[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6377480,"mediaKeyId","2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33","parentId",2139005,"title","Commissioners debate sheriff’s proposed FTEs; motion to pick some positions fails, sheriff’s full recommendation moves forward","audioSeconds",842,"startMs",1722000,"endMs",2564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33&start=1722&end=2564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377480/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-debate-sheriffs-proposed-FTEs-motion-to-pick-some-positions-fails-sheriffs-full-recommendation-moves-forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377480-4c3307bfda2a9852f89ab155270b1924/orig.mp4?Expires=1775312709&Signature=FTKe3odRUNKbQjWP7DvloDMl~FNXynVeGINnVgV0mQXSOf-7KPnEe-GrmkAIkLppSETNvOFwDRPcj7H9xjPO9j7TSa9nsiXMEZyN04lBrTY~bA3Vpwxac0Ii3uQlPU5~SQU89vSnvTgct7ykB6-DlZFYDUrxVTgkr1GRp~YbXmr6jXqe1PjtkgjUpi8O-I~xI4DCbmjY8VuXhZxfO5qcrXGBtXAWVHUlSuaiFrAF2k-M0U2K2KqMie~rmYhFmjOUchjFuPVR2xhIxLRXgBStIGyDUBATMDtfyaiJ3PJqUZ6ndr5wMvB6ibIHQQ5aEFq4GBwfQzLAic-WK1bCLXeVtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-22T19:42:07Z","article","County commissioners spent substantial time on April 28 reviewing the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office staffing requests, FTE corrections and equipment needs as part of the FY2015 budget work session.

Background: county staff said some FTEs had been funded in the recommended budget but inadvertently were not listed in the FTE table; the sheriff’s office sought authorization updates and a set of new or changed positions (records/ background investigator, NCIC validation coordinator, PIO civilian, detective and patrol deputies, patrol administrative coordinator, supply specialist and classification specialist).

During discussion several commissioners said they supported making the current background investigator and a records position full time, and adding one detective and one patrol deputy, but opposed authorizing other proposed civilian/administrative positions immediately. One commissioner moved to approve only the patrol deputy, one detective (to be used at the sheriff’s discretion for CID/drug work), the classification specialist as full time, and the background investigator as full time, and to decline the other positions. A second was made for discussion.

Vote and outcome: after discussion the motion to approve the limited subset was put to a vote; the motion failed (the chair recorded \"the nays have it\"). After the failed motion the transcript records the original sheriff submission \"just moves forward as presented.\" The transcript does not provide a roll‑call tally by name for that failed motion; the motion is recorded in the minutes as failed and the sheriff’s original recommended package was to proceed according to the clerk’s summary of the discussion.

Equipment requests: the sheriff also requested funding to replace tasers (transcript text records a figure of $4,500,868 to replace 36 tasers; that number appears in the staff presentation transcript and will require verification from the county budget office because it appears large relative to typical unit costs). The sheriff’s staffing requests also included timing adjustments that produced $49,029 in savings by moving four start dates from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31.

What happens next: county staff and the commissioners noted differences in philosophy about authorizing recurring FTEs and emphasized that the county had set budget parameters that the sheriff had been asked to follow. Because the transcription records that the sheriff’s recommended package \"moves forward as presented,\" staff will implement the FTE authorizations as laid out in the recommended budget documents unless the commissioners later amend them in the May work session or at budget adoption.

Ending: commissioners requested that staff ensure the documentation of FTE counts and timing be corrected in budget tables and that savings/timing changes be tracked precisely in the May cleanup session before the May 13 budget vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/28/2014 CSMC Budget Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","County commissioners spent substantial time on April 28 reviewing the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office staffing requests, FTE corrections and equipment needs as part of the FY2015 budget work session.","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},6377485,"St. Mary’s County schools report $5.8M–$6.5M health‑care shortfall; three fix options presented to commissioners",1503,3288000,4791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33&start=3288&end=4791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33/thumbnail_3288000.jpg","/articles/6377485/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-schools-report-58M65M-healthcare-shortfall-three-fix-options-presented-to-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377485-be117f4ec488213868f63062911807fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775312709&Signature=PwwULpHj7cr1mkSnWUMtr~2sr9LUIA~M75H0ZAUSJGSi04SfclW92SBlJzs-kcM6Keok~mwLzvfb5c4vTjG4ob-fyVjCc~JQj5LDWBty68cKPjvDL4hVQ78HeiTglcAnaDfGVEZqUWpniIUMNpTvBiLzTyLtlYrgwRr2eN6ohwQXYDw1ob4C4W-WajNKQ56etdhv2jHCNe2ejY2NwqFphsmGa7eP9HhOoc9CZJODmXTpDYv7yjDnZC5f2J66zWLruj3o4wUv8w97uTOHJnmvAlVl489DmS5oIjg6grdBtgip4CiCY112ye0aYm1VsMS4ftMaXQZ2QYxuDHucvNIpGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Doctor Martirano told the Board of County Commissioners on April 28 that the school system faces an estimated $5.8 million to $6.5 million shortfall in fiscal 2014 health‑care costs and outlined three options for closing the gap.

