On May 23 the St. Mary's County commissioners approved a one‑time, fiscal‑year‑2012 stipend of $500 for eligible county employees and directed that remaining budgetary balance after today's actions be applied to PAYGO (pay‑as‑you‑go) capital funding.

Commissioner Morgan moved the stipend proposal, which commissioners seconded and approved 4–1. The board specified the stipend be for regular county employees on the payroll as of June 30, 2011; elected officials were excluded because their pay is regulated by law. County staff were instructed to determine payroll mechanics (spread over pay periods to reduce tax impacts) and clarify eligibility rules for contract employees and other categories cited during discussion.

Commissioners also reviewed the capital improvement plan (CIP). County financial staff told the board that updated timing for large projects — notably the county detention center and the Leonardtown library construction phases — allowed the county to defer some borrowing. CFO Elaine Kramer explained that, based on project timing and expected state funding for the detention center, the county did not need to sell general obligation bonds in fiscal year 2012 and could defer large bond issuances until 2013 and later.

Staff proposed applying two pay‑as‑you‑go sources to reduce borrowing: (1) approximately $982,000 identified in the current reconciliation for PAYGO and (2) a reversion of about $955,000 that had been moved earlier from capital to operating (a 9‑1‑1 reversion). Commissioners signaled support for staff returning with budget amendment language to move the 9‑1‑1 funds back to capital and apply PAYGO toward FY12 projects.

A related motion — to require FDR Boulevard construction funding be financed through a tax‑increment or tax incentive district rather than county bond financing — failed on the floor after debate. Commissioners also reviewed impact‑fee eligibility and discussed realigning impact‑fee applications among schools, parks and roads to match eligible projects.

Ending: Staff will prepare the payroll implementation plan for the $500 stipend, update operating and capital schedules to reflect PAYGO, and return with a budget amendment to revert the 9‑1‑1 funds to capital and finalize borrowing plans for 2013 and later.