Commissioners press staff on slow spending for FDR Boulevard as $13 million sits unspent

At a Nov. 10 fiscal‑year 2017 capital improvement program (CIP) work session, St. Mary—s County commissioners pressed county staff for clearer timing and faster delivery on FDR Boulevard, a multi‑phase road project that shows roughly $13 million in unexpended budgeted funds.

The commissioners heard that the $13 million balance represents multiple phases: bids or awards for phase 1A and 1B, $3.6 million approved this fiscal year for phase 1C, and roughly $2.8–3.0 million set aside for land acquisition for later phases. "Out of the $13 million, we can account for phases 1A and 1B," George Erickson of the CIP group said, adding that phase 1A was about to be awarded and phase 1B was out to bid.

Commissioners repeatedly asked why large CIP sums remain on paper for multiple years without visible field activity. "It concerns me that we tie up 13 and a half million dollars under the idea of when we go and spend it," Commissioner Jaraboy said. Staff and commissioners discussed two related causes: legal/permit/third‑party timing and internal capacity to move projects through procurement and construction.

County procurement chief Randy Burns described the procurement scheduling process that can delay construction starts even when money is budgeted. "There—s only so much that can be done within a time frame between the amount of people that we have on staff," Burns told the board, noting the county typically waits until funds are fully appropriated before soliciting and awarding large construction contracts.

Jeanette Kenmore and Patty Stigman, who led the presentation of the unexpended balances, said monthly updates and cash‑flow schedules inform whether a project should remain funded or be reprogrammed into reserves and then returned to the CIP in the year the county expects to spend it.

Erickson gave an estimated calendar timeline for travel lanes and acquisitions: he said some design and acquisition work would be completed so property acquisition could start in calendar 2016 and that parts of the corridor could be constructed by about 2019, subject to permitting and property clearance. "We have an MOU with State Highway to assist us with property acquisition. That MOU extended through phase 3," he said.

Commissioners asked staff to return with clearer cash‑flow charts and, where feasible, options to accelerate projects or reprogram funds for higher‑priority work.

Ending: County staff said they will keep updating monthly unexpended schedules and will provide more detailed cash‑flow and procurement timing at future budget work sessions so commissioners can decide whether to reallocate or accelerate funding.