Leonardtown, MD – Results of a consultant’s report were released during the Tuesday, June 27 meeting of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County. The board had allocated $73,000 to a consultant firm to provide a 200 page report on how to streamline the development process. The current process is one in which many developers and builders in private focus groups expressed great frustration.
In compiling the report, confidential interviews were conducted with county staff.
The recommendations from the report were well received by the commissioners, although to streamline the development process brings additional cost, a concern expressed by some commissioners. Board members indicated how to balance improving the process without having to significantly increasing fees would be a challenge.
The consultants were commended for providing the detailed study. “We have our homework to do to make sure the system is streamlined without undue burden to the taxpayers or the stake holders,” Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R – District 2] stated.
In other business, the commissioners approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the county’s Small Business Development Center and the College of Southern Maryland. An estimated 240 small businesses have been helped in St Mary’s County through this program. Businesses at no cost can receive consulting services as they grow their business. Commissioner Todd Morgan [R – District 4] proposed acceptance of the MOA with the county providing $37,000 in support. The motion was passed unanimously.
Contact Martin Fairclough at m.fairclough@thebaynet.com