[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",6361903,"mediaKeyId","2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6","parentId",2169238,"title","Board reviews FY2016 operating request and CIP; staff requests $70,000 subsidy for Wicomico Shores Golf Course","audioSeconds",773,"startMs",1126000,"endMs",1899000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6&start=1126&end=1899","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361903/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-reviews-FY2016-operating-request-and-CIP-staff-requests-70000-subsidy-for-Wicomico-Shores-Golf-Course","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361903-7b8d4c9354216f7f85c19ae97684558b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220581&Signature=VAwKF2wMKhqLR2PizpAhmDMh7f4Fn21Hz5RsvTNV6oQ09qMiNXffNP0Fc0EidtfDrIfzSf2fxGOpzDX3ynLO3Gqdm-zgkm6YVDE4FHfydx6lv4R~oz6cn15wWJmEf5thRcGgfLoIz4FJb9aHurKucXZmpUnsOLAR0ckhDFwqJRc-xddY~9RZoGwL3swS372jiuJQxPu2n8zagu8PWbBgeQ-wq05gEfTOXZeJ8mrDl81y78VfVymhRKN1TcNeZZccuNce2VWBeYEyLgWrIcNSmxS912lahujoMX3PJJoXVbBFmgiznwku8Os1IlWpfSOwrbr6SM2zP4bFoKwhhfZduA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-30T18:51:38Z","article","Staff from the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks presented the department’s FY2016 operating and capital budget submissions to the advisory board on Feb. 5, describing flat revenue expectations, several targeted increases and a requested $70,000 subsidy for Wicomico Shores Golf Course.

Why it matters: budget submissions shape what the department may be able to operate and maintain in the coming fiscal year; the Wicomico Shores subsidy request signals the golf course enterprise fund no longer covers deficits and will need county support if rounds and revenues do not recover.

Key operating and one-time requests

Department staff told the board they would submit two separate FY2016 requests: an operating (departmental) submission and a capital improvement program (CIP) submission. Staff characterized the FY2016 environment as \"revenues are flat, no new initiatives, no new full time positions\" and highlighted several line items:

- Wicomico Shores Golf Course subsidy: staff proposed a $70,000 subsidy from the general fund and a $28,000 drawdown from the enterprise fund to address historic deficits at the course.

- Recreation activity fund: an additional $74,000 requested for program operating costs and new school-age center programs.

- Museums division: $25,030 additional operating request and a separate $18,452 in hourly assistance and vehicle replacement financing noted for museum locations.

- Parks equipment and minimum wage: $7,860 in equipment requests, and $14,261 to cover minimum-wage increases (Maryland schedule starting Jan. 1 raised to $8.00, with phased increases to $10.10 by July 1, 2018) that affect hourly staff and program costs.

Board discussion of Wicomico Shores

Board members questioned the sustainability of subsidizing Wicomico Shores. A member noted prior self-funding status and asked about a plan to increase rounds and revenues; staff said rounds have decreased from about 36,000–35,000 per year at peak to roughly 28,000–30,000 in recent years, and the department has increased fees by $1 for greens fees and $25 across some season-pass categories. Staff said they will continue marketing specials, leagues and advertising to attract daily-fee players and maintain restaurant/banquet operations, which are generally covering costs.

Capital requests and uncertainties

The CIP summary included a series of projects for FY2016–2020: Nicollet Park entrance, 3 Notch Trail phases, Myrtle Point master planning and A&E, playground surfacing replacements, athletic-field lighting, and the Lancaster Park additional construction funding (the engineer's new estimate added about $1.1 million). Staff said some projects were pushed from FY2015 and that grant and state Program Open Space funding levels could change year to year.

Procedural note

Staff said the departmental operating submission was due the next day and the CIP submittal schedule is moving forward; the advisory board did not vote to approve the budget (staff was presenting requests to be transmitted to finance and the commissioners), but members discussed priorities and expressed concern about ongoing subsidies to enterprise operations.

