St. Mary's County commissioners approve final FY2022 budget moves: turf fields, LOSAP and EMS staffing funded

Commissioners for St. Mary's County finalized several allocations and policy choices for the fiscal 2022 budget at a May 18 budget work session, approving one‑time and recurring items and setting aside an allocation for recreation fields at the county high schools.

The action package adopted by unanimous or majority votes covered use of American Rescue Plan funds for nonprofits, the use of fund balance for replacement vehicles, a $2,000,000 supplemental deposit to the county LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) for volunteer responders, a $2,500,000 commitment toward three high‑school artificial turf fields as a county CIP project, a decision to hire 16 emergency medical services FTEs initially (with remaining needs met by contract), a change to the county income tax assumptions and a 0.3 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment for county and Board of Education employees.

The votes resolved several outstanding questions managers had raised in prior sessions and incorporated updates to the county's American Rescue Plan (ARP) totals. Miss Cudmore, a county budget staff member presenting the packet, told commissioners the current revenue estimate for FY2022 was “about $285,000,000” and that ARP funds were shown separately so the county would not treat them as recurring revenue.

Why this matters: Commissioners used a mix of one‑time and recurring funding to close the FY2022 gap while preserving near‑term capacity for capital projects and negotiated compensation increases. Several choices — notably the turf‑field commitment and additional LOSAP funding — move capital and legacy benefit dollars into the coming year and change how the county plans to spend an expected one‑time fund balance.

Most important outcomes

- Nonprofits: Commissioners agreed to use American Rescue Plan funds to support nonprofit grants for the next two fiscal years rather than shift those grants into recurring operating revenue. That change was presented by budget staff as a way to avoid recurring budget pressure while meeting nonprofit requests the commissioners had already approved.

- LOSAP: The board approved an additional $2,000,000 deposit to LOSAP to strengthen the program's funding base for volunteer emergency responders. Commissioners discussed larger and smaller amounts before voting; the $2,000,000 figure carried the motion.

- Turf fields: Commissioner Morgan pressed to allocate one‑time funding to build artificial turf at each of the county's three high schools so the county would not miss what he described as a “one‑time” capital opportunity. After debate, the board voted to set aside $2,500,000 from the fund balance as the county’s initial CIP commitment to a three‑field turf plan; staff will return with final cost estimates and any shortfall plan.

- Board of Education negotiated agreement: Budget staff reported the school system was short by $779,000 to fully fund its negotiated agreement. Commissioners approved that $779,000 allocation so the school system could close the gap, after staff identified adjustments and savings (including revised health‑insurance assumptions) that reduced the county contribution needed.

- Emergency medical services (EMS): Commissioners approved hiring 16 EMS FTEs to start, with remaining staffing provided by contracted providers while the county monitors collections from emergency services billing. The budget presentation projected EMS billing revenue at a conservative 50% collection rate; commissioners directed staff to use ARP funds or fund balance if billing collections fall short while the program stabilizes.

- Taxes and compensation: The board voted to change the income‑tax assumption in the model to 4% growth and to lower the county income‑tax rate projection from 3.17% to 3.10% effective Jan. 1, 2022. Commissioners also approved a 0.3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for county employees and the Board of Education (combined county/BOE impact estimated at about $590,423).

- YMCA/Recreation study (A&E): Commissioners approved allocating the requested A&E (architecture and engineering) funds for the county’s Recreation/Community Center/YMCA site selection and planning so design work can proceed across FY2022–FY2023.

Votes at a glance

- Use ARP to fund nonprofit grants for FY2022–FY2023: approved (motion carried). - Vehicles: use fund balance for replacement/new vehicles and avoid exempt financing where possible: approved by consensus. - LOSAP additional funding, $2,000,000: approved (motion carried). - High‑school turf fields CIP: initial set‑aside $2,500,000 from fund balance for FY2022 (county share); motion carried 3–2. Staff to return with final estimates and a plan for any shortfall. - Board of Education negotiated agreement: $779,000 allocation to fully fund the negotiated agreement: approved (motion carried). - EMS staffing: initial hire of 16 FTEs with remaining staffing contracted pending billing results: approved (motion carried). - Income tax assumptions and rate: set growth to 4% and adjusted modeling rate to 3.10% effective Jan. 1, 2022: approved (motion carried). - COLA 0.3% for county and BOE employees: approved (motion carried 3–2). - YMCA A&E funding for FY2022–FY2023 (per county A&E policy 7%): approved (motion carried).

What commissioners said and next steps

Commissioner President Guy opened the session and invited budget staff to present the final package. Miss Cudmore summarized revenue and expenditure totals and emphasized that ARP/“American Rescue” dollars were shown separately because they are non‑recurring. Commissioners asked staff to return with final turf‑field cost estimates and a plan if state bonding or school fund balance does not cover any shortfall. School staff and county parks leaders said they are coordinating site, scheduling and MOU details and expect to return with project scoping.

On EMS, commissioner discussion focused on accountability, volunteer availability and the pace of transition. Mr. Walker, representing local rescue squads, and Mr. Shepherd, school‑system staff involved in field planning, both addressed the board during debate. Commissioners directed staff to continue conservative revenue assumptions for EMS billing and to use ARP or fund balance as a bridge if collections lag; they also asked for a status update in the fall after vaccine‑related volunteer recovery and updated billing data.

Budget staff said the board's series of votes and direction will leave the county with a modest positive fund balance after the one‑time set‑asides; the finance director said final audited numbers will be available later in the year.

Ending

Commissioners closed the final FY2022 budget work session having allocated ARP funds for nonprofits, approved the YMCA planning allocation, added LOSAP funding, set aside initial capital funding for three high‑school turf fields, approved initial EMS FTE hires and agreed to a modest 0.3% COLA. Staff will return with firm turf estimates, final EMS operational modeling, and the audited year‑end fund balance for any further adjustments.