St. Mary's County commissioners review draft 2009 operating budget; public hearing reserve remains $591,049

St. Mary's County commissioners and staff met May 19 at the Potomac building to review changes in the county's draft 2009 operating budget, including revised revenue estimates, reserves and one commissioner’s proposal to shift fund balance into retiree benefits and public safety hiring.

The discussion centered on revenue revisions and reserves that leave the county with a public hearing reserve of $591,049 and an audited but undesignated 2007 fund balance of $10,554,561. Commissioner Richard Raley proposed allocating portions of those balances to the county's retiree health liabilities and to immediate staffing needs at the detention center.

The work session matters mattered because the commissioners must present a balanced budget for public hearings while deciding how much of limited, sometimes volatile revenue to use for one‑time needs versus recurring obligations.

County staff walked commissioners through the revenue and expenditure reconciliation for the draft approved budget. Elaine Kramer, a staff member, described the approach to interest income forecasting: "For the past couple of years, this is…