Ending

Staff will finalize and submit the operating and CIP requests to county finance per schedule; the board will be asked to review final materials and the commissioners will make funding decisions through the county budgeting process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/5/2015 Recreation and Parks Board","oneSentenceSummary","Department staff outlined FY2016 operating and capital budget requests, citing flat revenues, a minimum-wage-driven cost increase, program expansions and a proposed $70,000 county subsidy to cover Wicomico Shores Golf Course operating shortfalls.","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},6361908,"Advisory board backs rewritten park rules banning fireworks and clarifying lighting controls",440,708000,1148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6&start=708&end=1148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6/thumbnail_708000.jpg","/articles/6361908/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Advisory-board-backs-rewritten-park-rules-banning-fireworks-and-clarifying-lighting-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361908-08b04b3735c2e610fde8b1406d3c966b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220581&Signature=SiLmAU1ZjYWP5JoIaYh12VrGYMmUDebtn3Jt4oTe~OXnCx6IpV~ts7S5wGGf8f2R6Lvmv-BkRXLfphXq78fVsUfjyDuJJnfHcCM~kcfwzAa6yOQtXQlBpfy8uib9N6uVXi0wIDKUk1p5L0984GRULL650Arl-sGlAcPCa-ANUWriW4tYbPDCKTn4WeSOBq27Ls1oyciA7PgxAH3H1pb73xHmQm4UjC38CXS6g28WOUWjvgg5Ck3s5Hw1RVqq8GfD0DS8xdrHQiOA5QvpXWlCbu42uaBCafLVh34tBCvYaTenrzaKsoARqxarZ4uLBgNxME0UzamJMR3g4c8il9~hAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks advisory board reviewed proposed revisions to the park policy on Feb. 5 and recommended the changes to county decision-makers, including a new explicit prohibition on fireworks in county parks and clarified language about automatic field lighting.

Why it matters: the changes give park staff a written policy to reference when addressing unsafe or unauthorized uses of park property and clarify existing lighting controls so users and enforcers understand when lights may operate.

Policy changes and board action

Tyrone Harris, Parks Division staff, explained the edits and read the revised fireworks language into the record. \"It is unlawful for any person, firm, or cooperation to engage in the retail sale of or to sell, possess, use, transfer, discharge, or explode any fireworks of any kind within county parks,\" he said. Harris and other staff also proposed editing the lighting section to make clear that lights come on at sunset but require a manual activation and will automatically shut off at 11 p.m.

After discussion about whether the language reflected actual practice, a board member moved to close nominations and another moved to recommend approval of the policy changes to county commissioners; the motion passed by voice vote and the board recorded the decision as unanimous. The board chair confirmed staff would incorporate the revisions into the printed policy manual; staff said the revised page number will be 28 in the new packet.

Operational context

Board members said the fireworks prohibition is primarily about safety and giving staff a clear policy to cite when addressing incidents. Staff noted the provision is intended as an enforcement tool; Harris said the policy provides supporting documentation for staff interactions with park users.

Ending

Board members asked staff to include the revised language in the next packet for commissioners’ consideration; staff said the board’s recommendation and the text would be forwarded as part of the policy review process.","The St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks advisory board recommended that the county adopt revised park policies that clarify automatic lighting controls and make fireworks and explosives unlawful in county parks.",{"_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},6361913,"Parks Division reviews completed projects, upcoming capital work and trail construction start",3142,290000,3432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6&start=290&end=3432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169238-900759c97cfdf5a61c6fb315fa8b41b6/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6361913/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Parks-Division-reviews-completed-projects-upcoming-capital-work-and-trail-construction-start","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361913-f3f75c7c9116d913314569041f4fc21d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220581&Signature=gJ7JN416aw9cDMPKLrld1Qvw7zqhuWfCY4ylqE805M~LOa6ygTmYvekhGiUUSEPSsmVzVbSV8yLBdnY2GZ0XvwbZWzXewEwI1Xm2wmXSIitd~QfFeppZpL5L4WpaLSf3VoHL3SCL7pfd0yflmT2S1x2dNMU5ZDn5D2s4nHHeHMJ~LAKzZO3BFygYYUravSxRry8MbrSD9gmnf7I1lAH0QGxDE~23feyUKho2DNvYUvJpMzd8tG~mF3WgaG5TWOGW48XdZFcO3uZHtYql~-dVJdpDOtGEGjCEpyMioCAkOV0-zSadFyHuZZ6IQB~ejBmhlCC-B8YxiRC8J~d2lKmKxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Geithner, Parks Division manager, told the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks advisory board on Feb. 5 that crews finished several park projects in 2014 and staff expect construction to start this month on a major trail segment.

