[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6233983,"mediaKeyId","3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f","parentId",3412259,"title","St. Mary's County adopts $348.6 million FY2026 budget; keeps tax rates flat, reduces energy tax to zero","audioSeconds",687,"startMs",1707000,"endMs",2394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f&start=1707&end=2394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f/thumbnail_1707000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233983/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-adopts-3486-million-FY2026-budget-keeps-tax-rates-flat-reduces-energy-tax-to-zero","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233983-88c81aa8a7baae750bc685c4569ced2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966015&Signature=Vno7p55yLPt98zJe7XV8Mk270mmkO~P7LmuS-MeHuIp3HRixTeHzalJMnTfZAi3i8TndXQgWXccWf0teY6zim4U6EXv05FjYYVQQ6xGUqgR1kSZq19Bz7c7HeDrNhp0LbVFgytofgRzkGVhgW9dIlzoKulQMY3MrnZJUnLVlWC2SUSUn~gfH0oKSulDDhCqgN-n19QSii4HB11yjVrpsSLDQPKqxHqNluysH-tUjriup01cWBmQra0D6Sd4OAozxvowgyBGhu19XkRPOypCejznFKjE-~42GYZwV0Q8coqkAWcbIoDbRpqH7Pum9HAHV7Kl6RUbhNJKeQGD8v1paJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-05-21T02:56:32.777Z","article","St. Mary's County commissioners on May 20 approved the county's FY2026 operating and capital budgets, a set of fee and charge updates, and a revenue ordinance that sets tax rates and other revenues for the coming year.

The action, presented by Benetta Van Cleve, chief financial officer, adopted a $348,563,112 general-fund budget and tied appropriations that also include about $28.5 million in enterprise and special revenue funds and roughly $75.4 million for capital improvements. The board also approved a revenue ordinance that leaves most property tax rates unchanged, reduces the county energy and fuel tax from 0.3125% to 0.0% (a projected revenue reduction cited in the presentation of about $325,000), and raises two rescue tax rates to 0.03 for Leonardtown and Hollywood.

The commissioners also approved a slate of updated fees and charges. Staff highlighted a formulaic 2% increase in the annual environmental and solid-waste service fee, moving it from $102.48 to $104.53, and a set of smaller increases across recreation and parks program fees and facility maintenance charges. Van Cleve said changed fees were noted in bold in the public materials and asked commissioners to act on the package.

Why it matters: the package authorizes county spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, sets the local revenue framework, and preserves a 15% fund-balance reserve target the county uses for fiscal stability. The energy-tax reduction and the decision to hold other tax rates steady were highlighted by commissioners during debate.

Budget highlights and process details: Van Cleve told the board the proposed revenues totaled about $336.4 million (a budget-to-budget increase of roughly 4%), with a $3 million budget-to-budget increase in other revenues driven principally by interest income. Use of fund balance will be required in the plan but the presentations said the county will maintain the 15% reserve. The appropriation ordinance and the full budget package were approved in separate motions, and the board also authorized required state certification paperwork for the Maryland State Department of Education.

Commissioner Mike Hewitt, representing the second commissioner district, acknowledged his dissent on a portion of the final package, saying the timing of late changes left some members surprised. \"You win some, you lose some,\" Hewitt said, adding that he hoped the approved budget would meet community needs and be affordable.

Actions taken: the board approved the fees-and-charges schedule, executed the revenue ordinance that sets tax rates, approved the appropriation ordinance (identifying departmental appropriations and compensation for appointed employees), adopted the FY2026 budget as submitted, and authorized the president to execute budget certification forms required by the state. Several motions were passed unanimously; one motion to schedule a zoning hearing later in the meeting produced an abstention (see separate article on that item).

Implementation notes: staff said that some county fees are set by formula (for example, the solid-waste fee) and that the Rescue Squad tax-rate increases for Leonardtown and Hollywood had been reviewed at prior public hearings where Leonardtown received 16 supporting comments and Hollywood received eight. Van Cleve said deputy staff involved in bond and escrow work would follow up on required administrative steps.

