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Commissioner defends budget limits after heated public hearing; county schedules public hearings on animal control and golf-cart rules
Summary
An unnamed St. Mary's County commissioner said commissioners are aware of school funding needs but can only allocate money that exists, responding to sharply worded public comments at a Leonardtown High School budget hearing.
An unnamed St. Mary's County commissioner said commissioners are “very acutely aware of the needs” of the county’s schools but told residents the county can only fund priorities within the dollars it has available, responding to a public budget hearing at Leonardtown High School where several attendees sharply criticized the board.
The commissioner said, “a lot of people came out and I mean, I'm just gonna say it. I mean, basically, a lot of people came out and I mean, I'm just gonna say it. I mean, basically, a lot of people came out and I mean, I'm just gonna say it. I mean, basically, a lot of people came out and I mean, I'm just gonna say it. I mean, basically, a lot of people came out and I mean, I'm just gonna say it. I mean, basically, called us called us liars.” In a separate line the speaker said, “We are all very acutely aware of the needs and nobody here wants to It's not out of spite or anything like that that we're that we're that we we can only fund with dollars that we have.”
The commissioner described some public remarks as “downright, insulting” and urged respect in public comment. There was no indication in the transcript that the board changed any budget figures or voted on funding during the meeting.
The commissioner also announced local hearings: “Tonight, 06:30, public public hearing, come on out, find out, you know, we've got some ordinances that we're gonna be be meeting on or that are gonna be discussed. So the bridal control ordinance and the, repeal and replace, for golf for for golf carts on roads. So come out and find out if that affects you. Hear about the, animal control ordinance.” The transcript did not supply the full ordinance texts, proposed changes, or any votes.
Why it matters: County budget allocations determine local school funding and services. Public hearings give residents an opportunity to review proposed ordinances and comment before any formal vote.
Reporting limits: The transcript records the commissioner’s summary and characterization of public comments but does not include the text of proposed ordinances, the number of speakers at the budget hearing, or any changes to budget figures.
