St. Mary’s commissioners approve grants, budget amendments and personnel hire; discuss state highway priorities and legislation

At its March 10 meeting, the St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners approved a series of grants, budget amendments and personnel items, and heard a range of staff reports including a State Highway priority letter and a legislative update.

On grants and budgets: commissioners accepted the FY26 STS (Saint Mary's Transit System) capital grant award totaling $555,018 (approximately $444,000 federal, $27,075 state and $53,255 county match) and approved a budget amendment to cover a local share for a bus-shelter slab repair project. The board also approved the county’s FY27 Gun Violence Reduction Grant (GVRG) application for $72,448 in grant funds with a $28,782 county match; staff said the required county match rose by roughly $19,925 from the number in the January budget. Commissioners approved returning $150,000 of expiring FAA FY23 entitlement funds as requested by the Washington Airports District Office.

On community programs and personnel: the board adopted a resolution to pay tipping fees for up to 100 tons of waste to support Christmas in April’s revised multi‑day format, and approved an employment contract to hire Edward Moreland as the county EMS chief.

On transportation priorities and legislation: DPW&T staff reviewed the county’s State Highway Administration Consolidated Transportation Program priority letter (deadline April 1) and highlighted top unfunded and safety projects; commissioners requested edits to call out opposition to a proposed State Highway plan to remove a southbound turn lane on Route 235. Deputy County Attorney John Houser updated the board on state legislation, noting SB357 (gaming device permitting for local jurisdictions) had moved with amendments that narrow scope and set a July 1 effective date; staff said the county may need to decide which local body will administer permitting if the bill becomes law.

All motions recorded in the meeting were adopted by voice vote unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: approved (voice vote)
- Letter of support for St. Mary’s County Historical Society MHT grant: authorized (voice vote)
- Ordinance amendment to allow use type 28 (nonmedical daycare) in the RCA overlay: approved (effective upon Critical Area Commission approval)
- FY27 GVRG grant application (State’s Attorney’s Office): approved; grant $72,448 requested, county match $28,782 (additional county funds required vs. January budget)
- FY26 STS capital grant award acceptance: approved ($555,018)
- Budget amendment: local funding $114,456 for bus shelter slab repair: approved
- FAA entitlement return ($150,000): approved
- Resolution to pay up to 100 tons tipping fees for Christmas in April: approved
- Employment contract for EMS chief Edward Moreland: approved

The board concluded commissioner time with reminders about a public hearing on the excise tax and an MDOT information session on the Route 235 project.