St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 27 Apr 2021

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From YouTube: 4/27/21 Budget Public Hearing

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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our public hearing for the recommended fiscal.

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Year, 2022 budget as part of our budget hearing process, we are holding three public hearings.

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Today, constant yield first constant, yield tax rate, that's a real property tax increase.

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Two saint mary's county fees and charges, a asian human services, northern and garvey senior center.

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Activity fees and room rental b, emergency services, billing transport, medicare, medicare, transport fees,.

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And c recreation and products, activity, fund fees and three, the fiscal year, 2022 recommended budget.

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Thank you for participation in this very important aspect of our county business.

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I'm randy guy president county commissioners on behalf of the county commissioners.

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I welcome you and joining us in person are by teleconference, as well as those who are at home.

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Watching on channel 95 or the county's.

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Youtube channel now I would like to introduce the other commissioners, commissioner, eric colvin.

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Representing the first commissioner district, which includes ridge, piney point and st georges.

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Island good evening, commissioner, mike hewitt, representing the second commissioner district.

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Which includes leonard town and hollywood good evening, commissioner john o'connor, representing.

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The third commissioner district, which includes charlotte hall, 7th district golden beach and.

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Mechanicsville good evening and commissioner todd morgan rose in the 4th commissioner district.

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Which includes lexington park some of california great miles and some of hollywood.

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At this time, any commissioners have uh something like any opening remarks of any kind.

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Anybody, let's just get going guys, let's be long night, my daughter's birthday already wished.

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Her happy birthday, so there you go well, nothing being said: let me introduce the county staff who.

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Will assist us tonight, dr rebecca bidgetter, county administrator and moderator for tonight's hearings.

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Thank you, jeanette cudmore, our chief financial officer, is directing in front of me. Thank you.

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Alisa cassis, our communications director will receive incoming calls for the hearings tonight.

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Good evening sharon ferris is our recorder timekeeper.

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And amy carter, our video meter producer behind the glass filming tonight's proceedings.

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I'd also like to thank all of our county staff who are working behind the scenes tonight.

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To make this hearing a success, ladies and gentlemen, before you tonight is a proposed.

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Proposed budget of 293 million dollars, we remain committed to our priorities of public safety.

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Education infrastructure, providing quality programs and the services to our community.

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Our job as county commissioners is to continue to address the needs of our community.

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And responsibly manage the funds you have entrusted in us, you may have watched one of.

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Our budget work sessions on saint mary's, county channel, 95 tv, the county's, youtube channel or.

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Even follow the progress in the newspapers tonight is your opportunity to share your thoughts about.

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The recommended budget, we would like to hear your recommendations and we will consider your request.

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We understand there are differences of opinions. The commissioners don't all feel the same way.

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About each item, but what is important is that we listen and respect each other's point of view.

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I will now ask jeanette cudmore our cfo to present an overview of the proposed budget and then dr.

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Bridget will guide us through our hearings tonight. Thank you very much for being here.

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Thank you, commissioner. President guy, there are three public hearings tonight.

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The constant yield tax rate, the county fees and changes and the fy 22 recommended budget.

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Starting with the general fund revenues, the majority of the general fund revenues for.

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The county comes from property tax and income tax. The information used for calculating both.

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Projections comes from the state property tax assessments are received in november.

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And real property assessments are updated when the constant yield letter arrives in february.

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The assessments are multiplied by the county's tax rate for the revenue estimate, the county's.

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Homestead percentage remains at 3 percent and this limits the growth on primary residences.

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The county received the final income tax receipts for tax year 2019.

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In january and converts this to fiscal year, tax year, 2019 was 7 percent higher than tax year. 18.

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With tax year 18 and 19 being outside the range of change in the past years, we are.

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Using an average of six years from tax year, 2014 through 19, providing an average of 5.5 percent.

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A 3.5 percent growth was used and was applied to out years in calculating the revenue estimate.

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For fy22, we remain conservative due to the information received from the state.

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Is prior to the pandemic and the rate increase in tax year 2020. tax year, 21.

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And 22 is used for the fy 22 estimate, along with an additional 6 million dollars for unallocated.

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Penalties and interest received from the state included in the fy 22 recommended revenues is.

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22 million for federal allocation of the american rescue act. This is non-recurring grant funds total.

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Revenues are projected to increase by 16 percent, excluding the use of unassigned fund balance.

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The unassigned fund balance was 33 million dollars as of june 30 2020. To maintain our policy a 15.

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Reserve to race revenue ratio, the county could use 11 million dollars in their fy 22.

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Budget, this budget includes 5 million dollars for non-recurring general fund expenditures.

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And peco to the solid waste and recycling fund for replacement trailers and excavators.

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Also, 1.2 million is being used for the low sap trust in the emergency services fund.

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Revenues, estimated and budgeted are used for st mary's county needs and services.

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This time last year we were talking about the closures and what county initially was doing.

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The commissioners took immediate action and appropriated 3 million from the fy.

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2019 fund balance to provide funding for the employees and citizens during the pandemic.

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Fy 2019 fund balance to provide funding for the employees and citizens during the pandemic.

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The cares funding was received in june and fema opportunities came next over 22 million dollars.

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In grants have been received to date, the funding provided broadband and improved teleworking.

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Grants to small businesses, relief to restaurants and hotels and provided.

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Funding for personal protection, paramedics and vaccination support for citizens.

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The rates for property, tax and income tax remain the same in this budget.

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This recommended budget includes the revenue and expense budget needed.

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To start spending the non-recurring 22 million american rescue, the commissioners.

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Funding priorities remain to be education, public safety and county government infrastructure.

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The american rescue act was approved on march 13th and we are expecting more information on may 10th.

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On how the funds can be allocated in the timing, when funds will be received, early information.

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Indicates that half will be received now and the balance next year with spending deadlines.

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Set for december 2024, current allocations in this recommended budget are for five health.

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Department positions continue the funding for the county and the sheriff nurse and scholarships for.

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The college of southern maryland students who are experiencing hardship with the pandemic.

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This slide shows the growth in the county. Over the last 20 years, the population increased by.

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Approximately 26 dollar, twenty six thousand since two thousand three.

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The income tax percent was last increased in 2020 to three point: one: seven percent, the property tax.

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Rate has remained the same since fy 2018.. The number of county employees increased by 66. This.

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Recommended budget reflects the biggest growth principally for the staffing needed at the new.

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Animal shelter and the number of paid positions in the emergency services billing fund to supplement.

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Our current volunteer rescue in the county sheriff employees increased by 136 positions.

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60 since 2003 this recommended budget includes 36 new positions, principally for the addition to.

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The existing adult detention center, the board of education employees increased by 488 since 2003.

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Overall increase to county sheriff and board of education employees continues the commissioner's.

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Commitment to providing critical public safety and quality education to the citizens.

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More services are being requested by citizens. These services cost more to operate and maintain.

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As part of the county's annual budget process, a five-year operating budget is completed through fy.

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2026 includes the cip operating impacts for county facilities. Debt service is included in this budget.

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Based on the latest debt capacity, completed with estimated increase to 18 million dollars and 27.

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Currently, the fy 22 budget for the board of education includes 2.6 million over the prior year.

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And exceeds the required maintenance of effort. The current projection for saint mary's county.

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And fy 2030 will require the county to fund 138 million legislation pushed out the minimum funding.

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For counties from fy 22-23 no required increase for saint mary's county based on the minimum wage.

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Legislation, the county scales need to meet the minimum hourly wage of 15 by fy 2025. This budget.

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Has additional phased-in funding for the county's hourly scale in the recreation and park scale.

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Staying competitive with our neighboring counties, employee compensation packages is critical to.

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Recruiting qualified employees and retention of our current employees, this budget includes.

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The final year of the 3.71 market increase for our non-sworn employees, approved in the fy 2020 budget.

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Funding is included in this budget for a one-step merit increase for county employees and equivalent.

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To county agencies, as already mentioned, the scales are increasing for the minimum wage for the hourly.

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Employees by two point: nine seven percent in the recreation park scale by six point: three: eight.

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Percent to meet the minimum required increase of twelve dollars and fifty cents per hour.

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The state approved advertisement was included in the newspaper for the real property tax increase.

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As the commissioner's assessments increase, the constant yield tax rate decreases.

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To provide the same revenue as the prior year, the constant yield tax rate is 0.829.

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Which is 0.0188 to lower than the current rate of 0.8478, adopting the constant yield tax rate would.

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Reduce the general fund operating revenue by 2 million four hundred and seventy thousand four.

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Hundred and fifty four dollars the proposed real property tax rate in this recommended.

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Budget is point eight four, seven, eight, the state department of assessments and taxation website.

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Shows st mary's county as having one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.

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As part of the fy 22 budget process, three departments submitted proposed rate increases.

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Primarily to cover costs for activities or service provided aging and human services, with the opening.

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Of the new garvey senior center reviewed their current rates and proposed to increase various.

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Room rentals and maintenance fees, adding a security deposit and renting the banquet room.

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For three hours will be a cost of three hundred dollars. Hourly rates for on-site support staff.

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Will range from fifteen to fifty dollars per hour, part of the new emergency service billing fund.

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Fees will be charged for transport and medicare transport fees are based on the service provided.

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Paramedic ambulance transport is 650, basic life support is 425 higher level. Critical care is 700.

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This new fee structure will be a soft billing to citizens. The revenue will.

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Cover the cost of 38 positions needed in the county to supplement current rescue volunteers.

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The recreation and parks activity fund has proposed increased fees. This includes various.

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Fees at the hollywood recreation center sports programs in camps, increased costs to operate.

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The programs and staff are the reason for this change, primarily for the mandated minimum wage.

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Here is the summary of expenditures for all operating funds. On the left-hand side, the county's.

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Operating funds are made up of the general fund, which funds most of the county's expenditures. The.

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Enterprise funds are self-supporting and operate like a business and the special revenue fund.

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Used dedicated resources to pay for expenses, the emergency services billing fund is new.

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With this fy 22 budget, excluding the use of fund balance and grant revenue, county's general fund.

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Allocates approximately 44 to the board of education and over 20 percent is allocated.

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To the sheriff's office on the right hand, side are the operating funds from independent boards. These.

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Are principally paid for from state funds, funds and tuition for the college of southern maryland.

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The fy 22 budget continues to use a five-year operating budget developed based on trends from.

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Past years for revenues and expenses, the plan uses estimated recurring costs that will be incurred.

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In future fiscal years, such as debt service expenditures from our capital improvement.

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Projects, debt capacity, calculation and employer costs for retiree health operating budgets.

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From the capital improvement projects allow the county to budget for additional employees.

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And costs for maintenance and utilities for expanded facilities.

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Priorities of the commissioners continue to be public education and public safety.

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Using recurring revenues for recurring expenditures and being disciplined in the use.

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Of county reserves allows the county to maintain a healthy fund balance. This fund balance can help.

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The county weather negative revenue results and avoid sudden disruption or elimination of services.

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Plus allowing time for a plan, a strong fund balance allows the county to address emergency.

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Issues like tropical storms, winter weather and new and now pandemics, by using fund balance to help.

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Pay for needed expenses recommended by our health department and emergency services for the citizens.

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Of st mary's county, the fy 22 general fund recommended budget is approximately 16 more than.

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The prior year funding increases are from county departments, which includes the 22 million for the.

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American rescue act grant funding sheriff's budget is increasing approximately 6 million dollars.

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To include funding for the 36 positions, primarily 20 for the adult attention center edition.

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Board of education includes 2.6 million more than the prior year. 2.5 percent merit increase.

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For their employees and debt service increases by approximately 2.4 million compared to fy 2021.

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The full year principal and interest for the upcoming 30 million dollar bond sale.

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Funding for the county departments include replacement vehicles being funded by the.

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County's fy 2020 fund balance approximately 2.5 million dollars. 54.25 positions are included in.

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The fy 22 budget, primarily 12 for the new animal, shelter and 38 for the new.

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Emergency service billing fund to supplement our current revenue, current rescue volunteers.

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The sheriff's office total budget, including grants, is 5.9 million more than the fy 2021.

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This budget includes 36 positions principally for staffing, the addition to the adult detention.

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Center in promotional ranks for law and corrections and related costs, 16 vehicles.

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Are being replaced using the fy 2020 fund balance costing 866 thousand eight fifty seven.

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Although enrollment decreased to 16 355, the county increased the board of education's.

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Funding recurring funding by 2.5 percent, bringing the county funds to 112.2 million state mandated.

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Maintenance of effort required the county to fund the board of education at the same level as the.

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Prior year, total request was over 118 million for the negotiated agreements for employees, increased.

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Transportation, compensation in the use of the county's fund balance for non-recurring costs.

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The college of southern maryland's budget is being funded at maintenance of effort at 4.6 million and.

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270 000 for scholarships, the library's funding increased to fund a one-step merit increase.

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Health insurance and utility increase for the new library total over three million dollars.

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The department of health is over 3.3 million when you include the funding from the american rescue.

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Act for five positions: other state agencies are receiving over 3.6 million of county.

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Funds combined principally the board of elections, alcohol beverage board social services and funding.

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For the local office of the state department of assessment and taxation funded at 50 percent,.

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The fy 22 capital budget is 54.7 million, decreased by over 24 million compared to the fy 2021 plan.

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The fy 23 through 27 capital improvement plan, totals 255.1 million, leveraging state and federal.

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Resources of 84.6 million, we look at the five-year capital expenditures and its impact on operating.

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Budget we also review the funding of the capital projects and its impact on the debt service, which.

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Is budgeted in the operating budget? Our capital plan is well within our affordability policy.

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Airport improvements, total project in fy 22 is 8.3 million, leveraging 4.3 million in federal funds.

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Other notable projects are the mechanicsville elementary school.

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Limited renovation at 7.9 million and land preservation at 7.5 million.

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Two capital improvement project affordability ratios are reviewed.

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We are below the policies for both. The first ratio is debt service, as a percent of revenue.

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Which should be below 10 percent? The range in the plan to 2027 is 5.3 to 5.86 percent.

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The second ratio is dead service as a percent of the assessed value which.

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Should be below 2.15 percent, including the debt of metcom, the range in the plan to 2027 is 1.85.

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To 2.13, we currently plan to close on 30 million of bond funding in may ratings from.

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The presentations made on april 14th and 15th are due this week. The general fund budget includes.