Martirano and the school system's newly hired assistant superintendent for fiscal services and human resources, Tammy McCourt, said higher-than-expected prescription costs, more employees enrolled in plans and several very large individual claims drove the shortfall. \"Healthcare is the real issue and I’ve been saying that for years,\" Martirano said, citing a run of unusually high brand‑drug usage and catastrophic claims.

The school system’s finance presentation, delivered by McCourt, estimated that prescription fills and brand‑drug usage had increased materially and that projected health claims for the remainder of the year made exact final totals uncertain. McCourt described an estimated shortfall “in the range of 5.8 to $6,500,000” and said two months of claims were still outstanding at the time of the presentation.

Why it matters: the schools must pay salaries, utilities and transportation regardless of budget gaps, and the county and school system staffs said a solution is needed quickly to protect cash flow and avoid disrupting operations. McCourt warned that fully exhausting reserves would leave the district with little cushion for FY2015.

Options presented: the superintendent and finance staff gave the commissioners three alternatives:
- Option 1: Use 100% of the school system’s health‑care reserve (listed in materials as $1,000,000), use 100% of the unassigned fund balance (materials listed $2,000,000), and apply $2.3–$3.0 million of immediate internal savings from spending freezes and other cuts. This option would eliminate the district’s fund balance cushion and health reserve for FY2015.
- Option 2: Use 100% of the health reserve, use 50% of the unassigned fund balance (approximately $1,000,000), apply $2.3–$3.0 million in internal savings and request the remaining $1.0–$1.7 million from the county by June 15 as a loan or supplemental appropriation; also request the county’s June distribution be advanced to May 15.
- Option 3: Use none of the health reserve, apply $2.3–$3.0 million in internal savings, and request $3.0–$3.7 million from the county by June 15 in the form of a loan or supplemental appropriation; request the June county distribution be advanced to May 15. This option preserves the district’s health reserve and fund balance but requires larger county assistance.

School staff also proposed budget adjustments for FY2015 if county support is granted: increasing budgeted health care funding by roughly $6.5 million above the recommended FY2015 level, returning to a modified retrospective health structure with CareFirst (the district’s insurer), raising employee premium rates, and dedicating future refunds and savings to re‑establish a health reserve. McCourt said the district planned to reconvene its health care committee to examine co‑pays, prescription plan design and other cost controls and that negotiation with employee associations will be required to implement some plan changes.

County reaction and next steps: Commissioners pressed for specific details about the $2.3–$3.0 million of internal savings the district said it could produce and for documentation of the health‑care provider’s cost projections. Commissioner Cynthia L. Jones and others asked for a clear timeline for negotiations with the unions and for a plan to protect classroom positions. The board directed county and school staff to meet, exchange detailed backup, and return with firm numbers and recommendations so the commissioners can decide whether to provide an early distribution, a loan, or a supplemental appropriation.

The school board presented the three options for discussion only; no county appropriation or loan was approved at the April 28 meeting. The school system asked the county to consider advancing the June distribution to May 15 and to be prepared to consider a loan or supplemental appropriation if the parties cannot close the gap with internal savings and reserves.

