[{"_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",6377694,"mediaKeyId","2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f","parentId",2138833,"title","Board of Education requests $6.4M recurring increase; commissioners raise questions about enrollment and state funding mechanics","audioSeconds",1182,"startMs",4613000,"endMs",5795000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f&start=4613&end=5795","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f/thumbnail_4613000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377694/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-of-Education-requests-64M-recurring-increase-commissioners-raise-questions-about-enrollment-and-state-funding-mechanics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377694-27e8689424dfe8ce4e924f438f13a0ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763446&Signature=IX-~4fufORqJQhGmcA-X~rsrM9X6qJ1WjGVyGh1wFdN4ts6zRkYAAg4SPlXsG5V-yE~8MeMEPsmnUUlkSn7TOC~8iFIVul-08pnqhamc4KQgm6gIgy3tt8xYXrwTVBpMrH6TcvrqH3QP-psES3F9SA68rKAkpKhL2~3OnwarvdiTz0ftJV5axcOJJkVFiAKyzeOBed12jccP9yVxGAcmc~hm-OaTHuWVmY-l2gggCTYmIiNnUzRhZsEHCOUl4-pABJr7HkXJp3nc4lOoS6pL~rrjWlHs0Fs~InXcJOegnLOWZHOcYoNvoZCAqnKk09lOfzrsziVSHUvdyndzSHWpAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-22T18:18:47.487Z","article","St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) Superintendent Paul Smith asked the Board of County Commissioners for an additional $6.4 million in recurring local funds to cover negotiated agreements (a merit step and a 1.75% salary-scale adjustment) and nearly $2 million in nonrecurring needs. The board discussed enrollment declines, state holding-harmless proposals and federal stimulus money as they reviewed the request.

Smith told commissioners the request covers year-two costs of a four-year negotiated agreement and incremental healthcare and operational increases. He said there are no new positions or programs in the request; the funds would honor negotiated pay steps and scale adjustments to retain staff amid pandemic stress on students and staff.

Commissioners pressed for details about enrollment declines used in state maintenance-of-effort (MOE) calculations; staff told the board the package used a 783-student decline for pupil-allocation calculation in materials presented. Commissioners also raised the Budget Reconciliation and Finance Act (BRFAA) pending in Annapolis and its possible effect: staff explained that some state proposals would “hold harmless” school systems this year but could carry forward higher funding levels into subsequent years if enrollment rebounded, which could create larger local obligations later.

Board and county staff also discussed how federal ESSER funds (COVID-relief education dollars) and anticipated summer-program funding could cover nonrecurring needs such as summer instruction and technology. Smith said the district received significant federal ESSER funds and expects to run expanded summer programming paid from those sources; he asked commissioners to consider local recurring support for negotiated pay that federal one-time dollars cannot cover.

Commissioners asked staff for further detail on fund-balance projections, health-care reserve assumptions and what a maintenance-of-effort (flat-funding) scenario would imply for the district’s staffing and programs. No decision was made; staff and commissioners agreed to continue monitoring BRFAA developments in Annapolis, federal ESSER guidance, and to refine budget scenarios in subsequent work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/2/2021 CSMC Budget Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Paul Smith presented the school system’s FY2022 request for $6.4 million in recurring operating funds (negotiated agreements) plus nearly $2 million in nonrecurring needs; commissioners discussed uncertainty from enrollment shifts, BRFAA state proposals and federal ESSER funding.","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},6377700,"Commissioners approve $215,816 recordation-tax reimbursement to volunteer fire and rescue departments",461,3783000,4244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f&start=3783&end=4244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f/thumbnail_3783000.jpg","/articles/6377700/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-215816-recordation-tax-reimbursement-to-volunteer-fire-and-rescue-departments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377700-e10c6d7f556566ac5880cd7e65102158/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763446&Signature=IzfOztB-BRYdKnQVloYZWmNjlx38k7Ws86ht2GvXKr2W9zyhxzXTi4Fmtg5LkUrn2b-4r31bI0tZb07kcIe~kNzrbhwgSFFKM162dWM8TnkkscRD0Ji4tcXeFpw96f6GaN0lndxiQu1ehOJcHeixQ9lJBL0OmoUacjQmkS8lApvLd~V3WDStGyV-VyQSo0PrQxRXGdSH8Ul5ccNwG1qab0rihSg2VOOLB9Pa3cjYYPWSTYd2uE8hBVwYXYQwM1detVIGT3tC1uykr8BDU4BxuoazuCc0nNk6Y2x-ofdJ8FEZrB6gYYPEoh7DMDWdp-wpeCpqRluH0Dp1lar31aN~CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary's County commissioners voted unanimously on March 2 to reimburse $215,816 in recordation taxes previously paid by local volunteer fire and rescue departments.

County staff presented a ledger compiled with the deputy clerk of the court showing recordation-tax amounts submitted by multiple volunteer departments going back to 2001, totaling $215,816. The motion — to reimburse those departments the amounts listed on the ledger — was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the county can prevent similar charges going forward through ordinance amendment or whether state law changes are required. Legal staff and county administration said they will review the recordation-tax ordinance and consult with the county's legislative delegation as needed, and staff committed to return with recommended ordinance changes if local action is possible.