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The full year debt service payment for the sale in fy 22 of approximately 2.1 million dollars.

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Timing of future borrowing is based on cash flow based on when the projects are actually completed.

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The next steps in our budget process is to consider citizen input and update any changes.

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From the legislative session that just ended public comments received tonight through may.

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4Th will be considered the last two budget work sessions are scheduled for may 11th and may 18th.

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The fy 22 budget must be approved on or before june 1st.

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Approval is planned for may 25th. Dr bridget will now conduct the three hearings.

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Thank you, ms cudmore. Any questions. Commissioners, are you ready for the.

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The hearing instructions are you ready to go okay great tonight, the commissioners will.

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Receive input from citizens on three different budget items, one constant yield tax rate, two.

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St mary's county fees and charges for aging and human services, northern and garvey senior.

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Center activity, fees and room rental, emergency services, billing transport and medicare.

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Transport fees and recreation and parks, activity, fund fees and then number three is the fy 22.

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Recommended budget here are the guidelines for the commissioners of saint mary's county 2020,.

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Budget public hearing, if you wish to address the commissioners for one or.

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More of the budget hearings, please call the teleconference line at 301-475-4200.

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Extension 1234 and your name will be added to the comment list. When the hearing you signed.

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Up to participate in is opened. You will be given an opportunity to speak via the phone conference.

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Those wishing to address the commissioners in person should sign up at the forums located in the.

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Lobby of the chesapeake building located here in leonardtown, due to capacity limits and in order to.

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Allow all our all those who wish to speak the commissioners in person to have an opportunity.

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We ask that once you've made your remarks that you exit the room, so others can participate if you've.

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Signed up to make remarks for multiple hearings, we ask that you re-enter the room when it's time for.

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Your hearing, all speakers will be allotted three minutes to address the commissioners.

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At the end of the three minutes, our communications director, elisa casas, will let you know that your.

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Time has expired. We ask that you respect the three minute time limited order to give all those who.

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Wish to participate an opportunity to be heard. The public hearing is being televised, live on st.

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Mary's county government, tv 95 and the county's youtube channel. If you should miss any part of.

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The hearing it will re-air on channel 95 this saturday may 1st at approximately 9 p.m, and will.

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Remain available for on-demand viewing on the saint mary's county government youtube channel.

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Citizens were also provided an opportunity to address the commissioners via video.

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Submissions. But because we didn't receive any submissions for hearing number one on the constant.

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Yield rate we'll now begin accepting comments through our teleconferencing system. Ms costas.

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Do we have any callers, dr bridget commissioners? It doesn't appear that we do, but let me check in with.

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Our conference system, please public, hearing, call center. This is michelle michelle. This is alisa.

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Costas, I'm calling to see do we have any call-in comments from the public for the commissioners of.

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St mary's county public hearing number one for the constant yield tax rate. We do not have any callers.

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For number one, thank you michelle, dr bridget. We have no callers for public hearing number one.

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Thank you, miss casas sharon. You have the sign-in sheets, so we have one person signed up for the.

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Constant yield tax rate debray good evening thanks for joining us. Thank you, deborah lexington park.

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Commissioners, thank you for holding the hearing tonight and it's good to see you all again.

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I'm here to ask you to lower our property tax rate. I'm sure you could expect that when you saw.

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Me come up um at a minimum, the 2.3 percent to the reduced rate of eight point or point eight.

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Two: nine: to maintain the constant yield your budget shows. You have a twenty percent reserves.

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Where only fifteen percent is needed, so you are washing cash.

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The people need to keep their own money since we are facing an inflation rate at nine percent.

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And it's only the first hundred days of the new democrat administration last night, the.

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State delegation announced the county would be receiving quite a bit of money for covid relief.

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Other projects throughout the county, so that is more money coming your way from the taxpayer.

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Based on this, you do not need the 2.4 million in additional revenues from keeping the tax.

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Rate the same after all, we know we, the citizens, the taxpayer, knows better how to spend our money.

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Please show you she really care for us and lower our tax burden. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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Elisa, do you have anyone in person uh that any additional people to speak for this hearing.

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Dr bridget appears that we do one moment good evening. Thank you for calling in to participate.

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In the commissioners of st mary's county public hearing number one for the constant yield tax rate.

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Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and, at the end,.

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Of your three minutes, I will let you know your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your.

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Phone state, your name and your address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now. Good.

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Good evening you're live on the air with the commissioners. You may begin your remarks now.

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Commissioners, this is janice walthauer speaking as an individual first thanking you for providing.

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Funding for the a e study for the ymca in lexington park. This is a transformational step.

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Toward giving youth and the community something to do, I hope that accelerating it can happen too.

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For the 2022 budget continue with the projection of revenues of 5.5.

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I don't understand the rationale for dropping it to 3.5, based on that being sure what the financial.

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Impact of the pandemic will bring and then you're planting a surplus increase of 523 percent.

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Thanks commissioners, colvin and o'connor for understanding that scrolling away that money.

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To reserve funding where it will not have the direct impact on people that's needed now.

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Does not reflect the position for the people increasing the projection to just one percent more.

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Would put millions in the budget and would help provide the 3.7 million needed for education.

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The pandemic made us aware of how important education is and the school system employees bore.

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The brunt of keeping things moving accolades to all they had to build the airplane, while in flight.

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And be concerned about their lives and their families, you often reiterate that yearly you give.

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Much more than is required for education, and that is commendable well, every day, night and weekend.

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Educators give much more than required and should be commended too one hand washes another. They need.

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To be compensated for their work on par with the surrounding counties, dr smith deserves respect.

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And appreciation for speaking up for the people he leads morale. Boosting is worth its rate in.

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Gold, too, provide, and also continue to consider the project you're. Considering uh for more a memorial.

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To recognize sheriff joseph lee somerville, our first black sheriff elected in our economy and.

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And uh state and sixth in the nation, and now that hb 745 has passed, please expand voting access by.

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Establishing three early voting centers north central and south county- that would be wonderful.

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And I think it's something that people would would appreciate. uh You speak about protecting our rural.

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Character, much of that still exists here, but we have some urban like areas lexington park being.

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One of them, when budgeting for 2022 and beyond, consider that equity and meeting the needs of.

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All of the people must take center stage in our democracy and thank you for your service.

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Thank you, dr walthauer. We appreciate your comments. We have number another caller now.

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Good evening and thank you for calling in to participate for the commissioners of st.

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Mary's county public hearing number one for the constant yield tax rate.

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Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and at the end of.

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The three minutes I will let you know your time has expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

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State your name and address for the record and good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

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Good evening you're live with the commissioners. Would you like to address the commissioners this.

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Evening, yes, thanks commissioners, I appreciate you guys holding the public forum open for longer than.

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30 seconds so that people can talk last two public forums you had you held them open for.

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30 seconds when there was no one uh immediately pending on the line, it was closed. So I appreciate.

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You guys keeping this open for longer than 30 seconds tonight. Thank you. Excuse me, sir.

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Thank you for calling. Could you please give your name and address for the record william bryant.

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Mechanicsville maryland, we are in a housing price bubble thanks to people fleeing cities from crime.

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And the call people are buying homes in suburban areas, thanks to fellow work and teleschool for.

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Their children, this has led to increased property values. The county is going to collect millions.

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More from residents because of inflated assessment rates, they are also spending more on unnecessary.

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Projects when the housing market calms and assessed values decrease, will you then spend less.

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Or accustomed to this new income, will us then ask for a tax increase to total the amount of the.

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Previously inflated collected value based upon the county savings and the challenges of the previous.

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Year to homeowners and businesses alike, due to the cost, I would like to ask the commissioners while.

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Not a rate change do not collect the automatic tax increase due to the increase in property values.

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And to keep those dollars in people's pockets, um while, in addition to the property tax rate, I want.

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To touch on the commercial tax that you guys did not allow anyone to speak at at the last.

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Public forum, um you guys, are not proposing a tax cut, but tax relief for certain businesses.

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In certain areas of the county, they have to live in the or have businesses in those areas.

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And be able to invest the minimum 25 000., you say that quote: many properties have been in existence.

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For many years and would greatly benefit from improvements such as building renovation, painting.

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Facade improvements, streetscape improvements such as landscaping and science. This designation.

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Opens funding opportunities and programs aimed at increasing the quality of life in challenged areas.

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The target area for this incentive program is the commercial areas of lexington park.

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Businesses meeting these requirements will not have to pay a higher amount in property taxes.

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For a set time of either seven to ten years, imagine owning a business only one tenth of.

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A mile outside the target area imagine only being able to invest twenty four thousand.

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Dollars and not twenty five thousand, and thus not be eligible for this tax relief. This last.

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Year has an incredible burden financially due to the cost, but because you are in hollywood,.

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Or valley league, the county deems your business not worthy of this tax relief. If tax relief works.

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In some areas, why would it not work in others? Would other county businesses not benefit from.

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This program after these locations invest in their businesses. Will their tax assessed values.

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Only increase then so that the county can then collect more money from them in seven to ten years.

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Imagine what homeowners could do with tax relief? Perhaps they could even quote.

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Increase the quality of life in challenged areas and that's my comment on the property tax rate.

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Mr brian, thank you for calling and giving your remarks this evening.

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Michelle hi michelle, it's alisa costas, I'm calling to check one further time. Please.

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Do we have any additional callers for our teleconference line for the commissioners.

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Of st mary's county public hearing number one for the constant yield tax rate, there are no further.

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Callers for public hearing number one. Thank you michelle, dr bridget. We have no more callers on.

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Our teleconference line for this public hearing- thank you, ms casas commissioners, just note that.

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The public comment period will remain open for seven days, so should the public wish to send an.

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Email to csmc at st mary's md.com or through u.s mail at the commissioners at p.o box, 653.

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Leonardtown commissioners, this will close your public hearing number one.

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Public hearing number two: we will now open the next public hearing for comment. If you wish to.

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Address the commissioners for the hearing, please call the teleconference line at 301 301-475-4200.

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To sign up those wishing to address the commissioners in person should sign up.

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On the forms located in the lobby of the chesapeake building located.

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Here at the leonardtown office, due to capacity limits and in order to allow all those who wish.

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The opportunity for the commissioners in person we wish that, once you have made your.

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um Remarks that you exit the room, this is the commissioners of saint mary's, county public.

D

Hearing number two: st mary's county fees and charges for aging and human services.

D

Northern and and garvey senior center activity fees and room rental, emergency services, billing.

D

Transport and medicare transport fees and recreation and park activity fund fees.

D

Citizens were provided an opportunity to address the commissioners via video submissions, but.

D

Because we did not have any video submissions for the commissioners of saint mary's county budget.

D

Public hearing number two saint mary's county fees and charges. We will now begin accepting comments.

D

Through our teleconferencing system, ms costas, thank you, dr bridget commissioners. It doesn't.

E

Appear that we have any callers for public hearing number two I'll check in with our call center.

F

Thank you publicly hearing call senator michelle michelle. This is alisa costas. I'm calling to check.

E

And see, please do we have any public calls on our teleconference line for the commissioners.

E

Of saint mary's county public hearing number two, st mary's county fees and charges for aging.

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And human services, northern and garvey senior activity fees, room, rental, emergency services,.

E

Billing transport and medicare transport fees and recreation and parks, activity, fund fees.

F

There are no callers for public hearing number two. Thank you. Michelle.

E

Dr bridget, at this time we have no callers for public hearing number two. Thank you. Miss casas.

D

We will now begin accepting in-person comment from those who have signed up to speak in person.

D

On our sign-in sheet is deb ray st mary's county fees and charges hello again.

K

Thank you, hello again, commissioners deb ray lexington park. um I'd like to thank commissioner.

G

O'connor for answering some questions before the hearing, so I don't have any comments on the.

G

Services or the emergency services, or the recreation and parks fee increases. However,.

G

On the room uh charges, I couldn't find anything to tell me what was the previous charge and what.

G

We're changing it to or why we were changing it. I understand: we've got a new garvey center, but I'd.

G

Like if something could be put up on the website before the end of the uh the comment period closes.

G

So that we know you know what the difference is, I understand there are new uh services that are.

G

Provided at the new center- and you know the cost of cleaning the new center and maintaining it.

G

Has increased compared to the old one, but in the room rates here I just looking at it on.

G

Page 116 in the budget recommendation a activity room one for 20 people, activity; room two for 24.

G

People and the northern social room for 40 people all have the same rate to me. I don't know if we.

G

Should be charging the same rate, where only 20 people can be in a room as a room where 40 people.

G

Can be in, I just recommend you take a look at that, so that's all I have thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

D

Before we close the hearing, miss casas, do we have any additional public comment.

D

For the commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number two saint mary's county.

D

Fees and charges through the teleconferencing system. Thank you. Dr bridget appears that we do.

E

Good evening and thank you for calling in to participate for the commissioners.

E

Of saint mary's county public hearing number two, st mary's county fees and charges, please.

E

Remember you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and, at the end,.

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Of the three minutes, I will let you know your time has expired. Please speak clearly into your.

E

Phone state, your name and your address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now. Good.

E

J

Good evening uh on the topic of the proposed budget is my concern about increasing essential.

J

County spending without regard for cutting non-essential spending, the cip budget is a.

J

Particular concern, as one commissioner said, spending on public safety is a pillar of.

J

Government responsibility, many of the projects in the cip budget are not. You can absolutely.

J

Spend more on something, but cuts must be made elsewhere. Our our crcip spending has this.

J

Akin to running on maxed out credit cards, hardly something a financial advisor would recommend, but.

J

What incentive does government have to be financially far? Government produces no product.

J

It produces nothing; in fact, it only gives what it is taken from others. This social justice is.

J

Very dangerous indeed, on the topic of debt, the saint mary's county debt capacity is analyzed.

J

During the capital improvement process, as the debt to assess value, the county's own.

J

Legal limit is 2.15 percent. Our six-year cip plan shows our debt to assessed value ratio.

J

Ranging from 1.85 to 2.13 percent, our budget plan shows us potentially running less than 8.3.

J

To 0.02 percent from our legally allowed debt limit, this is right from the county.

J

uh Public document would anyone feel comfortable running a home budget on a point: zero, two percent.

J

Death limit, our bordering of the debt limit, is made possible thanks to a thanks to some of our.

J

Egregious vip projects like the fdr boulevard extension 3.7 miles for 50.2 million dollars.

