[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6082371,"mediaKeyId","2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123","parentId",2938633,"title","County cadet program policy under review after move to tech center; board raises access questions for nonpublic students","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",713444,"endMs",780800,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123&start=713&end=780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123/thumbnail_713444.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6082371/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-cadet-program-policy-under-review-after-move-to-tech-center-board-raises-access-questions-for-nonpublic-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082371-f2eae49cf80867edde4063ab4b2ea83c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185402&Signature=O~6CpWt1pgGT63mcjdp0K~fM7vQ8XhAyWZVTsRB1lTsZmOXV12s30CRLLuQwAUOMFWskDcpUDYXYXOyFA647QFf5kuo0CxD4wdm5QAfKbIOOYD6F3DOUXUm45NKE08e7VO8Nmp0u8Y~chX3KQc~-tesBWzK86oZymrDy~XBBhnjy7bjfjAjLZee1QTKAE7I-pTbpZrbahz8ji~Tev3yfSqcKINEQx6R2ONKaFHEL2wCINfZVu1gHHPFaS6DnPMJ4~82H9Ccmjxu~UXySLsDOSOKaFUZRswO5jAu9-PY1eItfMmVL4AYZXf6ZyBQNUj4uYOhHV-XmBZCYyB5qfS9HBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-04-10T01:01:36.237Z","article","Board members on April 9 opened discussion of a cadet program policy that changed when the program moved from Hollywood back to the tech center. The concern: a recent policy change appears to bar nonpublic-school students from enrolling.

A board member said the intention when the program moved was to prevent outside adult students from taking classes on campus. However, the speaker said the policy language may have been altered in a way that also prevents private-school and home-school students from enrolling. The member requested more information and conversations with the school board to determine the official position and whether private- or home-schooled students can be accommodated.

No action was taken at the April 9 meeting; the item was placed on the board's future discussion list so staff can seek clarification from the school system.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/9/25 Emergency Services Board","oneSentenceSummary","Board members asked to gather information from the school board about whether private- and home-schooled students can enroll in the county cadet program after a policy change tied to the program's move back to the tech center.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":42,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6082375,"Emergency services items in St. Mary's County FY26 recommended budget include four paramedic FTEs and communications equipment",626115,693630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123&start=626&end=693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123/thumbnail_626115.jpg","/articles/6082375/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Emergency-services-items-in-St-Marys-County-FY26-recommended-budget-include-four-paramedic-FTEs-and-communications-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082375-2f5a7d10c188487280a26a04c06820fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185402&Signature=LVvGf29iZfxIadFIGx44abZLU~GXIJfJpLBhl73UtFZtgTQld9z~T1Gh~VZFI79KDGuu1L0HAts6r49knYaB9h13088Vme3UXFbjtWFsW2pFihQ6seO1~2OmOrGjrw0zrJjxg7TcdE-pdIfllgz0ETRBDrFlejOEWHBvRENsSoYmbHzzeVovucmcfgRHpfiy3s2T6KDoFX9~efDk5F5Ffq5ApjHqOar4dJGrAPOPIxWGMoL7SSvpQkrL6zc6DVKQkTvRJ94mqs2yThosfaP0tjq25NEWrmrZEVLqdC5qhbG~ndKmmUJhy981Z0HrwHpfpMrBcQWa7crtfnt-M~NX5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emergency Services Board was briefed April 9 on FY26 recommended budget items pertaining to county emergency services. Jennifer Utz said the recommended budget includes four full-time equivalent paramedic positions, down from an original request for eight, and a package of communications equipment to modernize the fleet.

Utz listed equipment included in the recommended FY26 budget: 168 replacement XL 400 portable radios to complete the fire fleet; 45 new pagers (20 for Bay District, 20 for Second District and five for Seventh District); and four additional XL 400 portable radios — one for Mechanicsville for a UTV and three for Bay District apparatus to meet apparatus radio standards that were omitted from an earlier count.

The board heard the items are part of the recommended budget going to the April 22 budget hearing; they have not been approved by the commissioners. No formal vote on the budget items was taken by the Emergency Services Board at the April 9 meeting.","The board was briefed on the FY26 recommended budget items affecting emergency services: four paramedic FTEs (reduced from an original request of eight), 168 replacement XL 400 portable radios, 45 new pagers distributed to districts, and four additional XL 400 portables for specific apparatus.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_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},6082379,"St. Mary's County DES nears completion of ECC/911 renovation; telecommunicators week April 13–19 noted",80,159425,239655,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123&start=159&end=239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123/thumbnail_159425.jpg","/articles/6082379/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-DES-nears-completion-of-ECC911-renovation-telecommunicators-week-April-1319-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082379-e8961c9a7d0002aca0ba06c7e1dcbe54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185402&Signature=fWOXgH29eW9HWE2wxGt9n6bD5aOIdc7ZJho64xvq6Ek2E2VmUyX95w~WGt5QKND9QR4yb4eT5swjfuT21A7VBYyYjefSgpjrKFizK2Ss9x4Wnjlt-ab-8SeA5aGSOuBBgy1M~CscPkvyogZp8gEKAa7rFEN85WlU-U8f6qreyJdOknadu~yT-tfIJGyYVQtquHg8mhe0gq9C9Hodh5x9b8VpFKVV0Fr1hZbakaSBYU85aUpGxip9FyYBl491bWUwHuUNse6llDDg1I0Xlm4UILqw33iKlrAy651tWvysSCnZyBKmfhdLpVeocIM1Xnk5SKn8-6E0p~OBig1zJBaGbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Utz, director of the St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services, told the Emergency Services Board on April 9 that the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and 911 renovation are nearing completion and staff hope to return telecommunicators to the main center next week if final work is finished.

