Commissioners approve disposal of 41 surplus parcels, child‑support grant and staffing changes; authorize golf‑course contract renewal

The Commissioners of St. Mary's County took several formal actions at the April 22, 2025 meeting: they approved the disposition and sale of 41 surplus real‑property parcels, authorized a cooperative reimbursement agreement to support the Sheriff's Office child‑support unit, approved an internal reorganization in the State's Attorney's Office, and authorized a one‑year renewal employment contract for the county golf‑course manager. Commissioners also voted to enter a closed session for discussion of real property and legal advice.

Surplus real property — final disposition The county attorney's office asked the board to approve final disposal of 41 surplus parcels that the county acquired through tax sale foreclosures. County Attorney Bobby Gittens and paralegal Brandy McKelvey told the board a public hearing was held April 8; five individuals either spoke or submitted written comments. The commissioners approved three related motions: (1) to declare the 41 parcels surplus and allow sale; (2) to authorize sale of 40 of those parcels for a price equal to the real‑property taxes paid at the time of tax sale plus legal fees incurred during the foreclosure process; and (3) to authorize the county attorney to list and sell the specific parcel 45095 Blackwell Court in Piney Point, which the county described as a buildable lot, using a real‑estate agent. The motions included authorization for the commissioner president to sign related sale documents.

Officials told the board there remain six leftover parcels from a 2020 surplus list that the county is addressing in addition to the 41 now before the commissioners. County staff reported they already have interest from prospective purchasers and expect to complete multiple early sales.

Child‑support grant (FFY 2026 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement) The board approved the FFY 2026 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with the Maryland Department of Human Services for child support enforcement. The agreement totals $834,968, including $519,536 in federal funds and $315,432 in county match. METCOM and Sheriff's Office staff explained the grant will reimburse approximately 63% of salary, fringe, fuel, maintenance, telephone and supply costs for the child support unit; the related 3.58 grant positions and funding were included in the FY26 recommended budget. Commissioners were told a budget amendment will follow once final FY26 compensation details are known.

State's Attorney Office reorganization (phase 1 approved) The Commissioners approved the first phase of a three‑phase reorganization in the State's Attorney's Office proposed by Acting Chief of Staff Jessica Hall. Phase 1 converts three existing positions into 1) a Deputy State's Attorney (statutorily required), 2) a Chief of Staff, and 3) a Communications Coordinator. County staff said this phase generates an immediate projected salary savings of $63,254. Commissioners were told phases 2 and 3 would be presented later; the office projects that after all three phases the net salary savings will be $38,045, and that the reorganization will ultimately add one attorney to the office compared with the current authorized attorney count after all conversions are complete.

Golf course manager contract renewal Commissioners authorized the commissioner president to sign a one‑year renewal employment contract for the county golf‑course manager. County administration explained the department head for Recreation and Parks requested a one‑year renewal to allow the new department director time to review operations before moving back to a longer contract term.

Closed session authorization At the meeting's close the board voted to enter a closed session to discuss real property and legal advice; a motion, second and unanimous vote were recorded.

What commissioners voted on and actions - Declare 41 parcels surplus and allow sale — motion approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Authorize sale of 40 parcels at an amount equal to real property taxes paid at time of tax sale plus legal fees — motion approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Authorize using a real‑estate agent to sell 45095 Blackwell Court (buildable lot in Piney Point) — motion approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Approve FFY2026 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement (child support) — motion approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Approve State's Attorney Office position conversions (phase 1) — motion approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Authorize one‑year renewal employment contract for golf course manager — contract award approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved). - Enter closed session for real property and legal advice — approved (first/second recorded; outcome: approved).

Why it matters: The surplus property sales free county holdings and may bring properties back to productive use; the child‑support grant offsets personnel and operating costs for the county's enforcement effort; the State's Attorney reorganization reallocates legal and administrative staffing with modest projected salary savings; the golf‑course contract renewal gives Recreation and Parks short‑term flexibility during a leadership transition.

Ending: County staff said they would post surplus property listings and sale application information on the County Attorney’s website and follow up with required sale documents and budget amendments where needed.