J

That equals a very reasonable 13 million 575 000 per mile. I'm sure we will remain under budget.

J

The california farmer market 1.96 million on top of the nearly 2 million dollars for the.

J

North end, farmers market that was just broken ground on it, truly is a miracle that farmers.

J

Survived before the government farmers market, a regional meat processing plant, 2.7 million dollars.

J

I don't recall the county commissioner, saying that meat processing was a pillar of county government.

J

Until I did the math, I did not realize how much the commissioners were trying to spend of other.

J

People's money on parks and recreation: here's a quick summary from the county budget document 350.

J

000 for the central county park helms beach park, 2.8 million parkland acquisition, 2.5.

J

Park and rec improvement, 4 million recreational facilities or ymca 16 million, shannon farm.

J

3.1 million snow hill park, 6.5 million sports, complex 7.4 million greenox trail phase, eight.

J

4.5 million dollars for 3.7 miles. That's over 1.2 million dollars for a 10 foot, wide bike grip.

J

This total is approximately 47.000 in the cip budget for parks and recreational facilities.

J

The county commissioners would love to tell the taxpayers that these projects are not really.

J

Costing them anything, because many of these funds are state and federal grants. Well, who.

J

Pays state and federal taxes: we do what bothers me more than paying for these local projects.

J

Is what projects in other counties and states are we paying for what bike trail in oregon? Am my.

J

Funding what florida farmers market am? I funding, I wonder, do I know how to spend my money better.

J

Than the government does a certain commissioner prides himself on saying he is not like certain.

J

National politicians who print money away to fund their product tell me: where do you think.

J

The money for these federal grants comes from with the federal government that only collects.

J

Pass of what it spends via taxation, sir, your time has expired. Please wrap up your remarks.

J

Sure I'll wrap up if I print twenty dollars, I'm a felon when the government prints trillions of.

J

Dollars, it's called fiat monetary policy, despite the inflation it causes, which is yet another tax.

J

Attacks on your purchasing power, imagine if the county spent less on non-essentials.

J

Perhaps homeowners could receive some tax relief, like those businesses mentioned earlier.

J

What could our presidents do with more money in their pocket? What kind of community could.

J

We have if the government did not take people's money by the handful and give us crumbs back.

E

Sir, thank you for your marks, and could you please provide your name and address for the record.

J

Store william bryant mechanicsville maryland. Thank you, sir. We appreciate your remarks.

E

Michelle calling in to check one last time this is elisa casas. Do we have any additional callers.

E

On our teleconference line for the commissioners of st mary's county public hearing number two st.

E

Mary's, county fees and charges we have no callers for number two. Thank you michelle, dr bridget. We.

E

Have no more callers on our teleconference line. Thank you. Commissioners. Public hearing number two.

D

Is closed, just a note that, for the public comment, period remains open for seven days for written.

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Comment should the public wish to send an email to csmc at st mary's md.com or through u.s mail.

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To the commissioners at p.o box, 653 leonardtown, 206 50., the third public hearing is public hearing.

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Number three: we will now open the third public hearing for comment. If you wish to address the.

D

Commissioners for this budget hearing, please call the teleconference line at 301, 475 4200.

D

Extension 1234 to sign up those wishing to address the commissioners in person should sign up on.

D

The forms located in the lobby in the chesapeake building, located in this building in leonardtown.

D

Due to capacity limits and in order to allow all those who wish to address the commissioners in.

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Person to have an opportunity to speak, we ask that you have made your remarks and then exit the room.

D

This is the commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number three, the fy.

D

2022 recommended budget citizens were provided an opportunity to address the.

D

Commissioners via video submissions- and we do have two video submissions, commissioners.

D

So we're going to go ahead and and have those videos first, miss casas. Thank you, dr bridget.

L

Hello, commissioners, my name is sarah lorick and I am the choral director at chopticon, high school.

L

I have been in this position for 14 years and in that time I have experienced firsthand the.

L

Life-Changing effect on students who experience an art classroom while it may be obvious to say.

L

My own journey through high school propelled me to become the educator and leader I am today.

L

In a moment, you will hear a brief snippet of a piece from my acceptance speech as smcps teacher.

L

Of the year in 2018.- yes, that's right. Smcps has selected on more than one occasion. In fact,.

L

An arts teacher to represent our amazing county at the highest level of teacher.

L

Leadership, dr smith, and the board of education clearly value the importance of our classes.

L

The frustrations presented at the board of county commissioner meetings in the commissioner.

L

Time segments regarding the choices made by dr smith to potentially reduce or eliminate arts.

L

Athletics, cte, world language or even more drastically. The academy programs was palpable.

L

I share in my frustration of the potential loss of these programs. After all, it deeply affects my role.

L

In the choctacon building and my many students in the choral and avpa programs, I was disappointed.

L

Then exhausted that once again I have to be put in the position to fight for my role in the classroom.

L

But here's where we differ. Commissioners, I trust dr smith. I trust central office and I trust the.

L

Board of education, I trust them when they say that there are choices that have to be made with the.

L

Funds that they have been given, why do I trust them? Because they are the experts on what will.

L

And will not work. I know when to stop and listen to those who have more experience in their field.

L

They have earned their titles. Our programs may be on the topping block because of the.

L

Choices made by smcps, but the crux of this is that those choices should not have to be made.

L

They are the experts, commissioners, I implore you to stop and listen. I assure you. No one is swimming.

L

In a scrooge mcduck pile of gold, and so now back to that snippet as to why you should fully fund.

L

The smcps budget and save our arts programs every day I try to create an environment at chopticon.

L

That is safe, welcoming and more students need a place to find refuge and be heard.

L

The outcome in creating such an atmosphere is a den of fierce learning and high expectations.

L

There is collaboration, there is kindness and there is community this educational mission.

L

To cultivate students filled with integrity initiative and independence through song is.

L

One small portion of the amazing things that happens all over smcps and their arts programs.

L

I am continually challenged and inspired by my students, talents by my colleagues, talents and I'm.

L

Humbled by their dedication and their passion, thank you for listening. I implore you to see.

L

The importance and responsibility of our place in public education, hello, commission, all right.

K

My name is helen, I am eight years old and in the second grade I I think it is important to give.

K

The schools, the funding they need that money will go towards helping students like me, and my friends.

K

I don't want to learn to lose art or music or worse. My school.

K

School to close a lot of people would be sad if that happened.

K

Thank you, mr cole colvin and mr o'conn connor for supporting me and other students and st.

K

County, I hope your friends will change their minds and agree with you. Thank you.

E

Thank you, dr bridget. Those are the only video submissions we have. Thank you appreciate it.

D

And now the fy 22 recommended budget first on our list is denise rycroft.

M

I'm denise rycraft from california maryland. Thank you for letting me speak.

M

Dear commissioners, I'm writing this letter to ask for your support and fully funding the.

M

Budgets for both the saint mary's county sheriff's office and the saint mary's county public schools.

M

It is my understanding that there is sufficient money to fully fund both budgets, so I ask that you.

M

Do the right thing for the citizens of this county and fund the budgets of these vital organizations.

M

In our community, the mission statement for the commissioners of saint mary's county states that.

M

You will be responsible and accountable to the county citizens. This includes supporting programs.

M

For youth families and seniors, as a citizen taxpayer, and a teacher in saint mary's county.

M

I too, promise to be responsible and held accountable for doing my job to engage my.

M

Fifth graders in learning it is my pleasure to help them become better readers, mathematicians.

M

Scientists and socially responsible citizens in our classroom in our school and in our.

M

Community, it is not an easy task, but I strive to lead by example. Every single day this year.

M

Marks my 12th year as a teacher, but for over 13 years prior to this career, I was an accountant.

M

And in fact, I worked alongside mr todd morgan, who can attest to my professionalism and work ethic.

M

I made a decision to change careers and take a 20 000 a year pay cut, because I wanted to make.

M

A difference in the lives of children, even though I am an experienced teacher this year, has been the.

M

Most difficult year for educators because of the pandemic, educators have worked countless hours.

M

Learning new technology preparing lessons to teach both virtual learners and in-person.

M

Learners simultaneously and ensuring our students, social emotional needs, are met.

M

We have also had to teach many students how to access the curriculum through schoology google.

M

Drive in a variety of instructional apps, in order to maintain continuity of learning, I have worked.

M

For free before my official teacher days begin in the morning, and after my official teacher days,.

M

End, including the weekends educators as a whole, strive to be the best for our students, but this.

M

Often comes with a cost time away from our friends and families, loss of quality, sleep and.

M

A plethora of stress-related health issues: this is also a traumatic time for many of our children.

M

Educators, administrators counselors, school nurses, building service workers and support.

M

Staff work hard to become the people. These children can count on every single day.

M

Whether we are physically in a classroom with them, or we are connecting through our computers,.

M

If our budget is not fully funded, the children in our community will suffer even more trauma.

M

What programs will we cut? How do we choose what jobs will be cut? What schools will be closed.

M

Or consolidated what will happen to classroom sizes, what more will be expected of educators.

M

Your future tax-paying citizens are in our schools. Now what losses will you expect them to endure.

M

How will you be responsible and accountable to them? Thank you. Thank you. Next is sarah pinrod.

N

Good evening my name is sarah penrod and, as president, I'm representing the education.

N

Association of saint mary's county, it seems like I find myself here talking to you every single year.

N

It's as if we're always begging our elected leaders to come up with some way to give us.

N

One more dollar perpetually fighting for the last piece of the pie, pitting ourselves against other.

N

Public servants, as if one of us is more deserving than the other well from here on out that won't.

N

Be happening, we've decided enough is enough. Today, eastmac stands with the fraternal order of police.

N

In our fight for the funding all public servants deserve, the pie is blend plenty for everyone.

N

Several solutions for funding have been presented by commissioners, o'connor and colvin.

N

Endless proof exists that revenue is sufficient, the planets are aligned to be.

N

Able to fully fund both the sheriff's office and the board of education. Yet here we are.

N

The fop president and I met with commissioners morgan and hewitt the other day.

N

It was my first time meeting you both, and I really appreciate the time that you took to speak to us.

N

Unfortunately, I must admit that I left that meeting a tad bit bewildered. I didn't really.

N

Receive many answers to my questions, but I did gain a disconcerting feeling that.

N

A lot of the opposition to our funding stems more from a personal contempt.

N

Than fiscal concerns, I really hope that isn't the case, especially after the year, we all had.

N

No, especially after everything that our public servants do for this community.

N

13 months ago we started seeing reports about a deadly virus sweeping the world at an alarming.

N

Rate scared and unsure we closed our schools and hoped it would pass quickly when it became.

N

Clear a couple of weeks wouldn't be enough: our educators set fire to their lesson plans and.

N

Nearly overnight created online curricula that would take our students through two long months.

N

It wasn't perfect, in fact, it was just sort of disastrous, but we made it work.

N

Over the summer, educators throughout the county spent hundreds of hours redesigning curricula.

N

Working harder than ever before, they redefined the word classroom, building entire digital courses.

N

With little to no training our food service workers provided thousands of meals to families.

N

Building service workers risked exposure to prepare our buildings for an opening.

N

That was so far beyond the horizon, who knew it would be another calendar year.

N

When fall arrived, we started a new school year with trepidation and hope, though it wasn't, the.

N

Same through a computer screen, we greeted our students with smiling faces. We talked.

N

About missing friends waved to siblings in the background and met countless dogs and kitties.

N

Students learned how to troubleshoot laptops at the same time as the pythagorean theorem. We.

N

Made it work almost a year after our world changed forever. We opened the doors to students once again.

N

Though the sound of laughter is muffled through masks, ma'am your time has expired.

E

Would you please wrap up your remarks? Excuse me, there's a union president, so she should get five.

B

I get five. Each person has three served regardless. Even the group's.

B

Three minutes: three minutes. Sorry, I tried for you, okay. Thank you. I appreciate that.

N

As we speak towards the end of the weirdest most challenging school year in history, we.

N

Continue to hope for a better upcoming year, we want to experience science labs hands-on. We want.

N

To sit in the bleachers and watch a football game, we want to play kickball in p.e and play.

N

Those dreaded recorders in holiday concerts, our educators, are making it work. Can you thank you.

D

Thank you. Next is austin schultz.

O

Good evening, commissioners, my name is austin schultz from leonardtown.

O

The president of the fraternal war police here for lodge seven representing the hard-working.

O

Men and women of the st mary's county sheriff's office this time last year, the members of the fop.

O

And the community stood before you and urged you to pay the deputies of the saint mary's.

O

County sheriff's office equally and fairly to the counterparts in charles county. We explain.

O

You the importance of pay parity and how we were struggling with offer officer retention.

O

Because of how far behind our counterparts we were in pay after countless meetings, letters.

O

And public forums, you voted unanimously to fund our requests and we thank you for that.

O

Now, unfortunately, we're here again to explain how important it is to maintain our fair and equal pay.

O

For the first time in many years, the st mary's county sheriff's office is fully, if close to.

O

If not fully staffed, there are many reasons for this, one of which is. We are now able to recruit.

O

And retain officers as we have a competitive salary to those jurisdictions that surround us.

O

This year, we as a fraternal order police are truly hoping to come here tonight.

O

To thank you for continuing to support the men and women in blue. Instead, we find ourselves in a very.

O

Similar situation, speaking to you, the importance of maintaining fair pay as our counterparts in.

O

The tri-county area, the major difference is, we are here with the educators, association, standing.

O

Is one both of our organizations are pleading with you to use the tax dollars? You have already.

O

Collected to fully fund our request day in and day out, the deputies and teachers of st mary's.

O

County do their jobs, provide our citizens with the highest quality of public service. We now.

O

Ask you to do your jobs by allocating the funds to provide to our public servants fair and equal.

O

Pay, if our requests go unanswered, the citizens of this county be the ones who suffer by losing.

O

Highly qualified and trained public servants. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Next is helen bailey.

P

Good evening my name is helen bailey and I'm a current junior at chopped.

P

Gun high school, I actually am coming from my chopped gun, softball practice.

P

Well, good evening again my name is helen bailey and I'm a junior at chopticon, high school I've.

P

Been actively involved in choptagon, volleyball track and softball since my freshman year.

P

Sports have given me the opportunity to make many new friendships, establish strong bonds.

P

With coaches and get better as an athlete and as a person playing these high school sports has taught.