Utz said invitations have been distributed for a ribbon cutting and that the renovated center looks substantially different than before. She said the department will aim to have telecommunicators back in the main center ahead of Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19) but that the more realistic target may be the first of the following week depending on remaining work. The director also thanked partner agencies and personnel who provided support during the renovation and temporary operations.

The update followed a March 19 Tyler CAD upgrade performed by county Information Technology and an ongoing instruction that open tickets from companies should be submitted to DES CAD so IT support can resolve them.

No formal action or vote was taken on the renovation; the report served as an informational update to the board.","The department said the Emergency Communications Center renovation is nearly complete, with plans to return telecommunicators to the main center the week of April 13–19 if final work allows and a ribbon-cutting planned.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6082384,"St. Mary's County emergency services advance property-tax incentive package; LOSAP appeals process and data app finalized",318,246535,565280,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123&start=246&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938633-d4bc1cc16d854f5df4e3dfc30228f123/thumbnail_246535.jpg","/articles/6082384/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-emergency-services-advance-property-tax-incentive-package-LOSAP-appeals-process-and-data-app-finalized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082384-ee7501332ec07bea039740dabdc92125/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185402&Signature=QFCJr94JK9bhYXr1Am2CF~w5AeNeSNzJNEMNvAx~3Inq2zYa5QkutV0pxGVWTNc2Tpwzz999-LM9vgb3fwxzyHuqglC~fUHaIk7swSsv11W7p~9rHn9fr2jak00k~sT3vHEulqqVwk89TUi1ZwLVBGjh1NB54xd8LQ3NhmyIZ~76UovYGU1EawnybhR~HxHa8bJ~AQDqQ1fht5xBsCorJfCcVUn2ByBX2NsCY6GEF-CfNL05N-BWgg9M2MOD4J5PDpxI4o4SqCuYcRfPwvqCmA6G2QdfjHXY-MSWSMB-nQyr9NuWJ1SoYxl-TbxyY9APkgLtfdS4fAAoTnLOyf1CZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emergency Services Board of St. Mary's County on April 9 discussed progress toward a property tax incentive ordinance intended to support volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members, outlined a LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) appeals process and said an information-collection website and app were completed the afternoon of April 9 to support upcoming hearings.

Board Chairman J. A. Nelson and Jennifer Utz, director of the St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services, told the board that staff have been working with county information technology to build a URL and app to collect the membership data needed if the ordinance advances to public hearing. Utz said the site is intended to let one representative per fire or rescue squad monitor and input members’ status and to provide back-end functions for the deputy director to manage LOSAP appeals and monitoring.

The board was told Tier 1 LOSAP lists have been posted at department stations and that a formal appeals process is open. Department leadership received instructions on how to file appeals; the board requested returned appeals forms by April 17 so staff can process them in time for county review. Utz said the appeals process and paperwork were distributed to departments and that returned forms should be sent to DES by mail or email to the DES group inbox.

Why it matters: the ordinance and the LOSAP adjustments are tied to recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency personnel and will go to public hearing on April 22. The board indicated the county commissioners are expected to consider approvals at a commissioners meeting on May 6 following the public hearing.

Board discussion and directions: Utz and Deputy Director Kirsten Shea were repeatedly credited for preparing the ordinance materials and the data-collection application. The board discussed adding association representatives to the ordinance structure; the chairman noted recommended updates to include association board chairs, county fire and EMS chiefs, and assistant chiefs. Utz said the app and URL finished the afternoon of April 9, but some back-end processing remained to enable appeals handling and department-level monitoring.

No formal vote was taken on the ordinance itself at the April 9 meeting; members were asked to identify one representative per department to gain access to the app as soon as possible.

Meeting actions and procedural votes: the board approved the minutes from the previous meeting (motion: approve minutes; mover: not specified; seconds: Jason Adams and Hattie Norris; outcome: approved by voice vote). The meeting later adjourned by a motion from Jason Adams, seconded by Ernest Rogers, approved by voice vote.

What remains unclear: the ordinance text and final eligibility rules are subject to the county code language that will be presented at the public hearing; specific benefit-dollar amounts and certain implementation details were not specified at the April 9 meeting.

Next steps: the public hearing on the property tax incentive ordinance is scheduled for April 22; departments were instructed to return LOSAP appeals by April 17. DES staff will continue backend work on the data-collection app and will distribute access instructions to the identified department representatives.","The Emergency Services Board discussed the property tax incentive ordinance tied to the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), announced an appeals process with an April 17 return deadline, and said a new website/app to collect member data was completed April 9 to support a public hearing on April 22.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County cadet program policy under review after move to tech center; board raises access questions for nonpublic students

Emergency services items in St. Mary's County FY26 recommended budget include four paramedic FTEs and communications equipment

St. Mary's County DES nears completion of ECC/911 renovation; telecommunicators week April 13–19 noted

St. Mary's County emergency services advance property-tax incentive package; LOSAP appeals process and data app finalized