Implementation steps: finance will process the reimbursements and mailing; staff will prepare a cover letter documenting the commissioners’ vote and the date for departmental records. The board also directed staff to investigate whether state legislative change is necessary to change how the recordation tax applies to volunteer-department loans and to report back to the board.","The board voted unanimously to reimburse $215,816 in recordation taxes to multiple volunteer fire and rescue departments for historic payments; staff will draft checks and review whether future ordinance changes are required to prevent future charges.",{"_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},6377705,"Commissioners seek more data before deciding on proposed veterans disability property-tax credits",1118,2465000,3583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f&start=2465&end=3583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","/articles/6377705/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-seek-more-data-before-deciding-on-proposed-veterans-disability-property-tax-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377705-ad468051464d9e022090a6bf3708f184/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763446&Signature=nguOqLHMUKSk8PEbwTgFOgtSaals6FftmOWDOoDo60yI4euQPXW8g5dX0lDNfaVkAFLUCSlurIuWaeqn8di~hbNpSRwhBlb5sz69XuLh07Itq-SXmLIcgw1QmQe5ZlJsl0-xO84eRc0kfmi0FytZlHfvM55kAC0EmyN1a-yhZUJPznocwmjfWsf093A4g5aNpDBzZK~wqYKCygaIAvYZbd~ZWfm0sLOmm9isBWs0XPcrXmg2KRiXplJbXt6HVjmVTMw1p4TUBJikJEGwyDhV0JXBepaN8qtDqbb8nSnFyM2I5Ek6TnmTuYCVtOhkjrdGQk4Vmt-CsE318dkWLUIeSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary's County staff returned to commissioners with a draft ordinance and an initial fiscal estimate for a proposed veterans disability property-tax credit; commissioners asked staff to provide more detailed, phased cost estimates and information on likely eligibility before deciding.

Neil (county staff) presented a package that included the Anne Arundel County ordinance used as a model and an initial estimate that staff said could range from about $1.5 million to $1.8 million under assumptions the county used. Staff noted the new state enabling statute (Article 9-265) sets eligibility criteria (including gross-income caps and VA disability ratings) that drove the modeling and that Anne Arundel was, at the time, the only county to adopt the new credit.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical implementation questions: how many veterans in the county fall within each disability-rating band; whether the statutory 50 percent credit (for certain rating bands) is adjustable at the county level; and the $100,000 adjusted-gross-income (AGI) ceiling contained in the enabling statute. Legal staff said they would check whether counties may add eligibility limits or adjust AGI thresholds beyond the statute’s baseline. Commissioners also asked whether the treasurer’s office would need additional staffing to administer a new credit; staff estimated one fully loaded additional employee could cost about $70,000.

Staff emphasized two data limitations: available federal VA disability counts by rating bands do not provide an easy income breakdown or a precise homeownership count (that is, how many veterans in each band actually own real property and would apply). Commissioners asked staff to run a more conservative (phased) scenario — for example, limiting the credit or reducing the percentage for higher-rating bands — and to analyze the AGI cap’s impact (for example, lowering the cap from $100,000) and the likely number of veteran homeowners who would apply.

No direction to adopt the credit was given; commissioners asked staff to return with refined numbers and additional research, including consultation with state and federal veteran-office contacts. Action on the measure will await that follow-up and any required ordinance drafting or legal adjustments.","Staff presented draft ordinance language and an initial fiscal estimate for a new veterans disability property-tax credit; commissioners asked for more granular data, income filtering, and phased options before taking action.",{"_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},6377710,"Commissioners approve updated Emergency Communications Center CIP sheet; project contingency reduced",862,1552000,2414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f&start=1552&end=2414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f/thumbnail_1552000.jpg","/articles/6377710/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-updated-Emergency-Communications-Center-CIP-sheet-project-contingency-reduced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377710-264d2dfbd38709434b2bf7b51d910c00/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763446&Signature=SNFsnfPi7JNTI1dyZ8~U-RDHoinwUsTeQTxrwF8W6LQKcXQe9sgULf87ORoPpS3tdY7fo59-I3ZXBCyQ5A1PYVSrX8NL62j8UNlZTP4sNZnVqOPxRcd22s0NK0J8iJExMOx-ADmhu48FVUu9Kjb41tXmlfLre8JRzO0q2wA9S4e7HIABgOFn4~dHGqcBcJuYDRMlCg3FQ6CPYiAvTryHB6AAeOzR-tgyTjXmwHM~reuYszxfQU004TGe4Ly536Dc7cI3qnQvUhnouUY9ttOK2GrMmN~aXYMFNjO3oXDr5LVbqz8Yuw6KDawgRgMlL6-WAl0mCffbFFHFVWhWuhGCTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary's County commissioners approved an updated capital-improvement project (CIP) sheet for the Emergency Communications Center expansion and agreed to forward the revised CIP entry to the Planning Commission.

