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Commissioner: draft first-responder benefits ordinance moving to public hearing in St. Mary's County
Summary
A St. Mary's County commissioner said a draft ordinance creating a pilot benefits program for first responders is nearly complete and is expected to reach a public hearing on April 22. The commissioner said the program may cost less than first estimated and is intended to boost volunteer recruitment and reduce the county's career staffing costs.
A St. Mary's County commissioner said the county has completed a first draft of an ordinance to establish a pilot benefits program for first responders and expects a public hearing on April 22.
The commissioner described the measure as a pilot that remains subject to change as officials refine eligibility and cost details. "We are making great progress on our benefits program for our first responders. We've gotten our first draft done, it's of the ordinance that will be coming out," the commissioner said.
According to the commissioner, the county is "honing down on the numbers and the number of people who would be eligible," and initial estimates suggest the program may cost less than previously anticipated. The commissioner said the pilot would offer flexibility: details could change depending on issues that arise during the drafting and review process.
The stated goals are to reward active volunteer and career emergency personnel, increase volunteer participation and "lower the cost of the career" side that the county pays from taxes. The commissioner described the measure as a way to support those "coming to us in these ambulances and these fire trucks and really helping us out."
No ordinance text, eligibility limits, estimated budget impact, or funding sources were provided in the remarks. The commissioner said staff are refining numbers and that further details will be presented ahead of the April 22 public hearing.
Next steps: finalize draft ordinance language, publish required notices and hold the public hearing scheduled for April 22. No formal vote or final decision on the ordinance was recorded in the provided transcript segments.