The report said Piney Point Landing pier replacement was completed in November 2014 and three tennis courts were renovated at Jarvisville Park, Chancellor's Run Regional Park and 5th District Park. \"We accomplished getting the Piney Point Landing Pier replaced last fall,\" Geithner said. He also described new sidewalks and exterior landscaping at the Lancaster Park interpretive center and a new restroom building at Wicomico Shores Landing.

Why it matters: the Division is balancing routine maintenance and season-specific work with several large capital projects that will take multiple years to design and build. Those projects affect park access, fields available for youth sports and waterfront amenities across the county.

Most important developments and near-term milestones

- 3 Notch Trail phase 6: staff said construction contracts were awarded and a notice to proceed is expected in February, weather permitting. Great Mills Trading Post was named the contractor and CSBI will provide construction management. Geithner said the county has notified adjacent property owners and anticipates a spring groundbreaking.

- Charlotte Hall athletic fields (5th District Park): the board heard the project is about 99 percent complete. Maryland Department of the Environment inspected and approved conversion of stormwater systems and staff expect the fields to be available in early May, with a ribbon-cutting likely in late April.

- Lancaster Park expansion: engineering bids came in higher than the earlier estimate; an additional $1.1 million was identified in the engineering firm's estimate to cover two multipurpose fields and about 125 parking spaces. The solicitation for construction was canceled pending additional CIP funding.

Other capital items described in staff materials include master planning and A&E for Myrtle Point Park, parking and restroom improvements at Elms Beach, $100,000-per-year renovation work planned for the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in FY16–17, and master planning for the recently acquired Shannon Farm property (about 212 acres) with a placeholder of $2.1 million in later years for build-out contingent on planning outcomes and funding.

Operations and routine maintenance

Geithner summarized winter preparations (snow and ice removal), expanded maintenance responsibilities at the Lexington Park Tulagi park-and-ride (now including tree work), and recent in-house repairs at Margaret Brent gym and the gymnastics center. He noted ongoing challenges maintaining Nicollet Skate Park, which has struggled to break even financially; staff reported January attendance of nine youth and 15 adults.

Fields and recreation programming

Staff described a newly renovated multipurpose field south of the naval base for soccer and lacrosse practices to relieve field-space shortages. The board discussed priorities for athletic-field lighting projects and the possibility of reordering lighting schedules to serve higher-use fields sooner; staff said any change would depend on commissioners’ funding decisions and requests from user groups.

Staff also provided a list of smaller renovation items intended to maintain ADA access and replace failing infrastructure (walkways, fencing and parking overlays) and said some projects originally planned for FY15 were pushed into future years when funds were reallocated.

Ending

Geithner asked board members to review the CIP summaries and stated staff will update project estimates as engineering studies and bids come back. The board will consider those updated figures when the county’s FY2016 capital budget is prepared and submitted.","St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks staff reviewed completed site work from 2014, ongoing maintenance challenges and a slate of capital projects including the imminent start of 3 Notch Trail phase 6 and revised engineer estimates for Lancaster Park expansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews FY2016 operating request and CIP; staff requests $70,000 subsidy for Wicomico Shores Golf Course

Advisory board backs rewritten park rules banning fireworks and clarifying lighting controls

Parks Division reviews completed projects, upcoming capital work and trail construction start