P

Me better time management skills and hard work ethic playing sports is more than just a sports.

P

It connects to so many other parts of life, and it teaches valuable lessons that translate on.

P

And off the field and if saint mary's county public schools do not receive the remainder of.

P

Their budget sports is something they will have to go or in order to play, students will have to pay.

P

High school sports are something that myself and many other students and my classmates look forward.

P

To every year, requiring payment to play is not fair and the students that do not have the money.

P

To participate, some athletes are fortunate enough to play travel sports year round, but others do not.

P

Have the extra few hundred dollars to play travel and they rely on high school sports to bring them.

P

Closer to the sports that they love, basically not finding the entirety of saint mary's county public.

P

Schools budget is going to cause a decrease in high school level. Sports participation because.

P

It is something that all students should have the opportunity to try out for. Thank you. Thank you.

D

Karen bailey good evening, thank you for lowering this because I'm short as well.

Q

Here tonight, wearing two hats: one of a parent and one of an elected school board. Member.

Q

And I will remind you that I am one of the few elected officials in this county who actually have.

Q

Children who attend our public schools, so I live in the system daily. This is a school system that.

Q

Offers so much more than just an education smcps offers counseling services, mental health services.

Q

Speech therapy occupational therapy, college admissions and job placement assistance.

Q

The system also offers advanced placement classes, rotc a capstone diploma and 20 different programs.

Q

At the tech center there are programs to help children who, just simply don't like school.

Q

Understand that education is a key to their future and helped them to obtain that high school diploma.

Q

These students are the future leaders of this county. Our students have sports programs choral.

Q

Programs, band orchestra, art, theater, dance: all of these extracurricular activities occur throughout.

Q

The school year, where else are these programs offered in our county separately from the schools.

Q

Right now, nowhere we submitted a reasonable budget requested request this year, based on.

Q

The needs of our students and the future budget that we had planned it took into account county.

Q

Revenues both during our budget preparation and when we negotiated our agreement last january.

Q

January 2020, prior to the pandemic, the negotiated agreement was completed in good.

Q

Faith and in compliance with state laws, while state law does not allow county commissioners.

Q

To participate in negotiations, we did provide a summary of costs. So there's no mistake on what.

Q

What we would need over the next four years the commissioners raised taxes last year.

Q

Based on the stated need for additional funding to meet the negotiated agreement.

Q

And possible impacts of kerwin taxes were also raised to meet other anticipated recurring costs.

Q

Such as expanding local government and staffing for the new detention center and senior center.

Q

The enhanced revenue from the citizens of this county is now here, in addition to the millions.

Q

Of dollars that you're receiving from the federal and state governments for due to the pandemic and.

Q

Yet here we are once again asking for funding. I've been in this current seat for seven years.

Q

And this is only the second time that I've spoken at a budget hearing to advocate for.

Q

Funds for our schools, to be honest, I'm tired of the comments we mismanage, our budget, the teachers.

Q

Are paid too much and that we have hidden money? We have our annual audits they're on our website.

Q

And they clearly show that these comments are false. Unfortunately, say something often enough.

Q

And some people begin to believe it. The fact is that the leadership and accountability that we.

Q

Have right now in our schools is not seen in other systems across the state. I live in this.

Q

School system every day through my children, so I do know firsthand where we are successful and.

Q

Where we fall short school is the framework in the life of a child from the time they enter.

Q

Kindergarten until they graduate, therefore, all of us all leaders share responsibility to ensure our.

Q

Children have the best springboard possible to launch them into life into life. Please work with.

Q

Us I've seen firsthand through my own children's teachers how much time and dedication has been.

Q

Put into education during this school year, it is inspiring to see how your public school teachers.

Q

Have overcome the challenges that they have faced this past year, everyone in the school.

Q

System has worked together to be successful and we now need you to join us in that success. Please.

Q

Help us fund the negotiated agreement. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Sheena turpak.

R

Good evening, commissioners, my name is sheena turpak and I live and work for saint mary's county.

R

I'm speaking on behalf of the saint mary's county sheriff's office and the fraternal order of police.

R

I'm currently a corporal with the agency of which I have been employed for almost 10 years now,.

R

I am also the elected secretary of our local fop lodge. I want to start by acknowledging the.

R

Complex and often challenging work it takes to prepare a county budget. I understand that, but.

R

We, the citizens of saint mary's county, elect you, the county commissioners, to take on this difficult.

R

And grave responsibility. Last february I stood before you at one of these public hearings and.

R

Spoke to you about the blatant pay disparity between saint mary's county sheriff's office,.

R

And the surrounding agencies, specifically charles county and the maryland state police.

R

The men and women appreciated your support, then, and we would like to appreciate your.

R

Support now, the vote over a year ago brought our pay up to par with surrounding counties.

R

And for the first time in many years, the sheriff's office is currently fully staffed. However, in just.

R

One year we have found ourselves again at almost a double-digit, pay disparity charles county received.

R

A five percent increase towards the end of last year and they are getting another four percent.

R

July, one of this year, this is on top of their cost of living adjustment and step increases.

R

You might be asking yourself: why do we need to be comparable to charles county versus, say, calvert or.

R

Others, and it's because charles county is who we lose people to charles county is who recruits our.

R

People on march 26, charles county sheriff's office, recruiters connected virtually with seniors and.

R

Staff members from saint mary's public high school to seek applicants on april 20th, the recruiters.

R

Were at bay district volunteer fire department, social hall, seeking applicants, heck howard county.

R

Sheriff's office, one of the highest paid in our state, has even reached into our county to recruit.

R

They have a huge now hiring billboard display as soon as you enter our county from hughesville.

R

You cannot allow the pay disparity to grow again, especially in the uncertain and uneasy times our.

R

Profession is facing right now, when officers are not hesitating to leave as the budget currently.

R

Stands there's over three million in excess revenue not allocated for anything when the.

R

Sheriff's office came to you over a year ago for pay parity. We heard the same no skies falling.

R

Reasons we are hearing now like kerwin and we have the money now, but we don't know what next year's.

R

Budget's going to look like and so on, but seeing the excessive fund balance from last budget cycle.

R

Was kind of like a slap in the face after the opposition we initially received that excessive.

R

Fund balance will only grow with your proposed budget as it stands right now. You are only.

R

Forecasting a 3.5 percent growth when, historically, our growth has averaged over 5 percent.

R

Just by changing that ever so slightly to 4 would allow for additional money to be utilized in this.

R

Budget would allow for it to be utilized now where it belongs, instead of once again creating a a huge.

R

Surplus at the end of the year I'm wrapping up. It is your responsibility to without personal bias,.

R

Accurately and appropriately fund this county, this shouldn't be and doesn't need to be an us versus.

R

Them who needs it more police or school board, we come to you as one knowing the money is there.

R

And will remain there to fund us both. Thank you. Thank you. Alisa. Can you check our callers? Please.

D

And see if we have anyone on the line, please, yes, thank you, dr bridget. We do have callers.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in on the teleconference line to participate in.

E

The commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and at the end of.

E

The three minutes I will let you know your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

State, your name and your address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

I

Good evening, commissioners, my name is rosa hance, I'm from grace mills maryland 206 through four.

H

um Please pardon the background noise, as I'm currently enjoying one of the amazing features.

S

That saint mary's county government provides for its citizens, which are the park system, contrary to.

H

Some of the earlier comments, I believe that the services provided by the reckon parks.

T

Program are exemplary and should be continued to be fully funded. Additionally, the health department.

H

Is absolutely outstanding and I couldn't be happier with the way that they've handled this.

H

Entire pandemic and I support increasing funding for nurses moving forward into 2022.. Additionally,.

H

Although um we have had some changes during the school year, obviously this year.

T

My kids and I will be returning to the public school system come fall as many other homeschool.

H

Parents are, and we would respectfully request that the commissioners approve the requested board of.

H

Education funding additionally, um I'd like to request a community center for lexington park as.

H

Well, as a respectful commemoration of the life and legacy of sheriff joseph somerville lee somerville,.

H

Thank you again for this opportunity to submit comments and I'll be submitting written comments.

H

Especially in case this is hard to hear. Thank you again. Thank you very much for your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember you.

E

Are allowed three minutes to address the commissioners and, at the end of the three.

E

Minutes, I will let you know your time has expired. Please be clearly into your phone.

E

State, your name and your address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

H

Please be clearly beautiful, um hello, um I'm really not here to say much. I don't have a speech or.

H

Anything written up, um but I'm a sophomore at shopify high school. I know some of the programs.

H

And that had the potential to be cut are both very important to both myself and my fellow students.

H

I know very well that covet has really taken a tremendous toll on students, mental health.

H

And that a lot of programs that may be cut are things really holding us together? I know I have.

H

Some friends and some really unthinkable horrible situations that have been made not any better by.

H

Coven and a lot of these programs are what are keeping them sane right now. There were keeping.

H

Them all right and the students of this county really need you guys at this time. They don't.

H

Need you to be taken away to things they love? They really need for you to reconsider these.

H

Cuts for their mental health sake. Thank you. Thank you for calling in, and thank you for your comments.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and at the end of.

E

Three minutes I will let you know your time has expired. Please speak clearly into the.

E

Phone state, your name and address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now good evening.

U

Good evening my name is rubing yen and my address is 48050 freehold drive in.

U

Lexington park maryland 20653 and as a strong supporter of public education, I am a product.

U

Of public education, myself, a former public school educator and a parent of two children.

U

In this public school system, I strongly urge the commissioners to fully fund our public school.

U

System, especially at a time when our students need our support the most, as we finally begin.

U

To emerge from this pandemic, we need to show the kids of our county that we care more, not less.

U

Investing in our counties, public schools is truly investing in the future of our county. Thank you.

E

Good evening, sir, thank you for your remarks.

E

Good evening and thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners.

E

Of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 22 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and at the end of.

E

The three minutes I will let you know your time has expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

State your name and address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

V

Good evening my name is barbara clark from leonard town maryland.

V

Thank you for this public hearing tonight on the budget. I request that you fully fund the st.

V

Mary's county public school system- I listened to your budget working meeting. I listened with.

V

Great interest, how you determine the revenue and funding available from that meeting. I understand.

V

That we have the money before we find schools. I've listened to the board of education meetings.

V

And have every reason to believe the proposed budget is appropriate to the student needs and the.

V

Quality of education that we value, I respectfully request that you fully fund the schools. Thank you.

E

Dr bridget, at this time we have no more calls on the teleconference line, but we'll continue to keep it open. Thank you very much. Joseph goldsboro.

W

Good evening my name is joseph goldsboro. I am the president of the st mary's school.

W

Bus contractors, association and I'm speaking to you tonight to take us in consideration.

W

When doing your next year's budget for the boe, it has been brought to my.

W

Attention that, as the budget sets right now that us as contractors and drivers.

W

For saint mary's county, we will be getting zero increase right now. I repeat that zero increase.

W

At this time, our next year school, we are 14 drivers short of providing to meet the routes for.

W

The transportation it becomes more difficult in finding drivers, and especially substitute drivers,.

W

To drive our routes for our students, safe transportation to and from school.

W

Especially, I said the subs uh substitute drivers we're finding it more and more.

W

That our drivers are having to drive the buses when they're, actually sick.

W

Because there are no substitutes out there to find someone else to drive the bus for us.

W

If we don't start being more competitive in our salaries, which is dictated by the board,.

W

Of education, we will not be able to provide safe transportation for all of our students.

W

We have also requested an increase in our fixed cost. The national average for fixed cost is 29.5.

W

Percent we have been getting 25 for the past four years now, which is not even close to the national.

W

Average um also, I don't know if you all realize it, but because of all of the layoffs and all of that.

W

The maryland state tax unemployment tax has now more than doubled. Okay, that is also.

W

Considered in to our 25, so not only on top, are we 24.5 less? We have now thrown that on top of that.

W

um One of the other issues we are having is, of course, you know that the state of maryland has.

W

Mandated all of this environmental safety things that we need to be putting on the school buses.

W

This was mandated, I believe, about five years ago, since that mandate we have received zero percent.

W

As far as increase in our maintenance costs and as a lot of us contractors like to call that we.

W

Don't like calling it maintenance costs, we like to call it safety cost, because this is what we use.

W

To put to on the school buses to make sure that these school buses are safe enough.

W

To drive our students, okay, I just want to give you one example of this. I have to put what we call.

W

Def in our buses, one filter, but one def filter is four thousand dollars. Sir. Your time has expired.

E

Could you please wrap up? Okay, yes, um um like I say, I just would appreciate that if you would take us.

W

In consideration, when you're doing your budget, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sean.

D

X

It's look, I'm I'm a theater guy. I know how to work a microphone um good evening. Commissioners.

X

I'm shawn davidson. I live in lexington park where I have proudly served you and.

X

The citizens of saint mary's county and your emergency medical service for the last 31 years.

X

I've been thinking a little bit while I've been listening to some of these folks talk this evening.

X

So I'm going to go a little bit off of like what I had planned on here, because I think it's.

X

I think it's kind of telling that uh your stated.

X

Budget priorities are all standing here in front of you begging. You.

X

To give them what they're telling you they need.

X

um The last time I had the privilege of speaking with you.

X

um I challenged you to act as public servants and not politicians your job, I believe, as public.

X

Servants is to find a way to pay for the things your public servants are telling you you need.

X

And I believe that you have the funding available to you to pay for what you're being told you need.

X

Not just by us in your emergency medical service, but also by your sheriff's office,.

X

And your board of education, you can't both say that your priority is just fully.

X

Is to take care of public education and public safety and then be cheap about it. Gentlemen,.

X

Because when you do that, you get what you pay for, and I believe I have said that to each and every.

X

One of you on a one-to-one basis, I've also given you that line about figuring out how to pay for it.

X

I've forgotten which one of the previous speakers it is that said that uh talking.

X

About the experts, um you have a lot of expertise in the public servants who have made careers.

X

Out of that public service, folks, like director, cud moore, who does an amazing job and her staff who.

X

Have been very helpful to us in emergency medical services with preparing our budget packets, for you.

X

um For a long time, you've been there for a long time. Now um we uh are at a point in ems, where we.

X

Have come to you finally and said we have a need and it's going to cost you something to provide it.

X

I've spent 30 years plus sitting in installations all over saint mary's county.

