be coordinated with the county’s hazard mitigation plan update to reduce duplication and realize cost savings. The commissioners authorized acceptance of the grant and related budget amendments.

- Capital reserve rollover and CIP budget amendments: Finance staff presented nine budget amendments to close FY2016 projects, roll unobligated transfer tax and pay‑go balances into FY2017, realign funding sources on select projects and establish a new AP‑1702 “bridal legacy” program. The board approved the package.

- Personnel manual updates: The board approved revisions to the County Government Manual of Personnel Policies and Procedures, effective Aug. 15, 2016. Key changes included extending the county’s prohibition on cell phone/text use while driving on county business to personal and rental vehicles, clarifying unlawful possession of weapons in the workplace, and a 90‑day waiting period before a former full‑time employee (excluding hourly employees) is eligible for rehire.

- Sale/real estate contract authorization: Following an executive‑session discussion on property acquisition, the board authorized the county president to sign a contract for the sale of real estate by and between 48 Farm Limited Partnership and St. Mary’s County.

What county staff said: Joyce Sapp, Fiscal Services chief for the health department, described the core health funding agreement as the state‑required confirmation of the county’s public health allocation. Chris Casalemas, director of Economic Development, and Dennis Nicholson, executive director of the Housing Authority, presented details of the housing bond allocation and program choices. Brian Lowey described the Wick Playground project as a community effort; Recreation and Parks will manage maintenance if the grant is awarded.

Next steps and context: Several approvals authorize staff to execute agreements or apply for grants; project designs, permit processes, and any required public notices or joint‑use agreements will follow usual departmental and town processes. The Myrtle Point hunting agreement is subject to DNR permit procedures and season schedules.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance to realign Blacksmith Shop Road and Seadrill Lane Road — motion to adopt ordinance: approved.
- FY2017 State Core Public Health Services Funding Agreement — motion to authorize signing: approved; one commissioner abstained.
- Community Parks & Playgrounds application (Wick Playground, Leonardtown partnership) — motion to approve application and authorize future joint‑use agreement: approved.
- Cooperative Wildlife Management Agreement (bow hunting at Myrtle Point Park) — motion to approve DNR agreement: approved.
- Transfer of 2016 housing bond allocation ($3,882,759) to MD DHCD — motion to approve transfer and authorize execution of related documents: approved.
- Acceptance of Exelon Generation Company LLC grant ($20,000) for emergency‑plan updates — motion to accept and amend budget: approved.
- Capital reserve rollover and nine CIP budget amendments — motion to approve and authorize: approved.
- Personnel manual revisions (effective Aug. 15, 2016) — motion to approve: approved.
- Authorization to execute contract for sale of real estate (48 Farm Limited Partnership) — motion to authorize signature: approved.

Ending: Several of the approved items — the playground grant application, the emergency planning work supported by the Exelon grant, and the DWCD bond allocation transfer — will require follow‑up by county departments. Departments told commissioners they will return with implementation details as required by grant or contract conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8/21/2016 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on Aug. 2 adopted an ordinance to realign a local intersection and approved a package of administrative measures — including a $3.88 million housing bond allocation transfer to the state, a $200,000 playground grant application, acceptance of a $20,000 Exelon grant, and CIP budget rollovers — that county officials said will support infrastructure, housing and emergency planning.","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},6379895,"After debate, commissioners approve conversion of county webmaster position to full time",831,2390000,3221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2134655-dac29d85ffd90e22c44ef706b16e4dc7&start=2390&end=3221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2134655-dac29d85ffd90e22c44ef706b16e4dc7/thumbnail_2390000.jpg","/articles/6379895/St-Marys-County/Maryland/After-debate-commissioners-approve-conversion-of-county-webmaster-position-to-full-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379895-644353075ddea1e0f524aec0fa573381/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442922&Signature=aj~jcWFPlrTdSX69X8aXDeGp0tkNdWXB6KxhcNz~Bnc3HNyJ2aqgE9~Bca2bPxwFiddlYfiLeRF2G8CF2Qts87ezKDlxZxP-73nYCIWu~bhU~3-2YdOVqXAFaAk9gOuqTT6hLNGJwvUnTMVwD5aDXLBHcUbdWTXOvvNkMu5MTpZloQSWv2MoWcD543oM~ykF6wYn3FcL4fyDMn06-DWJuaVMiaJSx-da0rRTZZe7CG~CkjGm9GBzw2V7Wlj4Yro78OeGI-Q~Ls1n4twocR-tzg9W~583FFOUYI71MoDca1eVgBvlxx7xzyOyrKDt0dqdzShWMLHDF5ZVFlJM8iZkgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leonardtown, Md. — Following more than an hour of discussion, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved converting the county webmaster from a regular part‑time (20 hours/week) role to a full‑time (40 hours/week) position effective Sept. 1, 2016, and instructed staff to advertise the vacancy externally.

Why it mattered: county IT and department leaders said the volume and technical complexity of web content, database connectivity and external data integrations require a full‑time specialist. Some commissioners objected on fiscal and policy grounds, arguing the conversion should be vetted in the next budget cycle rather than funded mid‑year using salary savings.

What was proposed and approved: Bob Kelly, director of Emergency Services and Technology, told the board the current part‑time role cannot reliably support thousands of web pages, database integrations (for example GIS and tax system links) and API connections. Kelly said the position is currently 20 hours per week and that converting to Grade 8, Step 2 full benefits would cost an estimated $56,111 in FY2018; he proposed offsetting FY2017 costs by delaying hiring for an open help‑desk position through January.

Board debate and votes: Commissioner Mike Hewitt said he was reluctant to use salary savings to fund a new FTE mid‑year and to set a precedent for other departments, noting the county\u0000s prior practice against using salary savings for ongoing positions. He said: \"I'm just having a tough time supporting a full time webmaster. Get me wrong, buddy. I know we're in this day and age of computers and everything, but I just can't see salary benefits.\" Commissioner John O'Connor countered that modern county services increasingly rely on web access and data integration, and said he would support the conversion because the need is ongoing.

The board initially voted to table the item to allow a standard budget‑cycle review. That tabling motion passed. Commissioners later revived the item, approved conversion to a full‑time FTE effective Sept. 1, 2016 and required the position be advertised to outside candidates. The motion to convert included direction to advertise publicly; the board recorded that the position would be advertised externally as part of the conversion process.

Implementation and next steps: County staff said the FY2018 ongoing cost of the full‑time position is about $56,111 (Grade 8, Step 2, with benefits) and that an ongoing budget increase of roughly $50,081 would be required in subsequent years. Departments expect to readdress the FY2018 budget during normal budget planning; in the short term, the county will use a hiring delay for an open help‑desk slot to offset the FY2017 cost.

Ending: The board’s decision resolves a longstanding staff request for expanded web services capability; commissioners asked for additional detail on department content loads and cross‑department responsibilities as part of future budget planning.","Commissioners approved converting a regular part‑time webmaster position (20 hrs/week) to a full‑time FTE (40 hrs/week) effective Sept. 1, 2016 after debate over timing, budget and salary‑savings policy; the board directed that the position be advertised externally.","actionData","errors"]

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St. Mary’s County commissioners approve bond transfer, playground grant, hunting agreement and other measures

After debate, commissioners approve conversion of county webmaster position to full time