Commissioners add 'Option 2' for adult detention center; direct staff to pursue state funding

At a budget work session of the St. Mary's County Commissioners, staff presented a revised plan for the adult detention center and commissioners gave direction to add the plan labeled “Option 2” to the county’s capital improvement program.

County finance and public‑works staff said Option 2 restructures the project to build two modular “pods” as swing space (one a housing wing, one a medical/infirmary wing) and to phase renovation of the existing facility. Staff told commissioners the change would reduce the immediate need to house inmates offsite during renovation and would improve the county’s eligibility for up to a 50% state funding match on grant‑eligible portions of the project, provided the project and design meet state criteria and funding benchmarks.

Staff described tradeoffs: the renovation‑only approach would require…