X

Listening to politicians promise that they would support us when we came to them and asked for it.

X

We have come to you and asked for it, as have our colleagues in public service.

X

You've got the money suck it up, spend it. Otherwise, you run the risk of actually eroding the services.

X

That you call yourselves being responsible for thank you. Thank you. Cody hans.

Y

Z

Good evening my name is cody hands. I'm a teacher at chaptercon high school.

Z

I want to start off by saying that I echo the frustration, the anger and the disappointment.

Z

That others have told you tonight and you'll continue to hear some of the public statements.

Z

Recently, from some of the commissioners have been uh a little appalling, especially those that try.

Z

To shift blame uh on our superintendent uh trying to convince teachers that the enemy is within so.

Z

It's shameful, I would say uh kind of deflecting responsibility, but I I want the the majority of.

Z

My comments tonight to be positive. It was recently pointed out by commissioner hewitt.

Z

That we rank 15th out of 24 maryland jurisdictions in public education funding. It was pointed out as.

Z

An achievement- and I agree looking at the past- it's absolutely an achievement, but it's not.

Z

Where our goal should be, our goal should be higher. This is an opportunity. Teachers are trained to see.

Z

Opportunities for growth and improvement and there's one right here staring us in the face.

Z

We should not be stopping at 15., we should be accelerating and we should be embracing.

Z

Opportunities to catch up to other counties and eclipse other counties we're in the bottom 50.

Z

Right now, but there's so much potential to go beyond that.

Z

In the past year, our community has experienced a lot of pain, kobe disrupted our livelihoods. Our.

Z

Lives and our routines and school was no exception. We were virtual for a very long time. Teachers.

Z

Struggled to reach out to their students, students, experienced academic hardships and and increased.

Z

Mental health issues and a lot of parents scream for schools to reopen.

Z

But this last year of hardships, what it showed us was that public schools are needed.

Z

Very very needed, maybe now more than ever, schools function, as as places for kids to get social.

Z

Socialization and cognitive growth, we were meal, distribution, centers and we provided mental health.

Z

Services, our counselors work day after day to help our students help support them and I think they've.

Z

Done a great job, schools are needed and, as we reopen in the fall, we're expected to take up the.

Z

Mantle of traditional school, while still dealing with the challenges that covet has presented us.

Z

Expectations have grown, the budget needs to grow with it. We need that support this.

Z

Is our opportunity, this is our opportunity to be a leader in this state to move forward to.

Z

Show the state of maryland that we recognize the needs of our citizens, the families, the.

Z

Parents, the students all of them, we recognize their need and we will rise to meet that need.

Z

We should set an example. We should be. The example approve the increased funding.

Z

For a necessity, a needed thing in this community.

Z

Parents have shown you, teachers are telling you and the students depend on all of us.

Z

This is our moment. It could be, let's seize this opportunity. This is the right thing to do.

Z

And it's the right time to do it. Thank you. Thank you. Scott smith,.

AA

Scott smith, leonardtown maryland.

AA

A request has been made and it was met with partial funding. Even when revenue is available.

AA

The school system has no choice but to go back to their budget and if we are to honor the negotiated.

AA

Agreement, we will have to identify recurring costs that will be cut to offset. This means people and.

AA

Programs, the decisions must be based on priorities and needs, and they are never made lightly. Nor.

AA

Without public discussion, this is where we find ourselves this year, and this isn't something new.

AA

Or uncommon school systems and county governments do it every year when there's not enough revenue.

AA

To cover costs, why, then, are we cast as villains as ungrateful for performing our primary role to.

AA

Advocate for appropriate funding for asking for taxpayer dollars to go to public schools to pay.

AA

The people who work each day for our kids, why is the response to be scorned or labeled disingenuous.

AA

We're not adding positions or expanding programming, we are simply seeking the funding.

AA

To honor the negotiated agreements we signed with our employees, a cost that has been upfront.

AA

And repeatedly presented to the commissioners, it was a stated reason for raising taxes last year.

AA

Amid a pandemic set against challenges unimaginable a year and a half ago,.

AA

Our people rise each day to meet them. I look forward to working with you in may to finalize.

AA

A budget that represents all of us and recognizes the incredible strength and sacrifice of all of.

AA

The people who call saint mary's county home. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, rebecca maja.

D

Okay, dale farrell.

AB

Good evening, let me introduce myself, my name is dale farrell and I'm from mechanicsville maryland.

AB

I was born and raised in saint mary's county and I've lived here all my life.

AB

I'm a taxpayer and voter I'm also a product of saint mary's, county public schools. I graduated.

AB

From lernertown high school, I'm a former teacher and administrator from chopticon high school.

AB

And now I proudly serve as the chief of staff for your school system for several years. I.

AB

Have represented the board of education and negotiations with our employee associations.

AB

When, in negotiations, we work long and hard to try to balance adequate and appropriate.

AB

Compensation for all employees with funds that always seem to be in short supply.

AB

Just as the county government has recently reevaluated their positions to ensure that they.

AB

Are competitive with other employers, the school system does the same with all of our positions.

AB

With the most recent agreements we have entered into with our associations, we aim to remain.

AB

Competitive with other employers who seek to hire our exceptionally talented staff, every.

AB

Time we negotiate salaries, we examine salaries for all of our positions, not just our teachers.

AB

We look to our most direct competitors, calvert and charles county public schools.

AB

Although we have never taken the lead in salaries for school system staff in the tri-county area,.

AB

We have been able to remain competitive, but we also compete with local companies and the base.

AB

That can offer higher salaries to our exceptional staff. Our negotiated salary increases for the.

AB

Next year is less than the projected salary increases for the rest of your county. Employees.

AB

The budget that has been submitted for your consideration is modest. It is not exceptional.

AB

The board of county commissioners can fund the request of budget without any increase in taxes.

AB

You have an opportunity now to make a decision that is respectful and responsive to the needs.

AB

Of your community, listen to the voices of the residents of this exceptional county.

AB

Our food services staff have continued to deliver meals to our students, even during the.

AB

Covet shutdown, our operations staff continue to keep our schools clean and disinfected.

AB

For our students and staff to return to our maintenance staff continues to keep our buildings.

AB

Operating efficiently to provide the best quality learning and working environments, our school.

AB

Support staff continue to go above and beyond, to provide learning opportunities for our students.

AB

In person and online, our staff who support the social emotional needs of our students.

AB

Have adapted to meet the increased mental and social health needs of our students.

AB

And their families to provide services through any means necessary. Our teachers have had to.

AB

Pivot, dodge reverse and reinvent their delivery of instruction. Our administrators have been leading.

AB

Encouraging and supporting our students, staff and parents during the most difficult and challenging.

AB

Times we have ever experienced, your school system has performed at exceptional levels,.

AB

The staff of saint mary's county public schools is exceptional. Your decision to fund the school.

AB

System should be exceptional too. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Paul quaid.

AC

Hey everybody, um I don't have anything really written out. I'm also short. I know.

AC

Yeah, yes, I absolutely will um so I wanted to say thank you first to the commissioners for.

AC

Taking some time to listen to me, I especially want to say thank you to commissioner calvin.

AC

Your response was so thorough I feel like. I should have a degree after reading. It.

AC

Commissioner o'connor, I appreciate your time that you spent with us at this energy meeting.

AC

I really did mean a lot that you took the time to respond, um so I'm obviously here just to say.

AC

Please fund the smcps budget. Part of why I don't have anything written down is because I'm tired.

AC

I teach seventh and eighth grade. I teach computer science, I teach math, I'm also the.

AC

Department chair, I'm the diversity leader, I'm also the building rep for my school and the.

AC

The judicial committee, chairperson for uh our union, so I do a ton of things and I'm not unique.

AC

In that everybody in this school system is wearing a ton of hats,.

AC

So please know that when you, when we talk about 49 people or positions that are cut or.

AC

Whatever the impact is more than 49 people or more than one school or more than one program.

AC

I also wanted to um point out that, as kids are coming back, they're coming back at all different.

AC

uh Levels and that's not their fault, some kids missed marking periods because of technology.

AC

Or because they were at someone else's house or a caregiver or whatever the stitching situation.

AC

Is they are not where they're supposed to be or they're, not where everyone else is, and we need.

AC

More resources to try to get everyone caught up instead of less resources, so I want to say thanks.

AC

For all your time also, if we can get three voting locations early voting locations in the county.

AC

uh The ymca and if we can make sure we fund the health department budget, so thank you all.

AC

For your time appreciate it, thank you elisa. Do we have any callers? Thank you, dr bridget. We do.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and at the end of.

E

The three minutes I will let you know your time has expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

State, your name and your address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

E

Good evening you may begin your remarks now, like we've dropped a caller back to that good.

E

Evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st mary's county public.

E

Hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember you are allotted three minutes to.

E

Address the commissioners and at the end of three minutes I will let you know your time is expired.

E

Please speak clearly into your phone state, your name and address for the record and good evening.

E

You may begin your remarks now um good evening. Thank you for the time my name is john hanhoff.

AD

I am a resident of hollywood maryland. I'm calling to advocate for in the strongest possible terms.

AD

Funding the full budget request of saint mary's county public schools.

AD

I'm a retired military officer, a disabled veteran and I chose to stay here in saint mary's county.

AD

And become a resident based almost entirely on the strength of the school system and on the.

AD

Experiences that I had with my three children in the system lived all over the country had.

AD

Some okay experience in schools, some terrible experience with schools.

AD

And the saint mary's county public schools were certainly by far the best system. We were in.

AD

Throughout my time in the military, I've heard a lot of other people like the fop union.

AD

President talk about pay parity and about being competitive with our neighboring localities and.

AD

Obviously, being a part of the patuxent river, you know technology conflict. It is absolutely.

AD

Important that we fund our schools fully keep not only the academies like stem open, but also sports.

AD

And arts and programs, because it is a competitive advantage for this county to have that strength.

AD

For these workers for people who have choice to live in caliber or charles for the people.

AD

Who are more and more moving out of the cities to these areas? So um thank you. Thank you for the time.

AD

Again, um please fully fund the smcps request. Thank you, sir, for your remarks. We appreciate it.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember.

E

You are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you know.

E

When your time is expired, please speak clearly into your phone state. Your name.

E

And your address for the record good evening, you may begin your remarks now.

H

Hello, I am andy andholt from hollywood maryland, I'm a 9th grader at great mills and I'm in the.

S

Stem program I'm calling to advocate to not cut the funding for my program.

H

As our budgets are cut, enough stem has provided so many opportunities. For me, my friends, people.

S

Who've graduated, it's helped many achieve their goals. Education, especially right now, is essential.

H

And catching up on what we've missed is such a big deal after kobit and facing our time um and.

H

To be real, we are the future and we need our education and we need to put those resources.

H

Into making sure we have the education to shape the future and schools are very important and.

H

Stem's an amazing community for all I've been in since fourth grade. I know many from.

H

All grades all ages and everyone loves it and it's a good challenge. um Thank you.

E

Thank you for calling in to give your remarks. We appreciate it good evening. Thank you for.

E

Calling in to participate in the commissioners of st mary's county public hearing number three.

E

Fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember you are allowed three minutes to address the.

E

Commissioners- and I will let you know when your time is expired, please speak clearly into your.

E

Phone state, your name and your address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

I

Thank you so much good evening. My name is lillian dunn. I live in leonardtown maryland. I'm calling in.

H

The middle of my family dinner, where my three kids, who all attend public schools here in the county.

H

Are eagerly telling me about how thrilled they are to go to school tomorrow, there has not been a time.

H

In the history of this country, when we've needed school more and when I think about the thought of.

I

Needs going unmet next school year, it's quite terrifying for me and for my children.

H

I am calling in today to express my support for the budget for the school system and request that.

H

You uh fund them fully for next year. Great. Thank you very much for calling in with your remarks.

E

Dr bridget uh we'll go ahead and turn it over to more speakers in person and we'll.

E

Continue to keep our teleconference line open. Thank you very much. Brandon russell.

AE

Evening um first, I want to say, thanks to everybody, who's, helping make this possible.

AE

It's you know pretty amazing that we're adapting this way so great stuff and shout out to everybody.

AE

Outside it's awesome to see everybody show up for support for their various causes.

AE

I also want to thank dr brewster and the st mary's county health department. Any volunteers.

AE

And other agencies who help to work protect our our community through the pandemic, because.

AE

They're also a reason why we can be here this community member supports the health department.

AE

And that's why I'm asking that the funding for new positions be made available. The majority of our.

AE

Community has come to understand the important role of the health department and uh we need.

AE

That funding to go to the health department in order to make their work uh reach even further.

AE

I also would like to thank educators, building workers, administration staff and many others who.

AE

Took on the tremendous task of reshaping what modern education looks like over the past year,.

AE

Having an educator in my household, I was afforded the opportunity to see firsthand how the massive.

AE

How massive the effort was to provide instruction to students.

AE

Despite repeated challenges faced by the school community, I know these obstacles might seem like.

AE

They have passed, but for the remainder of this school year and certainly into the next just like.

AE

Covet 19 those problems now have new variants. Smcps needs the funding. They've asked for.

AE

Not only for the staff but for the students, it's more important than ever to focus on learning.

AE

Recovery, while setting up students for success, I consider smcps a wise investment of my tax dollars.

AE

Next, I urge the commissioners to go above and beyond by funding, not only two but three.

AE

Early voting centers, as we witnessed in the last election, one early voting center is not enough. It.

AE

Wasn't enough before and that actually became a visible reality thanks to covet 19., some may.

AE

Think that if a person wants to vote badly enough, that they can find a way. But I've wondered what I.

AE

Would do if I couldn't find transportation to my polling location. I could ride public transit, but.

AE

The thought of crossing multiple traffic lanes or having to walk further past the typical transit.

AE

Stop is discouraging. Not only am I asking you to fund three early voting centers, but I'm also.

AE

Asking for you to work with appropriate agencies to make these centers accessible.

AE

Via a public transit stop at the entrance of the voting center accessible voting is infrastructure.

AE

And this community member considers accessible voting a judicious investment of my tax dollars.

AE

Finally, I request your continued focus on an investment in building a ymca in lexington park.

AE

It would add to the quality of life for st mary's county residents and would be an investment in the.

AE

Future of our county, I've heard a lot of talk about the sports turf fields at our local parks.

