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St. Mary's County commissioners approve multiple budget transfers, agreements and grants; several items adopted unanimously
Summary
The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 11 approved a package of budget transfers, agreements and grant applications — including school categorical transfers, an MOU with the College of Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center, public-works agreements and Program Open Space requests — with most motions passing by voice vote.
The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 11 approved a package of motions covering school budget transfers, county contributions to regional programs, multiple public-works and development agreements, and Program Open Space grant applications.
The board voted on items ranging from categorical transfers for the St. Mary's County Public Schools to a county commitment to the Tri County Animal Shelter and a set of public-works easements and bond reductions. Most motions passed on voice votes with commissioners saying “aye.” One emergency appropriation request for animal-shelter improvements drew a recorded dissent but was approved by the majority.
The board approved two category-transfer requests submitted by the Board of Education: transfers in the FY2007 budget and a budget transfer in FY2008 that acknowledged settlement revenue and legal-fee expenditures. Commissioners also approved a requested realignment that moves $140,536 and two full-time equivalent positions from a Title I school-improvement grant into Title I Part A funds and reduces the restricted fund budget by $59,464.
Separately the board signed the county’s annual memorandum of understanding with the College of Southern Maryland to fund the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and approved the county’s $15,000 contribution toward Tri County Animal Shelter facility upgrades, authorizing a related budget amendment drawn from commissioners’ reserves. The motion on the shelter passed with one commissioner recorded as opposed; the meeting transcript did not name the dissenting vote.
Public-works items approved in a single motion included a subdivision sign easement for Heritage Manor, bond and public-works-agreement reductions for Brooks Knolls and Wildwood developments, an addendum extending time on Hickory Hills PUD section 3D (Amber Drive), and deed and joint-use documents needed to permit a second entrance to Broad Creek subdivision across SMECO right-of-way.
The commissioners also authorized a $25,000 budget amendment establishing state funding for the county’s sidewalk retrofit project (substituting state funds for county transfer tax funds) and approved four Program Open Space grant applications and project agreements totaling county match and capital allocations for Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park, 7th District Park parking and entrance paving, phase 4a of the 3 Notch Trail, and tennis-court improvements at Cecil Park. A renewal application and management plan for the Medical Adult Day Services program (the Bridal Center) under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) was also approved.
Votes were taken by voice unless otherwise specified in the official minutes; the meeting transcript records motions, seconder names in most cases, and the chair calling “Aye” or noting opposition where present.
Votes referenced in the transcript (summary): - Approval of bills and minutes: adopted by voice vote. - Board of Education categorical transfers (FY2007: $186,000; FY2008: $47,400): approved (voice vote). - Board of Education realignment (move $140,536 and 2.0 FTE from Title I school-improvement grant to Title I Part A; reduce restricted fund by $59,464): approved (voice vote). - Memorandum of Understanding: College of Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center (annual MOU, FY2008 funding contribution): approved (voice vote). - Tri County Animal Shelter: authorized letter of commitment and related budget amendment of approximately $15,000 from commissioners’ reserve to support barn and HVAC upgrades (motion approved; one recorded dissent not named in transcript). - Public Works easement/public-works agreements/addendum/deed & joint-use agreements (items a–e): approved (voice vote). - Sidewalk retrofit: budget amendment establishing $25,000 in state funding and reducing county transfer tax use: approved (voice vote). - Program Open Space project agreements (Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park; 7th District Park paving; 3 Notch Trail phase 4a; Cecil Park tennis-court improvements): approved (voice vote). - CACFP renewal and management plan for the Medical Adult Day Services program at the Bridal Center: approved (voice vote).
The board recessed for a flagpole remembrance ceremony at noon and later convened as the St. Mary's County Board of Health for a presentation by the health officer.
(For specific mover/seconder text and verbatim minutes, consult the official meeting minutes and the transcript.)
Ending: The decisions summarized here were taken by the commissioners during the Sept. 11 meeting and will appear in the board's official minutes; several approvals authorize staff to sign contracts or seek state approvals (for Program Open Space) and require follow-up administrative steps before funds are expended.
