Commissioners earmark $3.15 million in impact fees for future school sites; Fairlead Academy funding moved to FY2014

St. Mary's County commissioners instructed staff to include $3,150,000 in the FY2013 capital improvement plan for future school site acquisitions and to use accumulated school impact fees to fund that purchase.

The directive followed a presentation from county finance staff explaining that the Board of Education had submitted its budget on March 1 and that the county had approximately $6 million in unused impact fees that could be applied. “That makes sense to move the future site acquisition to proceed in 2013 since the impact fees are there,” a commissioner said during the discussion; staff confirmed the impact fees were the intended source.

Why it matters: Commissioners and county staff said moving the purchase authority into FY2013 would allow the school system to be aggressive in site searches while prices remain reasonable and would not require new general‑fund borrowing.

Fairlead Academy: The Board of Education requested funding for Fairlead Academy in FY2013; commissioners discussed deferring that construction request by one year and, after discussion, indicated they were “comfortable with moving it out to 2014.” County staff noted the Fairlead project request remains roughly a $1,200,000 project and that the BOE had asked for some design funding to avoid losing a full year if the project moves forward.

Commissioners said they would communicate the board’s direction to the BOE and review any final changes during upcoming budget sessions; the impact‑fee commitment provides a funding path for acquisition separate from the general obligation borrowing plan.

Next steps: County staff will show the $3,150,000 school site acquisition line in the FY2013 CIP funded by impact fees and report back during the next budget review with potential design funding options for Fairlead if the board chooses to allow limited FY2013 design money.