AE

Lately and while those are great, I also think a ymca would be a draw for those outside.

AE

Of the county, it would bolster community outreach by providing a centralized.

AE

Safe environment for education exercise, local meetings, entertainment and much more, and it would.

AE

Be an excellent use for my tax dollars. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thomas will williams.

AF

My name is thomas williams, I'm from charlotte hall maryland. I'm questioning the transport ambulance.

AF

Fee I have a personal experience in september of 2020. I had picked up by the charles county.

AF

Which I live at the county line, so they come on. 911 calls. The fee was 566 dollars and 51 cents.

AF

It was submitted to medicare and medicare pays nothing. They don't reduce the rate like they.

AF

Normally do for seniors uh my sec. Excuse me my secondary insurance, 453 dollars and 21 cents.

AF

That left me a balance of 113 dollars and 30 cents. I'm just wondering what the real.

AF

Cost is I picked up the one quote that the transportation was going to be 760 dollars.

AF

For there were what three or three levels does anybody have that as figures I didn't get all.

AF

Of them, so we can get that page for you. Yes, sir, we can pardon me, we can get that page for you. Yes, we.

D

Can get that yeah yeah, so uh I just wondered if uh what the real cost is, and you know how much goes.

AF

Just into the support, so we know what we're paying for. Thank you good. Thank you, uh alex jeffries.

AG

uh Good evening um I'm alex jaffers and I proudly represent the administrators.

AG

And supervisors of the saint mary's county public schools.

AG

Now, I'm not as smooth of a speaker tim cameron, in the back, the sheriff and before I was a.

AG

In my past before I was part of the moakley street palace, commissioner hewitt mentioned that today.

AG

I was a broken football, coach, baseball, coach and a teacher, and I I think eric colvin used.

AG

To be one of my students, fearful student, fearful student, but he was my second best calculus student.

AG

He was my second best, but I'm here I just I want to say thank you guys for this form. I think it's.

AG

Important that we all get out here and and and show our respect for from the public service.

AG

And also for the the community that I live in a little over 14 months ago and more seriously.

AG

Like everyone in the u.s, we were faced with a pandemic crisis in every city, big or small. We.

AG

Realized that schools, as they were shuttered uh so were communities. Clearly, this fact.

AG

Demonstrated that schools and school systems are in fact the heartbeat of the community full stop.

AG

uh Let me start by, unfortunately, I have to admonish our elected officials in front of us.

AG

um For not recognizing this uh and acknowledging the true crisis that we were faced.

AG

As an administrator as a teacher, I've never worked hard in my life and I've been in education for.

AG

26 years so, rather than reaching out to the board of ed and saying hey, what could we do.

AG

For you, what more recurring dollars can we give you support with you give to the communities.

AG

Rather than being visionaries and being courageous, we hear haggling publicly and we are belittling.

AG

About mugly street palace, we don't need that kind of commentary in such an entire crisis. I am being.

AG

Serious this is a dead crisis that we're all faced with, and I know commissioner hewitt. I know you.

AG

Understand this the gravity of the situation, um I guess the history lesson for me is what further.

AG

Strains my credulity is how this how this body specifically um asked scott smith and the board.

AG

Of ed years ago after the kerwin commission came out, and the recommendation said, hey.

AG

We're going to need you to now negotiate multi-year contracts for your employees.

AG

So that we know upfront how much money, how much dollars, how many expenditures we need.

AG

And you did that we did that scott did that smash. The group that I represent for administrators did.

AG

That our friends in esmek did that so scott went out directed dale farrell to negotiate multi-year.

AG

Contracts, we did that, so we all understand the expectations year in and year out for funds.

AG

And in preparation, you guys increase taxes, and I I want to pay more taxes for goods for services.

AG

For programs, uh the problem that I see, though, is you guys have created a new political environment.

AG

A new cohort, a tax and not spend republican, I'm from pittsburgh pennsylvania. We have tax.

AG

And spend democrats, but we don't have tax and not spend republicans. I implore you all to consider.

AG

The requests that we've made and I'll say in closing here warren buffett.

AG

The billionaire we all understand he made a quote, his quote was price is what you pay value is what.

AG

You get, and I can tell you we do our level best in saint mary's county public schools to provide.

AG

The best um education in the state. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Sheriff tim cameron.

AH

Good evening, commissioners, I appreciate uh I'm not a theater guy, so yeah, please.

AH

That's really not true. I was a theater guy commissioners. I appreciate the opportunity to.

AH

Speak to you this evening, I want to accomplish three things. Primarily one expressed my.

AH

Appreciation to this board two, I have an ask and an observation. The sheriff's office.

AH

Fiscal year, 2022 budget reflects request, one of which we have increased legal mandates, demands.

AH

For services and community expectations this this year's budget, which is my 16th.

AH

Also reflects an expansion of community policing concepts by increasing the number of deputy.

AH

Sheriffs and locating them in our district stations in the heart of our communities.

AH

And for that I thank this board. I want to also acknowledge this board's emphasis on public safety.

AH

Critical infrastructure and the support that you've, given our sheriff's office, its employees,.

AH

And the successful expansion of our detention and rehabilitation center, the addition of three.

AH

District stations and in our fiscal year 2021 budget bringing our deputies and correctional.

AH

Officers in line with our direct competes, the state and the uh contiguous counties charles.

AH

And calvert we've been able to stabilize our workforce during a very challenging time.

AH

To my profession, we've realized great success in filling our ranks and keeping exemplary officers.

AH

I do ask you to consider the requested salary increase as we move forward in the budget process.

AH

We find ourselves in a very volatile environment trying to attract people to become peace officers.

AH

And correctional officers, we must remain competitive to keep them. Then.

AH

My observation again, this is my 16th budget. Never have I seen the atmosphere outside.

AH

Of the location of the budget hearing outside tonight is a very collegial atmosphere with.

AH

With a number of my personal heroes, cops fire ems teachers, nurses, doctors and very.

AH

Active people in our community we've weathered and continue to weather some real challenges and.

AH

We may have miles to go to get there, but with all of us working together, just like all the people.

AH

That are assembled here tonight, we'll get there, and there is great value in all these heroes that.

AH

Are gathered here tonight. Thank you all very much. Thank you sure. Thank you. Commissioners.

D

Elisa do we have other callers on the line? Thank you, dr bridget. We do.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember.

E

You are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you know.

E

When your time is expired, please speak clearly into your phone state. Your name.

E

And your address for the record and good evening, you may begin your remarks now.

E

Good evening, you're live on the phone with the commissioners. Go ahead.

E

Hi there can you hear us: you're live with the commissioners, all right.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let.

E

You know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone state. Your.

E

Name and address for the record and good evening, you may begin your remarks now.

AI

My name is weston kilgore from california maryland and I'm a senior at great mills, high school.

AI

Throughout my school years, I've seen my teachers work hard to make all of their students, make.

AI

Sure all of their students learn and succeed as an art, student and graduate forest tech.

AI

Center, the programs offered by the school system have allowed me to grow as a person.

AI

And a student and to connect with my peers, I know many of my friends have had similar experiences.

AI

With these programs and other extracurricular activities and others earlier tonight have stated.

AI

Students mental health has been tested over the course of the pandemic.

AI

And a lot of what we are able to do in regards to extracurricular activities.

AI

Has kept us in well enough spirits, because these programs are what we hold on to as normal.

AI

If the budget were to be unfulfilled for the school system, it would decrease the.

AI

Opportunity, students throughout the county have and limit those who could participate.

AI

To students whose families could afford it, which is not in line with the equitable equitable.

AI

Environment, the school board has been working to achieve. I hope the commissioners take this into.

AI

Consideration and thank you for your time. Thank you very much for calling in with your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember you.

E

Are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and, at the end of the three.

E

Minutes, I will let you know your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your.

E

Phone state, your name and address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now.

H

Hi, my name is aaron andholt and I live in hollywood and I'm calling tonight to urge the.

H

Commissioners to please fund our schools. For next year, I've spent my entire adult life um serving.

H

The country by being a military spouse- and I know that a lot of people don't like to recognize that.

H

As service, but it really is- and we've lived all over the country- and I have seen school districts.

H

From really terrible school districts that are unrefunded that had to cut their schools back.

H

To only four days a week because they couldn't afford utilities for a fifth day to moving here.

H

Where we were absolutely thrilled, because the schools are so good and we were so excited.

H

My oldest is in the stem program. She's been there since fourth grade she's in ninth grade now.

H

It's been fantastic for her. My sons are both compass students. They both have autism.

H

And the level of education that they are getting in that program.

H

And learning how to become better equipped to handle the world is something that cannot be.

H

I'm gonna cry, I'm sorry! um I cannot overestimate I can't over. I can't express how important that is.

H

We need to invest in our schools and I think, if anything, this past year has taught us that we are.

H

Stronger as a community, when we come together and work together, we are investing in our community.

H

We are giving our children the opportunities that other places aren't giving them because they don't.

H

Have the funds, but we do have the funds here. We raised taxes last year in anticipation of needing.

H

More funds for kerwin. We understand why our schools are important. What kind of message are we.

H

Sending our kids, if we're telling them that we're not willing to invest in them. Why are we telling.

H

Our children we're not willing to invest in their future, and I just want to throw this out there.

H

As well, there is a well-documented correlation between lack of school funding and higher crime.

H

Rates, we all want to support our police officers in this community and I'm so thankful that they're.

H

That that their budget last year that their pay was increased and I hope that continues. But if.

H

We want to continue to support our police officers. One of the best things we can do is fund education.

H

Because a more educated community with better schools has lower crime and that's an investment.

H

In everybody, not just our kids but the safety of our police officers, the safety of our community.

H

Job retention- everything that we want for saint mary's county depends on fully funding our schools.

H

Thank you for your time this evening. I hope that you choose to do the right thing.

E

Thank you for calling in for your remarks, dr bridget, we'll go back to more in-person speakers.

E

And we'll continue to keep the teleconference line open. Thank you. Lisa ploffenberger.

S

AJ

Thank you, hello, commissioners, and thank you for this opportunity. My name is lisa blottenberger.

AJ

And I am not a teacher in saint mary's county public schools, but I am a consultant in the.

AJ

State of maryland, an educational consultant- and I actually live here in leonardtown.

AJ

On a regular basis, I do work with the school system, but I do not.

AJ

Work for the school system, I'm hired by parents to provide educational.

AJ

Consultation and specialized services for their students- I know firsthand what good.

AJ

Schools look like, I know what good school systems look like and I'm extremely thankful.

AJ

To say that saint mary's county is one of the best school systems, not only in the state but.

AJ

In the country- and I have seen this- I see it on a regular basis throughout the country, the county's.

AJ

Commitment to excellence and continuing to improve educational programs is, unlike most other counties,.

AJ

St mary's has also always had a commitment to hiring and keeping high quality teachers and that.

AJ

Is hard, especially since there's a bridge that goes right across to higher level paying teachers.

AJ

Things may not be perfect and they're not perfect anywhere, but programs and teachers make.

AJ

A difference in an education system, commitment to hiring teachers and keeping them paid well.

AJ

As well as funding, the various training programs should not be an option. It is an absolute.

AJ

Necessity for schools to maintain the integrity of excellence that they need in order to educate our.

AJ

Students, that is why it is a necessity to fund st mary's county public schools, request for fy 2022.

AJ

And in case you have not had the opportunity to see all of the people that are outside. I hope you.

AJ

Can because there are a lot of them, and so again I ask that you fund the saint mary's county public.

AJ

Schools fy 2022 request. I ask that you do this for our teachers. I ask that you do this for our.

AJ

Students- and I ask that you do this- for our county and for our future. Thank you. Go blue tammy payne.

AK

Hi, my name is tammy payne and while I am a teacher, I was a cop here in this county and I can tell.

AK

You that you would not be sitting here any of you. If you didn't have teachers, you wouldn't.

AK

Have your jobs and it's embarrassing to have to come before you and beg for money to do my job.

AK

It's absolutely ludicrous.

AK

I teach 170 students every day through the pandemic. If we don't fund schools and we don't.

AK

Fund the police, my job as a cop when I was a cop, I would be teaching and leading these children.

AK

And because you wouldn't be funding, they would be going from the prison pipeline to.

AK

Prison and then you don't have money and then we don't have money coming into the county. You're.

AK

Sitting on 30 million dollars of fund budget balance- and you know what you took it from us.

AK

You took it from us, I didn't ask, I don't care what the what the rates.

AK

Are but I do care that you have our money and you're holding it hostage.

AK

If you think back to your elementary schools, can you name your teachers.

AK

Can you name your favorite teachers? I had mrs hurry, mrs drury, mrs brock, mrs bra.

AK

I can name all my teachers, most influential teachers. I had.

AK

Didn't have to have and beg for respect or funding to do the things they need to do.

AK

And I don't know how you can sit here and do the same thing to us.

AK

You're leading us in a direction that our county yeah, okay, we're sitting on money and you're trying.

AK

To make sure we have money in case a pandemic is an in case. None of us have been trained. How.

AK

To do this with our students, none of us, but yet we did it every one of us did it. I didn't ask.

AK

For your support or your help or how I did it myself and now you're holding my money.

AK

Hostage for my job, I have a masters plus 68 credit hours and I'm begging for my pay.

AK

We wonder why we can't keep staff.

AK

If you're not funding us, how are we going to get the new fresh blood in that? Has the same drive.

AK

And the same passion that I have for my kids every single day and you wouldn't be sitting.

AK

Here, making these decisions, if you didn't, have teachers that led you in the direction to attain.

AK

Goals for yourself that you probably didn't think you could attain.

AK

And now you won't pay us, I simply don't understand and I ask for you to think about it. Deb ray.

G

Thank you again, commissioners uh debray uh lexington park maryland. How are y'all doing you're.

G

Holding up great, as you see by my notes, I had a I had a different speech planned, but then listening.

G

To everything here, I thank you to the finance office for letting me have a copy, a printed.

G

Out copy the budget that was hugely helpful and I was sitting here listening and going through it. I.

G

Went through it before, but going through some more because obviously there were some things I missed.

G

First, I want to thank you for cutting your budget yeah. It was only four thousand dollars, but you.

G

Made the cut- that's huge, you don't see that in the rest of the budget, so hearing the teachers.

G

Wanting their cola increase hearing our police officers wanting their pay increases, I support.

