Sheriff’s budget requests draw debate over taser funding, modular detention space and school‑bus camera position

St. Mary’s County commissioners spent a lengthy portion of the May 13 budget work session reviewing the sheriff’s non‑grant budget requests and debating how to fund equipment and personnel priorities such as taser replacement, a proposed automated‑enforcement specialist (for school‑bus camera enforcement), K‑9 and medical expenses, and a modular building to provide detention/office space.

Discussion highlights - Taser funding: Commissioners and the sheriff discussed whether taser replacement dollars should come from local asset forfeiture funds or from the general fund. The sheriff argued that equipping deputies is the county’s responsibility; some commissioners preferred keeping the equipment purchase within asset forfeiture (drug forfeiture) so general revenues would not be diverted. No final formal appropriation was recorded in the work session minutes;…