October 5, 2021 Commissioner Update:
We started off today’s meeting with the Invocation and Pledge followed by approving the Consent Agenda. We then presented four proclamations; National 4-H Week, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Case Management Recognition Week and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
After that we had a presentation for the annual Commission for People with Disabilities Award Ceremony. The awards program is intended to promote awareness and to recognize the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations that improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in St. Mary’s County. The winners are:
- Joe St. Clair – Volunteer
- Texas Roadhouse – Notable Employer
- Debra Bowles – Care Partner
- Crystal Haislip and the Arc of Southern Maryland – Innovative Program
- Mary Randall(posthumus) – Vick Brown Award
- Jahaun Lee – Vicki Brown Award
The Vicki Brown award is given to an individual with a disability that enjoys all aspects of life, is a role model and inspiration for others, and participates in the advancement of barrier free access for all.
Moving into County Administrator time, our first item was review of upcoming meeting agendas. We will not have a meeting on October 12th. Second we approved developing a career ladder for the Station Clerk position within the Sheriff’s Office—this will cost $18,000 and will be absorbed in the Sheriff’s Office budget. Third we approved a categorical budget adjustment for the Board of Education for the purchase of new equipment—this is a move of $40,065 from Other Instructional Costs to Career/Technology Supplies for the purchase of a Haas TL Series Toolroom Lathe machine. Fourth we approved Metropolitan Commission (METCOM) bonds in the amount of $10,700,000—we previously approved this application back in August and it is anticipated that this Department of Housing and Community Development loan will close in December. Fifth we reviewed the County Administrator recommendations for the American Rescue Act Funding Allocation and approved additional $608,120 of funding to the Fire Departments. This discussion got rather “heated” and Commissioner Hewitt accused me of not wanting to support our volunteer Fire Departments. I took huge offense to this and thankfully Commissioner Hewitt apologized during our Commissioner time. Our final item of business was approval of a resolution to establish regulations to provide for the administration of the accommodation tax—important clarification on this resolution, this is not creating new taxes, this is ensuring that the AirBNB and VRBO properties will pay the same accommodation taxes that other hotels and motels are already paying.
We then took turns pontificating about various subjects during our Commissioner’s Time and then entered into Closed Session to discuss Personnel and Real Property. We re-entered open session and passed three motions:
- To appoint Ronald Payne, Sr. as an Alternate to the Board of Appeals
- To approve the DPWT Director recruitment materials
- To approve salary adjustments for two county employees
We will reconvene this evening for a Public Hearing at 5:30 pm on a Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan Amendment for Property on Tap LLC. We will also have a Joint Meeting with our state delegation at 6 pm to discuss proposed legislation. These meetings are open for public attendance and participation and can be viewed live on Channel 95 or the County’s YouTube channel.
Have a great week!
#CommissionerUpdate
