Our meeting this morning started off with the Invocation and Pledge followed by the approval of the Consent Agenda and minutes from our last meeting. We then approved an unplanned motion to task the Planning Commission to review any new Cannabis facilities in St. Mary’s County.
After that we presented a proclamation for National Agricultural Day.
Our only Main Agenda item today was a decision on the Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee. We approved the resolution creating these groups. The Police Accountability Board will have nine members and at least one member from each Commissioner district.
Moving into County Administrator time, our first item was review of upcoming meeting agendas. Second we approved accepting several roads into the County Highway Maintenance System: an extension of Woodside Court, Festoon Court, an extension of Lilliflora Drive, and Sweetbay Street. Third we heard an update from the Department of Economic Development and all of their efforts for St. Mary’s County—if you have time to go back and watch this portion of our meeting, it is extremely interesting and there is a lot being done in our county. Fourth, we approved the annual grant application for the Local Management Board from the Governor’s Office for Children for $450,451 (with $1,102 County Funds). This money goes specifically to target at-risk children. Fifth we approved a grant application for the FY2023 Senior Rides program for $22,100 with a county match of $10,552 and $3,000 in donations. Our final item of county administrator time was approval of allocating $15,000 from the balance of the COVID funding to support the Health Department’s COVID-19 Partner Appreciation Event.
Next we heard Legislative Updates from our County Attorney’s office. We approved letters of support for HB 268 – Property Tax – Exemptions for Business Personal Property Alterations and SB 632 – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange – Small Business and Nonprofit Health Insurance Subsidies Program.
During Commissioner Time I spoke about St. James Deli re-opening over the weekend, the 4-H Banquet I attended on Saturday, and the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival this Saturday from 12-4 in the Lexington Manor Passive Park—hope to see you there!
We finished the morning in Closed Session to discuss Real Property and Personnel. This afternoon we will reconvene for a Budget Work Session to discuss State Agencies, Nonprofit Grants, and Final Balancing for the Recommended Budget. The budget that we finish with today is what will go to Public Hearing for your comments and input.