G

Them and I think, there's a way we can find it in your proposed budget. Looking at your expenses.

G

Expenditure summary: your department of public works and transportation is getting a 2.3 million.

G

Dollar increase: why can't they just be flat funded at the 20 20 uh approval of 19 million dollars.

G

And then down here under reserves for emergency and public hearing what was requested for this.

G

Year was only five hundred thousand dollars, but it's been a recommendation at 3.1 million dollars.

G

There we go just found their colas just found their pay raises for you.

G

Please please consider that in looking at that and adjusting the budget and to everybody who speaks.

G

I think it would be helpful for the county commissioners if you go through their budget.

G

And show them places that they might be able to make the changes now onto the.

G

Minute left so on to the capital improvement plans. First of all, I'd like fdr. I know it costs.

G

A lot per mile, but I like fdr and I'm looking forward to you all finishing it, the best you can.

G

So, congratulations on that from me.

G

The other thing is, I'm very glad you are looking at the southampton neighborhood and working to.

G

Improve their conditions of their streets, their sewers, their sidewalks, etc. But please take a look.

G

At the funding again you're funding it every other year in the sip. Please try to fund it.

G

In consecutive years, looking at the lexington park or at I'm sorry the patuxent park, neighborhood.

G

That neighborhood is still under construction. Those residents in there must be so frustrated.

G

They can't get their neighborhood done and it's been years. I remember door knocking there and.

G

Those you know- and I know it's coming up on time, but don't do that to the people in southampton.

G

Please reconsider take a look at that and see if you can do consecutive year.

G

uh Funding- and thank you appreciate it. Thank you elisa do we have any other folks on the call.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners.

E

Of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you know.

E

When your time is expired, please speak clearly into the phone state. Your name and your address.

E

For the record and good evening, you may begin your remarks now. I'm catherine schubert and I.

AL

Live in ridge maryland, I'm an eighth grader and I go to chesapeake public charter school.

AL

And I'm going to great mills high school next year, I my teachers have been working so hard on a.

AL

Thing that they haven't had mult like a long time to actually like understand how to use it and.

AL

We've been having so much trouble with it like crashing and everything, and I feel like that's.

AL

Unfair to be just taking away their budget after not understanding how to use that. After so long.

AL

So in, for my other reason, is when I go to high school, I kind of want it to be like a normal year.

AL

Because I never have had been in high school before and we had it such a hard year this year.

AL

And if we cut like rotc and the sports program, the kids who are just going into.

AL

High school are missing out on so much it's just so difficult for us to get into the routine again.

E

Thank you. Thank you for your time all right. Thank you so much for calling and to give your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember.

E

You are allotted three minutes to speak with the commissioners. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

State, your name and your address for the record and good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

E

Good evening you're on live with the commissioners. You may begin your remarks now.

AM

Thank you. My name is jamie guy. I am foreign employee of siemens, county public schools,.

AM

Again, my name is jamie guy and I work in the finance department and I have to question the.

AM

Funds that the board of education are requesting, because I've learned that we have fund balance.

AM

That should cover what isn't should be covered um through the fund balance. I believe that the.

AM

uh Reoccurring cost of salaries and benefits, as I've learned through down barely, should not.

AM

Be important, but I believe that the after school program should be covered by fund balance.

AM

And I have not seen where the public school system is going to allocate funds to those programs.

AM

And I would like to ask the commissioners to consider that and that we are one of the.

AM

Smaller districts and in the fair effect on the school system was the largest school system in.

AM

The county they have not received a pay increase for a number of years.

E

Thank you, sir. Are you done with your remarks.

E

Yes, all right, thank you very much for calling in.

E

Dr bridget will go ahead and go back to life speakers and continue to keep.

E

Our teleconference line open, thank you, marcia greenberg. All right, don't mind.

AN

I am here to represent the campaign for community youth center or now a ymca, I'm here with two.

AN

Lovely young women who are going to join me in this rather than three minutes each we're doing.

AN

Five minutes for three of us, so it's a deal. Okay, um all I want to do is to first of all, we want to.

AN

Thank you for the funds that had been allocated for the two studies that were done this year.

AN

The feasibility study and the fundraising study- and we want to thank you also for keeping the.

AN

Process moving and for the funds that are going to be allocated this year for the architecture and.

AN

Design um and because of our thanks, we have some a gift to give you that passes all corruption-ish.

AN

Laws but I'm going to have these young women speak first and then we'll make our presentation.

AO

Hi, so my name is mori annan, can you slide? Can you come up to the microphone a little closer to mike.

E

You're very soft-spoken, so if you'll step there, you go. Thank you hi. My name is mari annan and I.

AO

Live in mechanicsville maryland, I am the chair of the youth advisory committee and I I was.

AO

A previous ymca petitioner, where I collected over 125 signatures from students at choptakon.

AO

The perseverance and and the study dynamic of the youth throughout this whole process.

AO

Has been so profound to see it just expresses how important it is for you to invest in our youth.

AO

St mary's county must reflect on how we support our youth.

AO

How we educate our youth and how we provide opportunities for our youth to grow.

AO

And with that being said, I'd like to thank you I'd like to thank you for supporting.

AO

The ymca exploratory committee and supporting the feasibility study and the fundraising study.

AO

It is much appreciated.

AP

Good evening my name is rebecca maja. I live in lexington park and I too am a member of the use of.

AP

The youth advisory commission- I was also a summer youth volunteer at the pacs naval air museum when.

AP

I first joined the youth advisory committee. We talked a lot about the plan for a youth center.

AP

And how it is so crucial to have in our community. I personally believe that this will greatly.

AP

Benefit the youth in this county, given that we incorporated the right programs and truly educate.

AP

Children and encourage them to work towards their goals. It is a great opportunity to be here and on.

AP

Behalf of the community and the steering committee for the campaign for a youth center. We are pleased.

AP

To present you, with over 3 000 signatures on 25 hard copy petitions and an online petition.

AN

Our gift to you, commissioners, is the petitions. You ask us.

AN

We have one notebook which is hard copy, which have been collected at events around the county.

AN

Not all preceding martial preceding could you go to the microphone? I'm sorry! Thank you. Most of them.

AN

uh Precede the covert year uh with just a couple of updates and there's a second booklet which is.

AN

Printed out signatures from an online petition using change.org, so, as you can see, we exceeded.

AN

The demand or the request for three thousand, we thought, president uh of the commission.

AN

President randy guy that you might like to have this in your office as evidence of the kind of.

AN

Effort that has gone into demonstrating the kind of support there is county wide and we will leave.

AN

The petitions and the poster uh right here please leave them right there by dr bridget there and.

D

Right here is great right here, marcia. Thank you appreciate it. Thank you very much.

D

Sharon page hi, my name is sharon page. I am. I live in hollywood maryland and I've been here over 25.

AQ

Years, I am a school nurse. I've been a nurse for 35 years and almost half of that has been spent.

AQ

Serving saint mary's county nurse, I also volunteered to give vaccines for the covid.

AQ

The covid vaccine, through the st mary's county health department, I say, volunteer, but I do get.

AQ

Paid so nobody needs to worry about that. um I am here just to say we are so tired. Everyone is so.

AQ

Tired we're tired of hearing about covid, I'm tired of wondering why children are sick. The first time.

AQ

The first thing that came to my mind when schools closed last march was who's going to feed the.

AQ

Children who's going to take care of them because unless you happen to live with an educator or have.

AQ

Been raised by an educator or have a child who's, an educator, you might not realize how much we do.

AQ

On a daily basis to take care of our children, they don't go hungry and they don't go unclothed. They.

AQ

Definitely don't miss out on christmas because we have very generous people, businesses and teachers.

AQ

The thing is, I'm not a county commissioner. I won't even say that I do really well with.

AQ

My own personal budget, except I do meet all my bills and I do have some money in savings.

AQ

So you five sitting up there all know way more about this than me, but I can tell.

AQ

You that my heart is hurting for all the people who have suffered because of covid.

AQ

For all the children who don't have their parents and the parents who don't have their children.

AQ

We need your help at the beginning of the pandemic. Everyone said we're in this together.

AQ

I believe we can still all be in it together, but I would like, for you all, to show us.

AQ

You have to put your money where your heart is sometimes.

AQ

I think it's time for the county to do that. Thank you. Thank you. Laura schrader.

AR

Hi, I'm laura schneider of hollywood maryland.

AR

And I'm here speaking as a parent with children in saint mary's county public schools,.

AR

And I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you all tonight.

AR

I would highly hope that you will fully fund the public schools, especially this year. I've seen how.

AR

Hard, our teachers are working, I've seen how hard our children are working and when we talk about.

AR

Not completely funded budget, what we're talking about is taking things away from our children.

AR

You know I've seen numbers like losing 49 teachers, that's taking something away that our children.

AR

Need I've seen um the possibility of consolidating and closing a school? You know that's an important.

AR

Part of our community that our children need and hate having to be a part of you know, I've.

AR

Seen the possibility of losing arts or stem or sports or other programs that our students so.

AR

Very much need at this point, so I would urge you to consider fully funding our schools and the.

AR

Other thing that I wanted to say is that I also support the ymca and funding that as well for our.

AR

Children in our community. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, david cook,.

AS

Good evening my name is david cook. I teach at spring ridge, middle school.

AS

And I'm proud to teach there. I moved to saint mary's county. I taught.

AS

In other counties I wanted to be here- I still want to be here.

AS

I fell in love with this place. I fell in love with the scenes that I see as I drive.

AS

To and from work, this is where I want to be, so I ask that you do fund us.

AS

Because it's not just me those teachers out there.

AS

And, more importantly, it's the students at home, they've called in. I don't get it. I don't.

AS

Be better, I want you to be better. I want you to help us be better.

AS

Because I have students that I worry about and I want to make sure they get what they need.

AS

I'm so happy they're back in school, I'm happy to be back in school.

AS

Be better because I want my students to be better. I want this place to be better.

AS

I want to stay here. I don't want to leave this place, feels like home.

AS

And from what I've gathered, this is home for you, don't you want it to be the best.

AS

Invest in these kids, these kids are amazing. Come into these schools, see what.

AS

They do they'll amaze, you just like they amaze me. Please invest in this community.

AS

I don't need in three minutes for this, but I just seriously want you to like.

AS

Understand this isn't just dollars and cents. These are people's lives, guys.

AS

That could have been you, because that was me for a long time. You have all these people here.

AS

And they're all calling for the same thing. I don't get it and I want to, and I'm so happy.

AS

You're letting me speak here, but please take care of us we're trying our best to take care of them.

AS

On a shoestring budget again I took a pay cut to be here and I'm fine with it, but just take.

AS

Care of me on the back end, let me be here for years on end. I want to stay here and retire.

AS

I want these kids to be the best. I hope you do too, because if you don't, then why are we here.

AS

Thank you for your time. Thank you. Elisa. Do we have callers? Thank you, dr bridget. We do.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember.

E

You are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone state. Your name.

E

And your address for the record and good evening, you may begin your remarks now.

T

Good evening, thank you, commissioners. This is mina brewster from leonardtown maryland.

T

I just want to say thank you for your ongoing service and leadership in our county. I also am.

T

Respectfully requesting that you consider funding all positions in our local health department.

T

Budget proposal, including the public health emergency coordinator position, I have submitted.

T

A written appeal letter for your consideration, but I do want to summarize some of that now.

T

Our local health department has critical public health, emergency preparedness and response duties.

T

Including coordinating and leading during health and medical emergency events, I believe our current.

T

Covid19 pandemic clearly articulates for us the key role that local health departments have in.

T

Public health, emergency events, the emergency preparedness, responsibilities of local health.

T

Departments will increase postcovid as we respond to the lessons we have learned during covit.

T

A public health emergency coordinator manages functions that are very distinct from.

T

The responsibilities of the county department of emergency services.

T

Allowing the lhd to better prepare our community for health and medical emergency events will.

T

Complement not duplicate the functions of the county department of emergency services.

T

A critical function of the local health department is to support emergency preparedness of our entire.

T

Local health care delivery system, including nursing homes, hospitals, primary care, doctors.

T

Offices, dental offices and behavioral health professionals, the lhd needs or addresses, needs.

T

Related to ppe, prophylaxis, vaccine clinical response protocols and outbreak management.

T

And funding the lhd emergency preparedness function tells the thousands of health care.

T

Workers in saint mary's county that they are needed too many of them on the front lines.

T

Of kovid have seen their lives and their families strained beyond the limits of any fair expectation.

T

Some of us have even seen our colleagues die too on these front lines.

T

Again in my written appeal, I've detailed some of the functions and implore you.

T

To reconsider your decision and fully fund our local health department budget request.

T

As a parent and a community member, I'm also urging you to reconsider your revenue projections and.

T

Fully fund our public school system and sheriff's office budget requests advancing these public.

T

Services appropriately responds to our current time of great community, need and encourages our.

T

Residents to continue to locate their families and businesses here in a community where we can truly.

T

Say that we value the education of our future and the safety of our present at the health.

T

Department, many of us are grateful to our critical partners at the school system and the sheriff's.

T

Office for their very efficient and effective collaborative work to address health equity.

T

Public safety, equity and equity and education in our community. This is truly public dollars.

T

Put to good use on behalf of our whole community. Thank you, dr brewster. Thank you for your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners.

E

And I will let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

And state your name and address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

H

Hi, my name is angela rourke and I'm from mechanicsville maryland. I'm a sophomore at.

H

Childhood gun high school, these programs that are looking to be cut are such a huge part of my life.

H

I'm involved in the fine arts, the world languages, several sports, the marching band and the tech.

H

Center starting next year, if these programs were to be cut, it would impact my life greatly.

H

Wiping out almost half my daily schedule, these programs, not only are the reasons I look forward.

H

To going to school every day, but they improved me as a person through these programs, I've learned.

H

Leadership and social skills and improved my mental health. These qualities given to me by these.

S

Programs is what has allowed me the confidence to come here and speak up on behalf of my friends.

H

Family and teachers- I know kovit, has caused lots of problems with education and I see those greatly.

H

In my day-to-day life, I've been a virtual student since march 14 2020., even though I have to do.

H

These programs- virtually I still look forward to every minute I get to spend with my peers.

H

Who share my same specialized interests through these programs and with the teachers.

H

That have worked so hard across all of my classes to make this difficult time easier.