Ending: County and school staffs agreed to meet rapidly, provide detailed line‑item backup and projections, and return to the commissioners before the county’s May 13 adoption of the fiscal 2015 budget so elected officials can consider whether and how to assist the school system.","Superintendent and school finance staff told the Board of County Commissioners that the school system faces an estimated $5.8 million to $6.5 million shortfall in fiscal 2014 health‑care costs and presented three options that range from using reserves to requesting a county loan or supplemental appropriation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377475,"Votes at a glance — St. Mary’s County April 28, 2014 budget work session",2187,377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33&start=377&end=2564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139005-67bcbce9d8e9dfdda7a76aa4e931da33/thumbnail_377000.jpg","/articles/6377475/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-St-Marys-County-April-28-2014-budget-work-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377475-df7949452414443ec874d03337c130b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775312709&Signature=LYzx3D8Uwm-tvm2qkF0CSGxV6cFAmxCd47-jxd4vQHm79cEakDNiZPuyGhD616udVZ-wif~gluRhBzpYQYARGeOKUOFvVM2-OesCey0oeIc~dC4mMF1GZQH8dLvaozPR~xZaVXYqxA92DR00zycb-bXDrMuMWmJVoBqPiZmuN2w78yQzxV~nfjjQ~ewwEfBveqMxeddlH3dMydwoYE1Cj4Q5fnijIBs-Sx5wxaC9JGfBikYJ6wXGhO0pAhWBmWqOf26hNojN4knw-S9I3f9i7UQ5v8qP-iD3Eqr09JpilIrnQ4oneJXFU~9U3aprGaOOpw9iGS3HyvV95g7PoCRS2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This \"Votes at a glance\" summary lists recorded motions and outcomes from the Board of County Commissioners’ April 28, 2014 budget work session as captured in the meeting transcript.

- Flip agenda: Commissioners voted to flip the published agenda so local initiatives were taken before the Board of Education presentation. The transcript records the motion and the chair’s declaration that the majority supported flipping the agenda; one commissioner asked to be recorded as a no vote. Outcome: motion passed (majority).

- Debt capacity and affordability study: Commissioners discussed and agreed to include $30,000 to fund a debt capacity and affordability study covering the county and Metcom. Outcome: passed by voice vote.

- Courthouse naming plaque: The circuit court requested $25,000 to fund a plaque/sign associated with a courthouse naming. Commissioners split on the item; the transcript records vocal opposition by at least one commissioner and other votes in favor. Outcome: approved to be moved to building services for implementation (vote split as recorded in discussion; no roll‑call tally presented in transcript).

- Sheriff staffing motion: A commissioner moved to approve a limited subset of sheriff positions (one patrol deputy, one detective, classification specialist full‑time, background investigator full‑time) and to decline other proposed positions. After discussion the motion failed (chair said \"the nays have it\"). The transcript then records that the sheriff’s originally presented staffing package \"moves forward as presented\" in staff summary; final budgetary effect to be reflected in May cleanup.

- NextGen radio / mutual aid pager expansion: Commissioners reviewed a request for $325,253 to expand mutual aid/pager coverage (Valley Lee, Bethune, Ridge) and discussed that certain tower installations remained pending FCC approval (Bethune and Valley Lee). The transcript records support for moving that funding forward pending permitting/FCC approvals.

- Other recorded items: reduction of the unemployment budget by $100,000; recognition of refunding savings and a proposed transfer of one‑time savings to PAYGo capital funding; adjustments related to House Bill 1390 that affected elected official compensation (documented as budgetary impacts). These items were treated as budget schedule adjustments rather than standalone motions in the transcript.

Where the transcript did not provide a roll‑call, this summary reports outcomes as recorded by the chair and staff. For several items the meeting recorded the outcome by voice vote or consensus rather than a roll‑call tally. Final formal appropriations and any loan or supplemental appropriation remained subject to the May 13 budget adoption.

Ending: commissioners directed staff to correct documentation and bring final line‑item backup to the May 5 cleanup session so all items can be finalized before the May 13 budget adoption.","Summary of recorded motions and outcomes during the April 28 budget work session, including agenda flip, debt capacity study funding, courthouse naming plaque, and the sheriff staffing motion.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners debate sheriff’s proposed FTEs; motion to pick some positions fails, sheriff’s full recommendation moves forward

St. Mary’s County schools report $5.8M–$6.5M health‑care shortfall; three fix options presented to commissioners

Votes at a glance — St. Mary’s County April 28, 2014 budget work session