Finance staff and project presenters told commissioners the revised CIP reflects a reduced contingency (now 5 percent) and a lower overall project estimate — a reduction of $417,450 from the earlier version. Project staff said they adjusted square footage and unit cost estimates after consulting District 4 and scanning realistic unit prices for the scope of work.

Steve Walker and John Dedrick (Emergency Management/communications) described building-program needs: a larger emergency operations center (EOC), adjacent office and training space for communications personnel, and secure public entry and reception. Staff said current operations are cramped, with some employees sharing offices and limited meeting/training space. Presenters discussed configuration alternatives — building out to the roadway, adding a wing or going up — and said options will be developed by the architectural and engineering (A&E) firm during design.

Staff noted an available nearby building (Old Garvey) that could serve as swing space during construction. The project’s next steps include completing A&E design options and presenting them before funding begins in 2023; staff told commissioners the project is not scheduled for 2022 funding and there is time to refine design and cost.

Commissioners signaled unanimous support to move the amended CIP sheet forward; staff will present the updated CIP to the planning commission on Monday and include the change in the final draft CIP budget book.","St. Mary's County amended the capital-improvement project (CIP) entry for the Emergency Communications Center (ECC), adopting staff revisions including a lower contingency and revised unit costs; staff will take the amended CIP sheet to the planning commission.",{"_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},6377713,"St. Mary's County to study extending retiree health vesting for elected officials; military-service credit set aside for later analysis",1555,135000,1690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f&start=135&end=1690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138833-1cb7abd607d69013242682985789147f/thumbnail_135000.jpg","/articles/6377713/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-to-study-extending-retiree-health-vesting-for-elected-officials-military-service-credit-set-aside-for-later-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377713-5943d2436126ac4eb7232528ee6bb897/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763446&Signature=R6tnYqWTzT0DOZHvqrljWB9R4Aw3MFp--WsQeCWNAOzQXKXRPNjstn4krIP96fb0EHgRfnKPFSD8Q9Vpa7-XHXXK6QYh-w9eKaVPjVanA82FV2Z88c0hiicKF65uLG8lXcGpsfXKatrFrecfBT2eNyvrgiQ-rcRv1pH29hj9-yvNhdTQntgSf~6KZ3wd9J3fSPUBSAdtVW8O1I8HkUrRRrlekJYP7qHWtzjtpWYQk9S0NkTi381IWRqj-mVvZdPIyL1uz7-2jA41dWFgWHmsK9ZjZQ9AlJuLuSMGTTSOHJxdiidClF3Y1Saj2FN0HIFbuWbnmdhmyJXsqVPJ-NS4LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners asked staff to produce more detailed cost estimates before deciding whether to extend retiree health vesting for St. Mary's County elected officials and whether that extension should apply to prior officeholders.

At a March 2 budget work session, staff told the commission they had hired Bolton to prepare a fiscal note that will analyze extending the benefit to the 11 elected positions the county identified and to provide options on retroactivity and eligibility. Katherine, a county staff member, said Bolton will deliver analysis to the commissioners next week.

The request before the commissioners included two distinct questions: (1) extend the retiree health vesting schedule to all 11 local elected positions; and (2) whether to count up to five years of military service in vesting for retiree health. Commissioners agreed not to conflate the two. Several commissioners said the military-service question needs more time and a separate analysis because state retirement rules already treat military service differently for pensions.

Commissioners also discussed whether any change should be retroactive to prior elected officials who are still living. One commissioner said prior officeholders who are alive should be considered for inclusion; other commissioners pressed for options showing the fiscal impact of retroactivity and the time horizon such retroactivity would affect.

Staff and commissioners discussed how the proposed subsidy schedule for elected officials compares with county employees’ current subsidies. County staff presented a chart showing proposed elected-official subsidies such as a 75/25 split after two terms and an 80/20 split after three terms, which several commissioners described as comparatively generous versus typical county-employee vesting that phases in more slowly.

Because the commission requested additional details, the prior motion on the matter was left tabled pending receipt of Bolton’s fiscal analysis and further information staff will gather in a state benefits administrator call planned the same afternoon. Commissioners asked staff to include cost scenarios showing (a) the impact of making changes going forward only and (b) the impact if the county applied retroactivity to living former officeholders.

Next steps: staff will return with Bolton’s fiscal note and additional information about the state retirement rules and the cost and scope of retroactive inclusion. No formal change to policy or benefits was adopted at the March 2 session.","County commissioners asked staff for a fiscal analysis on widening retiree health vesting to all local elected offices and whether prior officeholders should be made eligible; the question of counting military service toward health vesting was separated for a later, deeper review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of Education requests $6.4M recurring increase; commissioners raise questions about enrollment and state funding mechanics

Commissioners approve $215,816 recordation-tax reimbursement to volunteer fire and rescue departments

Commissioners seek more data before deciding on proposed veterans disability property-tax credits

Commissioners approve updated Emergency Communications Center CIP sheet; project contingency reduced

St. Mary's County to study extending retiree health vesting for elected officials; military-service credit set aside for later analysis