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St. Mary’s County budget staff says $27.6 million in new bond authority likely needed to advance capital projects
Summary
County staff reviewed the capital improvement program and told commissioners projects and cash flows require roughly $27.6 million more in bonding authority; several projects were recommended for delay, reallocation, or additional appropriations including Sheriff District 4, animal shelter and road overlays.
St. Mary’s County budget staff told commissioners during a November work session that the county’s capital improvement program will likely require about $27,600,000 in additional bond authority to proceed with planned projects.
The presentation, delivered by budget staffer Paige Cudmore, focused on the county’s unexpended project list, current encumbrances, and which funds are available. “Our process is we're actually gonna start with the capital improvement budget and program first,” Cudmore said, outlining the review of total budgets, current encumbrances and balances across impact fees, transfer taxes, state and federal grants, and bonds.
County staff highlighted several immediate issues affecting cash flow and the bond plan. Staff said the county has roughly $65,000,000 of bonds budgeted but not yet issued from prior fiscal years, and about $3,600,000 of previously sold bond proceeds that remain unspent and subject to a three‑year spend rule. Staff presented an updated list of project changes and suggested moves to lower the county’s short‑term borrowing need.
Why it matters: Commissioners were asked to prioritize which capital projects to move forward, to defer or to close to reserve funds so staff can compute a new bond sale schedule. Without the additional authority, staff said some projects cannot proceed or will be delayed until state or delegation decisions are known.
Most significant project notes and staff recommendations
- Sheriff District 4 office (Great Mills/Leonardtown area): staff recommended additional construction funding of about $1,400,000 tied to scope changes and required building hardening and security improvements. Commissioners noted property‑line and easement complications had delayed the project; one speaker announced recently received easement from PNC Bank that should allow work to proceed. Cudmore said the project has passed its one‑year threshold for obligated bond proceeds and may require reallocation or a formal resolution to move bond authority.
- Animal shelter: staff said the latest public‑works estimate increases the county share by about $1,290,000, bringing the county portion to roughly $5,100,000; staff proposed a budget amendment in December to reflect the change.
- Asphalt overlay (roads maintenance): staff outlined the county's pavement‑management approach and said about $3,000,000 is the programmatic annual target to hold pavement condition steady. Commissioners discussed whether to keep that level in the bond plan or reduce it to lower near‑term borrowing needs.
- Bridge/culvert and storm repairs: staff reported two unbudgeted emergency culvert repairs this fiscal year and recommended increasing the line item used for small bridge and culvert replacements and driveway culverts; the presentation estimated many small projects at roughly $50,000 each and some larger potential liabilities up to about $150,000.
- Patuxent Park neighborhood, Saint Jerome’s Creek jetties, Leonardtown Library/Senior Center procurement and other park and recreation projects: several items were recommended to be rescheduled or moved out to later fiscal years pending state and federal approvals, final designs, or Corps of Engineers work.
Commissioners’ direction and next steps
Commissioners directed staff to update the bond authority sheet and the CIP reflecting the agreed moves and to return in December with a revised debt‑capacity and bond‑sale recommendation. Cudmore said staff will close projects the board gives direction on, reallocate any balances to FIN reserves where appropriate, and bring a consolidated picture of available funds and the updated bonding need.
Staff said the county will also look for non‑bond sources (transfer tax, impact fees, federal/state grants) to reduce borrowing and that some smaller project items could be financed from transfer tax rather than bonds.
Ending
Commissioners asked staff to present the revised CIP and debt‑capacity analysis at the next work session so the board can consider a bond sale timetable and any budget amendments in December.
