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Resident urges overhaul of sprawling recreation fees as county proposes new kennel and solid-waste charges
Summary
County staff proposed changes to county fees and charges including a new commercial kennel license and a small increase to the solid-waste environmental fee; a resident urged the commissioners to simplify the Recreation and Parks fee schedule and consider reduced or no-cost access for children in free-and-reduced lunch programs.
County staff presented a package of proposed changes to St. Mary's County fees and charges covering animal-control licenses, solid-waste service fees, and recreation activity fees; one speaker urged broad restructuring of recreation charges.
Vanetta Van Cleave, the county CFO, said the animal control division is proposing a new commercial kennel license with a fee of $200 for 12–24 animals and $400 for 25 or more. The county's solid-waste environmental fee, which appears on property tax bills, is proposed to increase from $102.48 to $104.53. Recreation and Parks staff proposed consolidating multiple summer-stock rates into a single rate and modest maintenance increases across camps, classes and sports programs. The recommended budget documents list the proposed fees on pages 122–143 of the published packet.
Troy Gowen of Lexington Park urged the commissioners to "radically restructure" the Recreation and Parks fee schedule, noting he counted "392 different and separate fees" and questioned whether administrative costs justify the fee structure. He suggested reduced or no-cost participation for children in the free or reduced-price lunch program to promote access.
No formal action was taken tonight; staff will include fee proposals in FY2026 budget materials for commissioner consideration and final adoption.
