Commissioners agree to add ALS architectural-and-engineering funding to FY16 CIP with county oversight

St. Mary’s County commissioners on March 16 approved adding architectural-and-engineering (A&E) funding into the FY16 capital improvement program for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) facility, but they attached conditions: the project will be managed as a county project, staff will work with county planning and with George Erickson to seek a site that supports future growth, and commissioners want a memorandum of understanding (MOU) before significant additional funding.

Commissioners voiced concern that the 2-acre parcel purchased by the ALS organization is inadequate for future growth and parking and that a 6,000-square-foot building and four vehicle bays would not meet long-term needs. One commissioner said the organization “is at a 6,000 square foot facility ... they need a 1,000 foot training area” and that “500 square feet is not practical for training,” describing operational constraints and need for sleeping rooms, parking and expansion room.

Several commissioners and staff supported funding A&E now so design work can begin while site options are explored and while volunteer-run groups move through land or ownership choices. The board discussed making the A&E funding a county project so county procurement, property search and an MOU could help the ALS unit secure an appropriate location. County staff and commissioners estimated an A&E budget in the range of $160,000–$173,000; the meeting repeatedly referenced an estimated A&E request of roughly $170,000 (figures given alternately as $160,000 and $172,864/172,864). Commissioners said the figure would be entered as a county project and that staff should coordinate the A&E work through George Erickson.

Commissioners also discussed the operational timeline: ALS leaders said they may need to vacate existing facilities within a few years, increasing the urgency to secure an appropriately sized site. Commissioners asked staff to explore county property near the government campus — including behind the armory and near the sheriff’s office and Maryland State Police property — as potential sites, with the county performing site identification and procurement support.

Ending: The board directed staff to include the A&E amount in the FY16 CIP as a county-managed line item, to develop an MOU with the ALS provider, and to work with George Erickson to identify alternative sites suitable for long-term growth.