The St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a series of budget and administrative measures Tuesday, including restorations to the county emergency appropriation reserve, corrections budget realignment, a water-and-sewer map amendment for Park Place and several agreements with outside organizations.

The board voted to: restore $134,273 to the Board of County Commissioners’ Emergency Appropriation Reserve as part of closing out operating costs for Ernesto; approve smaller departmental Ernesto-related budget amendments in Public Works; return $57,179 from positions budgeted for the transfer station to the emergency reserve; realign the sheriff’s corrections budget to cover projected overtime and pension shortfalls tied to increased inmate population; and approve a package of departmental grant/subrecipient agreements and tourism advertising revenue amendments. Commissioners also approved sending County transportation-priority letters to the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Tri-County Council, approved an amended easement for the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and authorized a lease with Walden Sierra for three county-owned buildings.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/second, outcome):
- Approve bills as presented; motion by Commissioner Mattingly, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve minutes of May 15, 2007 as amended; motion by Commissioner John (Beaud), seconded by Commissioner Raley — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve and authorize the president to sign the budget amendment closing out the Ernesto operating project and restore $134,273 to the Emergency Appropriation Reserve; motion by Commissioner Jarvo, seconded by Commissioner Dement — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve Public Works budget amendment to move departmental Ernesto funds (small overtime/inspection balances); motion by Commissioner Raley, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe — passed (Ayes have it).
- Close out FY07 budget authority and eliminate two transfer-station FTEs, restoring $57,179 to the Emergency Appropriation Reserve; motion moved/seconded on the floor — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve and authorize a budget amendment realigning the sheriff’s corrections budget to cover projected overtime, shift differential and pension shortfalls related to increased detention population; motion by Commissioner DeMitt, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve submission and sign subrecipient agreement for sexual assault prevention and awareness activities with Walden Sierra ($11,000) and authorize related documents; motion by Commissioner Dement, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly — passed (unanimous).
- Approve and authorize the president to sign an amended easement agreement with Maryland Money Market Mortgage Corporation for the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitor Center (removes “exclusive use” language and sets shared parking terms); motion by Commissioner Raley, seconded by Commissioner Jarvall — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve and authorize the lease agreement with Walden Sierra, Inc. for three county buildings on St. Andrews Church Road (initial term five years, $1 per year rent); motion by Commissioner Dement, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve the FY2008 Alcohol and Drug Abuse subrecipient agreement with St. Mary’s County Health Department ($92,482) and related state contracts; motion by Commissioner Raley, seconded by Commissioner Jarbo — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve tourism budget amendment to increase advertising expense and revenue by $20,523; motion by Commissioner Jarvo, seconded by Commissioner Genneth — passed (Ayes have it).
- Transfer the county’s 2007 tax-exempt bond allocation (authority) back to the Maryland Community Development Administration; motion by Commissioner Manning, seconded by Commissioner John Voe — passed (Ayes have it).
- Approve amendment to the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan to change service-area maps for Park Place (approximately 40.96 acres); motion by Commissioner Raley, seconded by Commissioner Manley — passed (Ayes have it).

Several items required only administrative follow-up (right-of-way certificate, LOA to bid, further drafting of transportation letters) and will return to the board or be transmitted to state/regional partners as described by staff.

The board held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Sheriff’s Office retirement plan (change to a fixed 3% annual cost‑of‑living adjustment); the record was left open for 10 days for written comment and commissioners plan to return for final action at a later meeting.

The board recessed to executive session on real-property matters and scheduled a budget work session later in the day.