Outlook: FY2026 begins July 1, 2025. The approved appropriation ordinance funds county departments, elected officials' budgets, and capital projects included in the capital improvements plan. Commissioners said they expect continued discussion with departmental leaders about implementation and monitoring of the approved spending plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/20/25 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","St. Mary's County commissioners on May 20 approved the county's FY2026 operating and capital budgets, a related appropriation ordinance and revenue ordinance, and a set of fee adjustments.","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},6233978,"Commissioners schedule public hearing for Pax River Village Center rezoning; Planning Commission split 4–3",738,2428000,3166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f&start=2428&end=3166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f/thumbnail_2428000.jpg","/articles/6233978/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-schedule-public-hearing-for-Pax-River-Village-Center-rezoning-Planning-Commission-split-43","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233978-99b2aa1b6ea3e00f6fee891be0ad789e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966015&Signature=ZeXR9f50DTFZG1-66rbiJ6~Tw1H0lmxNFodH7XOYtYPeO09iXJGh9O1U4jxzvICNsQoshwdYN0-0XtYgbPNkwFkvzzvSfRUBM00VW67oBpCnIWfF0uA0ittgXkA-xLQpCiC-frrrHdHy~-YrXxPIvgiz8wQEA-1OVtxoAhLuYRZCI6PmWSx7rRbNaoVnxFoOly1qmw09lD-r-RT~ubJyWRj4wtnF5-R18nUbttC5J7J8S6p~v0Mzo4oAP3rXloRSdQhl4ROwjhPOaJWmpErAKmm5HKe86Vlzc5m78W92uoco6ibau7aG1jloM0MPT9re0zNAeMlTZrwKOYbhdvSd2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary's County voted on May 20 to schedule a public hearing for June 24 on a zoning-map amendment and comprehensive-plan map amendment for parcels in the Pax River Village Center in Lexington Park.

Courtney Jenkins, planner with the Department of Land Use and Growth Management, presented the application (Zone 204-413) and said the request would change land-use designations for four parcels from limited commercial/industrial and medium-intensity mixed use to mixed-use high intensity (MXH) for the portions lying outside the A-Qs. Jenkins said the proposal seeks consistency with the Lexington Park Development District master plan and the county's zoning ordinance.

The applicant is proposing a project of 91 townhomes on about 9.5 acres that will require 25 transfer-of-development-rights (TDRs), Jenkins told the board. Under current zoning, Jenkins said, the medium-intensity mixed-use district (MXM) permits up to about 5 units per acre and up to 25 units per acre with TDRs; the requested MXH zoning would allow about 7 units per acre and up to 30 units per acre with TDRs.

The Planning Commission considered the application on May 5 and recommended approval by a 4–3 vote. Jenkins said the applicant had submitted neighborhood boundaries consistent with the staff report and that most public comments received by staff were in favor. She also said the base planning liaison (CPLO) had attended the Planning Commission hearing and that the base representative told staff she would likely attend the commissioners' hearing as well.

Jenkins noted the Naval Air Station Patuxent River (referred to in the record as the NAS Pax River liaison) provided a comment that the base does not support rezoning inside the A-Quiet zones (A-Qs); Jenkins emphasized the application area is for parcels outside the A-Qs. The commissioners also heard that the concept site plan for the 91 townhomes had been recommended by the Planning Commission conditional upon approval of the requested map amendments.

The board approved scheduling the public hearing for the morning of June 24, 2025. The motion to set the hearing passed; one commissioner abstained from the vote.

Why it matters: a change to mixed-use high-intensity zoning would increase allowable residential density and expand allowable uses on the parcels, enabling the developer's proposed townhome project if the map amendments and subsequent plan approvals are granted.

Next steps: the county will hold the public hearing on June 24. The commissioners will accept public testimony and then decide whether to adopt the comprehensive-plan and zoning map amendments needed for the project to proceed to a concept/site-plan review and final approvals.","The county commissioners scheduled a June 24 public hearing on a developer request to reclassify four parcels in the Pax River Village Center to mixed-use high intensity to allow a proposed 91-townhome project.",{"_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},6233966,"Commissioners approve one additional LOSAP appeal to add volunteer to 2024 certified list",279,3111000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f&start=3111&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f/thumbnail_3111000.jpg","/articles/6233966/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-one-additional-LOSAP-appeal-to-add-volunteer-to-2024-certified-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233966-0b2e314070e2b354f106c7e21029e4b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966016&Signature=fwjKt0Iir4zFwnqTw31ddPEiP6hBWSbOyPWiw9HDJDC~POkC-qa3RmovHIrsY6FlTpZmzl8kmPSlstEUWLDSbm0aeb4hUmWFbyDMCgI5Y1SE2uR8ccxSRK4SVpuSNeXrrF2R~kOMfDxoSJpKGubXnnAYhwI-3mh2OLtylaxCVBK7KVPpjWjAR0eSq-g9z1RcQoBy-LaG11GGfYeQE97QXSobbUi1X1El-2kj2pbBR51bTCIHUhbNrpNxGJ90I2Pfj4ao4mRJtlI9pnlHXjS0lvOr1rS0EjImujs~pFsRcehKZ5Gqw7zcDLKYOCZUQMZf5gnqrwuPvJBG8mgjrKVTGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary's County on May 20 approved the addition of one volunteer to the county's 2024 Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) certified list after the appeal process concluded.

