The St. Mary’s County Commissioners returned to the Chesapeake Building Tuesday morning for a regularly scheduled meeting and a day filled with budget talks.
They proclaimed Sept. 20 to 26 National Resource Conservation and Development Week, honoring the hard work of the local RCD. Commissioner Jarboe, a prior RCD chairman, said, “If it’s good for the environment or good for the community, it’s a resource to help get ‘er done.” Described as a diverse group of local citizen volunteers, the RCD aids with grants that help people with pro-community projects.
The BOCC also proclaimed Sept. Senior Center Month, applauding the efforts of staff at the senior activity centers around the county for providing a wide array of services, programs and activities that enhance the lives of older residents.
SMC Public School Superintendent Dr. Martirano and Director of Fiscal Services Gregory Nourse came before the board seeking approval of categorical fund changes to the Board of Education approved budget. The commissioners approved the requested transfers, but suggested a change. County Administrator John Savich suggested a ‘need to rework the pattern’ urging Nourse and Martirano to bring categorical changes to the board before the money is spent.
The Department of Aging asked for the commissioners’ approval to accept several state grants that will help increase advocacy and education for seniors.
During Commissioners’ Time, Jarboe called attention to Rt. 236, calling it, “probably the worst road in the county.” Mattingly congratulated the participants of the recent Guns ‘n’ Hoses Police vs. Firemen softball tournament and complimented the patriotic efforts of Saint Mary’s County High Schools for their 9/11 remembrance programs.
The board reconvened in afternoon for a Special Budget Work Session. SMC Chief Financial Officer Elaine Kramer laid out the facts at this budget-focused discussion. The goals, per Kramer’s informational handout, consisted of maintaining services, reducing future costs and avoiding layoffs. She presented a phased proposal to handle both immediate and long-term budget dilemmas.
The BOCC approved Phase 1 of the proposal by concensus. This initial phase answers the need to “find” over $3.77 million in direct state cuts announced last month. The county already has a hiring freeze in place that frees up an estimated $750,000, but additional cuts to county departments and internal county government budgets is neccessary. Phase 1 includes a $750,000 cut to the BOE and a drastic decrease in the BOCC’s emergency reserve. Phases 2 and 3 dig deeper, calling for a reassessment of spending across the board.
Kramer called the phases sequential, and suggested it is a listing of, “things we’re considering if we have to. At this point, we are dealing with $3.8 million.” She added, “It’s our intention to spread it fairly.”
With further cuts anticipated, more budget work sessions and departmental meetings are expected in the near future. John Savich said our advantage is having a “very capable finance department [that] is working very smart which provides us with options.”
