As new members of St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners continue to get acclimated to their new roles, complex issues demand their attention. The board made some hefty decisions at its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 21, each member voicing their stance on legislative proposals and making a call on a new building code in the county.
Not much discussion was needed for the full board to support the addition of a Correction Officer’s Bill of Rights, but more talk revolved around the proposal to allow a “beer fest” at Historic St. Mary’s City in the spring. The biggest concern was the somewhat remote location with little nearby lodging and the threat of impaired drivers on the roadways following such an alcohol-based event.
Samuel Baldwin, HSMC Foundation Chairperson, told the board at the Dec. 7 public forum that the event would be similar to the successful Wine Fest at Sotterly and would increase tourism in the county. He asked that the newly crafted statute be included in the 2011 legislative proposals and on Tuesday the board showed their support in a 4-1 vote
Commissioner Jarboe’s nay, he explained, followed approval of a $10,000 grant award from the state for prevention of underage and binge drinking earlier in the same meeting.
Three other legislative proposals involved the Metropolitan Commission, its internal operation and its relationship with the county. The proposals were based on METCOM Task Force recommendations and were supported by the BOCC.
One proposal makes it clear that METCOM employees and board members are subject to the St. Mary’s County Public Ethics Ordinance in addition to the state’s ethics accountability that it currently upholds. Another called for amendments to the County Code, making it unnecessary for the BOCC to approve newly created employment positions or METCOM’s Capital Improvement Plan and budget.
Jarboe suggested that the requirement of the county’s full faith and credit for METCOM’s borrowing, then, also be removed.
The last METCOM-focused legislative proposal revolved around the task force’s recommendation that the positions of Director and General Counsel be filled by different individuals. Currently, Jacquelyn V. Meiser plays both roles for the water and sewer company and has a law practice based in California, Md.
County Attorney George Sparling, on hand to answer questions and give the board advice on the legalities of the proposals, said in the contracted role of METCOM’s General Counsel, Meiser had billed for $58,000 last year. Sparling and County Administrator John Savich indicated that whoever acts as attorney for METCOM does not work full-time.
Many have come to the board to speak on Meiser’s behalf, saying she is an excellent leader and urging that this proposed mandate could have detrimental impacts to METCOM. The board doesn’t disagree, but like the task force, seeks to “avoid any conflicts of interest- either real or perceived.”
State lawmakers will make decisions on these proposals during the January General Assembly session.
The board also decided to keep the current laws on
<!–
–>