Catherine Prattsen, presenting on behalf of the Department of Emergency Services, said the volunteer company's certification and the LOSAP executive committee had approved the appeal and that county code requires the commissioners to make the final determination. Prattsen described the appeals timeline: volunteer companies must post certified lists for 30 days and individuals then have 30 days after posting to submit appeals. The final appeal period ended May 6; this additional appeal fell within that timeframe and, after internal review, was supported.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about why appeals sometimes arrive after the initial certification and whether process changes would reduce late appeals. Prattsen and other staff said the ordinance and new data-collection processes implemented with LOSAP updates are intended to make list collection and verification more consistent and reduce future late appeals.

The motion to approve the single additional volunteer's inclusion on the 2024 certified LOSAP list passed with approval from the board.

Why it matters: LOSAP determines eligibility for volunteer response rewards and can affect volunteers' participation in incentive programs and their retention. The county code requires the governing body to adopt the certified lists and any approved appeals.

Next steps: staff said they expect the process improvements to reduce the frequency of late appeals; the approved volunteer will be eligible for the response rewards program for 2024 as certified.","Following the May 5 certified LOSAP list presentation, the Department of Emergency Services reported one additional approved appeal for the 2024 LOSAP list. The board approved adding the volunteer after the volunteer company and the LOSAP executive committee had approved the appeal and after the appeal timeline closed.",{"_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},6233972,"Sheriff's Office seeks $12,772 state grant to support offender registry compliance; commissioners approve application",205,3366000,3571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f&start=3366&end=3571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3412259-f36012006dba9422c30954496a15878f/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","/articles/6233972/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Sheriffs-Office-seeks-12772-state-grant-to-support-offender-registry-compliance-commissioners-approve-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233972-af00356d3d2542d08be3852363246a1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966016&Signature=jHp9bIiihetgU9PBN56vVbpYvth0PLJaBzDDfIxPMr9Tv1yrA3JIdha7M8tGImLZ0bWnD0c3dLngdOmXCXGmqZ9m7zlhP0aGEu5JWO5fdkIUizMLqCGXelw8T7DyhkNMV~C~9y5JLD3fge7ZDLTKnC~ftvUMl9~AP2MScegzbnUIw9EX4-cA2lfFZzVl6GPEx0CY8vGqHZL0nkAZQxyakjOAz3o5623N3OZTrNaJkqKEbIpunMgiNWmX2xrMcluNNYTsDOSuJe2BR9i~NqHV0ox2uMhZrK~s9AnY1C91~aIX8k6L27igURenaGbruQ6n56PcoM81SybTzAmWEjIlsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Commissioners on May 20 approved submission of a FY2026 Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) offender compliance and enforcement grant application on behalf of the Sheriff's Office.

Captain Sarah Smith, administrative captain with the Sheriff's Office, told the board the recurring grant is expected to total $12,772 and requires no county match. She said the funding pays just over 20% of the salary for an administrative position that supports the county's offender registry unit.

When asked about the size of the registry, Captain Smith said there are currently 127 registered offenders in St. Mary's County. She described the unit's compliance detective role: if the office receives information that a registered person has moved in or is otherwise noncompliant, the unit investigates and may open a criminal case for noncompliance with registration requirements.

The commissioners voted to approve the grant application and authorized the commissioner president and sheriff to execute related documents and for staff to submit the application electronically.

Why it matters: the grant helps offset personnel costs for management of the offender registry, which county staff said is an active compliance and enforcement duty. The funding supports ongoing monitoring and investigative follow-up when noncompliance is reported.

Next steps: the Sheriff's Office will submit the application to GOCCP and, if awarded, will apply funds to the administrative support position cited in the request.","The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office asked the commissioners to approve submission of a FY2026 Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention grant of $12,772 to support administrative staff for the county's offender registry unit. The board approved the request without dissent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Mary's County adopts $348.6 million FY2026 budget; keeps tax rates flat, reduces energy tax to zero

Commissioners schedule public hearing for Pax River Village Center rezoning; Planning Commission split 4–3

Commissioners approve one additional LOSAP appeal to add volunteer to 2024 certified list

Sheriff's Office seeks $12,772 state grant to support offender registry compliance; commissioners approve application