H

As soon as the word of these potential budget cuts came out, I had four teachers within two hours.

H

Reach out to their students and pay for help, so here I am, this immediate reaction shows just how.

H

Important these programs are to myself my fellow students and my teachers. However, if these programs.

H

Aren't cut, then the budget looks to letting go of teachers. This personally impacts me greatly.

H

Because at least fifty percent of my extended family, which is quite long, has an education and.

H

Or community-based career, both of my parents are teachers as well. This would make these changes not.

H

Only detrimental to my school life, but my home life as well, and I know teachers are working so.

H

Hard, but they need this extra funding to be able to get everything that they need to help students.

H

Please please please, I'm begging, you find some other way to get these costs covered.

H

As these changes will have a ripple effect and impact the entire community, thank you for.

H

This opportunity to speak enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you for calling in for your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners.

E

Of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you.

E

Know when your time is expired, please speak clearly into your phone state, your name and.

E

Your address for the record good evening, you may begin your remarks now good evening. Thank you.

H

Commissioners, my name is brandi souter, I'm from hollywood maryland and I've lived here. All my life.

H

I'm a parent of three students in saint mary's, county public schools and I'm a former educator in.

H

This school system as well, I would like to thank commissioners colvin and o'connor for both their.

H

Support of the budget and for taking their time to respond to my multiple emails regarding the budget.

H

After the year, we have had watching our educators and school staff work overtime to try and provide.

H

The exemplary education that we have come to expect here in saint mary's county to even suggest.

H

A cut in our budget is, quite frankly, shameful, even with all their hard work, there will be shortfalls.

H

Students will enter classrooms in the fall with greater needs than ever before.

H

Our students need more support right now, not less. They need smaller class sizes, not larger ones.

H

They need all the support staff they can get if the coveted pandemic showed us anything. It was.

H

That our community relies on schools for more than just education. Our schools also feed children who.

H

Would otherwise go hungry, they provide mental health services as well. The money is there.

H

Taxpayers were told that tax increases last year were in part due to the needs of our school system.

H

And wasn't that lucky timing, considering it came just before the code of pandemic hit our community.

H

That said right now, we should all be breathing a sigh of relief that we were prepared to adequately.

H

Fund our school system, through these trying times, unfortunately, instead of breathing, that thigh.

H

Release here we all are having to plead for money to be allocated to the place. It was promised to be.

H

To be allocated to, I respectfully ask that you fully fund the saint mary's county public school.

H

Budget requests, I think nurse paige said it best a moment ago when she said sometimes you need to put.

H

Your money, where your heart is thank you for your time. Thank you for calling in to make your remarks.

E

Dr bidget will return to in person speakers and continue to keep our.

E

Teleconference line open at this time. Thank you. Marie beth nalman.

AT

It goes that low, it's nice.

AT

Good evening, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak to you in person.

AT

You might remember me from a year ago, when I was on video, I am a parent and uh I'm also the.

AT

Chair of the chesapeake charter, school alliance and I came in support of fully funding the sa.

AT

St mary's county board of education budget last year- I'm not actually here to do that this year.

AT

And you might be surprised at that. I'm actually here, because I want to know what you all have been.

AT

Watching during the pandemic, I know there's been some conversation about whether it's on netflix or.

AT

Hbo plus or hbo max or whatever they are, but some of the things that I've seen lately is actually on.

AT

The commissioner channel for st mary's county and watching the commissioners and the shaming.

AT

That has been happening and I have to say in watching what has gone on here tonight.

AT

I can understand the vibe and the reason why you feel like you need to behave that way.

AT

However, I think you owe it to the county to behave differently. I think we really need to.

AT

Look at what your focus is, which is to foster opportunity and when you're thinking about.

AT

Whether or not this budget should be funded, you know all the reasons why that should happen.

AT

But I think you really need to look at how the work is being done.

AT

The tension that has been between the county and the commissioners has gone on for a very long time.

AT

And it's time for you to set an example on how to create that connection, how do we do that? How do we.

AT

Build the connection between you and the county, it's obvious here that there is a disconnect.

AT

And that there's work to be done, so I'm not going to challenge you with how to go ahead and how to.

AT

Fund the budget, I'm not going to challenge you with finding ways to or challenge those that are.

AT

Here to find ways to find that money, that's not these people's jobs, that's actually for those.

AT

Of you who come up with the budget and fund the budget, but I do think it's your role to set that.

AT

Example for the people of saint mary's county on how to build that connection. If you don't know.

AT

How to do that find a way to find people to help you to do that? Maybe you need a mediary party to.

AT

Be able to build that connection, but it's really difficult to watch and to think that for the 18.

AT

000 students in the county- this is the example that we're setting. So I encourage all of you.

AT

To look at the way, you're doing business and the way that there's been this tension between.

AT

You and the county and to really challenge yourselves to try to come together on that.

AT

On my way here tonight I did stop because my daughter likes to play lottery tickets.

AT

She's, not 18 she's, actually a fifth grader, but I did buy some lottery tickets because.

AT

And then I thought to myself what a great way to maybe fund education within the county.

AT

And so I'd like to leave some of these for you, I think it's they're. Only a dollar tickets.

AT

So you're not going to get far with them, but if you do win anything, please put it.

AT

Back into the education for saint mary's county, thank you carol. Brome.

AU

Good evening, commissioners, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak. um You all know.

AU

Who, I am I'm also a paramedic in the county here for the last 16 years, retired nurse practitioner.

AU

Now, after 45 years, thank goodness I am chair of the rescue squad association and the ems.

AU

Assistant chief of the second district volunteer fire department, rescue squad in valley league.

AU

I came here tonight to reiterate what the rsa supports in terms of ems, supplemental staffing,.

AU

I did send a letter to the commissioners on the 14th and I want to reiterate that the rsa.

AU

Which is all of the ems chiefs still supports funding the emt, supplemental staffing.

AU

At the current levels that we have with the contractor right now,.

AU

We would also like to support a full-time quality assurance coordinator as our quality assurance.

AU

Program is not up to snuff, as well as what you already had approved, which was the admin.

AU

Fiscal position to help with the billing. um It has been a little difficult in the last month or so.

AU

With the county trying to hire the part-time emts and the haphazard way in which this has.

AU

Been occurring has added a lot of stress to the volunteer systems in the county.

AU

These are the stressors were the ones that the contractor was supposed to alleviate, but between.

AU

The lack of communication between the county and the volunteers in the county and the and the.

AU

Contractor things haven't gone as planned. I just encourage you to please listen to your volunteers.

AU

In ems and fire we have been around for 70 years and I believe that we are well positioned to help.

AU

Build something that is going to support what we actually need. Please leave the als contract in.

AU

Place at least for another year and let's work together to cautiously and committedly work on.

AU

A program that's going to work for the citizens of this county. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bj hall.

AV

I think you missed leg day was that I think you missed leg day.

AV

That's cute: oh man, I had to take your mask off if you wanted. Okay, gotcha appreciate that um miss.

AW

Gator uh miss rose, miss stringer, miss watkins, mr bell, mr crenshaw, I heard somebody talk about.

AW

Some of the important teachers- and so those are my one through six grade teachers, so I do remember.

AW

They have a special place in my heart um and uh if y'all do need help connected to the community, I.

AW

Know a show that can help you uh reach out to them anyway, start with the the board of education.

AW

I mean that's mcps yeah there you go smcps budget, um I mean, I think everybody said.

AW

Everything you need to hear about that, but I just highlight something that I.

AW

Kind of noticed through uh throughout this whole thing, I think it's a little unfair to use parents.

AW

As political tools in the middle of a budget squabble, especially after the year that we've.

AW

Had I mean we've been through enough, you got the teachers out here, pivoting learning a new way to.

AW

To teach you got parents sitting here, pretending I mean uh well playing the role of assistant teacher.

AW

You got students stuck in this weird purgatory, where real learning really doesn't happen and.

AW

And they're behind now, and they need all of the resources that we can give them. I mean it's. I.

AW

Mean just just like we had to figure it out. Y'all need to work with the superintendent y'all need.

AW

To figure this thing out, we don't need to let our kids be the victims of your budget dispute.

AW

um Early voting center, uh hb, 745 y'all know we get two now I think we only have one in the budget.

AW

um We need to have that third one, it needs to be fair, make sure everybody can have it.

AW

All over the county top middle bottom period need to make sure that we we allocate something to to.

AW

Come commemorate sheriff, somerville did a lot here, he's very important, and we need to to do something.

AW

Meaningful, you know not not just say we did something, but it needs to be something that sticks.

AW

Violence prevention programming um seen a lot of ticks upticks in violence in the past few years,.

AW

Of course, we we need to fund the police. I mean people have been saying that, but.

AW

The real change that we need in our community happens. It needs to start in the community and.

AW

We need you all to support those efforts because to build a sustainable program.

AW

um We need funding from you all to support those programming programs out in our community.

AW

Oh yeah, the y got to bring the y to the left. um It's like thank you for getting up giving us the.

AW

450 000 for a e this year, that's great, but we got two years between um engineering and construction.

AW

Funding um a good place we talked with deborah was up there talking about uh ways to find.

AW

Funding place or places to uh to fund uh some of those programs there's 12 million dollars.

AW

12 million dollars in fy23 for fdr and commissioner morgan. You know that it.

AW

Will not be happening in fy 23.. So sorry, we won't be able to finish it before you leave.

AW

But that's 12 million dollars could definitely be split and um at least start a phase one for.

AW

Our community center- I noticed- I know I'm out of time but the health department, dr brewster.

AW

She just said it all, but I think that the pandemic definitely highlighted some of our health equity.

AW

Issues here in the county, we have been underserved since, before the pandemic and she's been asking.

AW

For support since before the pandemic, and we definitely need uh those extra resources.

AW

Post pandemic, thank you for your time. Y'all have a good night. Thank you, mr tom. Thank you. Miss wiley.

AX

Good evening willie, I just wanted to say I have been doing.

AX

Pay attention to what's been going on in the county as far as the budget goes since 2018.

AX

It's late and I'm sure you guys are exhausted and sick of listening to everybody say the exact same.

AX

Thing um I have two in high school, two in middle school and two in elementary school right now,.

AX

I have one who's in marching band. I have one at the tech center, one who's going to the tech.

AX

Center to be in the criminal justice program, I have another one who wants to go to the criminal.

AX

Justice program to be a forensic scientist who does that, but um what I would really really.

AX

um Just I don't understand why every single year.

AX

This is a discussion like all of these people. Come they ask you the same thing over and over.

AX

And over again, everybody here said the exact same thing all evening long can you fund the budget.

AX

Why is that an issue? Why is that a problem the money is in? Is there.

AX

Why not just fund the budget so that you don't have to have four hours or three hours of sitting.

AX

Here, listening to everybody beg, you seems kind of ridiculous, have a good night elizabeth ward,.

AY

Hello, thank you for letting me speak tonight.

AY

I am sure you're very glad to know that I am the last person on the signup sheet. I believe outside.

AY

I am a little bit confused about why we're all still here, because, quite frankly, I think this.

AY

Should be run kind of like american idol and you guys should have buttons and after.

AY

That eight-year-old student spoke two callers in you. Guys could all just push that button and say.

AY

We're funding this thing and you wouldn't have to listen to all the rest of us, but I am here as an.

AY

Individual I'm from hollywood, I'm here to support all the hollywood herons the teachers, the staff.

AY

The students and all the teachers and staff and students in st mary's county.

AY

My personal experience this past year has been that my children left the classroom in march.

AY

And didn't return to in-person learning again until april of this year. I am privileged.

AY

And fortunate my family is that we were able to decide that it was right for us to keep them.

AY

Virtual, I was trying to be a team player and keep them. You know out of the community until those.

AY

Vaccines really started being distributed, so my students were out of the classroom for almost 400.

AY

Days, it didn't even hit me until that first day that they went back and it was quiet in my house.

AY

My students are they're, smart and they're funny, and they have been very excited about those days.

AY

Back in school, but I can tell you that I have a first grader and a third grader and they have been.

AY

Struggling my my first grader has been struggling with confidence. You know she's not confident doing.

AY

The things that a first grader would be confident doing, even though she has the skills teachers are.

AY

The ones that lift those students up and show them and mom is just not. We don't have the same.

AY

Impact you know, and as much as I've been trying to support my students, I can't play that same role.

AY

My my third grader uh has really been struggling with apathy like what is the point of all of.

AY

This, why am I submitting these things on the computer? The system isn't set up in a way that.

AY

He's getting feedback and and that there is consequence good or bad for his submissions.

AY

And that's not due to any lack of the teachers or the staff or anybody the ptas, the parents.

AY

They've been bending over backwards, acting as contortionists trying to figure out how to.

AY

Keep these programs running to keep the curriculum on track, and I'm just I really.

AY

Would ask and implore that you all consider fully funding these programs, because our students and.

AY

Our teachers need more right now they need more than what they're even going to get more than what.

AY

We're asking for you to fund in the times that we're in they need more programming, more support.

AY

More staff, but but can you just please do the minimum like let's just get there and I I really.

AY

Again with everyone else, that's asked tonight: ask you to do that and then very quickly.

AY

In support of the early voting, I applied to be an election judge this year and was very.

AY

Politely told that my services were not required and unfortunately, we still had very minimal voting.

AY

Opportunities in the county and we're a big county geographically, I think, having three early voting.

AY

Locations funded is, is a smart move on behalf of the county. So thank you all for being here.

AY

Tonight enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you, miss costas. Do we have any other callers.

D

Thank you, dr bridget. Yes, we do good evening. Thank you for calling in to.

E

Participate in the commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number three.

E

Fy 2022 recommended budget. Please remember you are allotted three minutes to address.

E

The commissioners, I will let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your.

E

Phone state, your name and your address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

H

Hi this is christy mattingly. I am a resident of mechanicsville maryland. I am a teacher with.

H

Sncps and I'm also the mother of three smcps students, I am apologize for not being able to.

H

Be there in person to speak tonight, because I'm also a grad student and I just got out of class.

H

I I much like everyone else who has spoke tonight do not understand why we have to play the song and.

H

Dance, um I am a 15-year career educator with smcps. I spent 13 years as a special, ed para educator and.

H

Then returned to school to get my teaching certificate.

H

I am well versed in negotiations as I was the chair one year and I understand.

H

Financial restraint as a mother of three, I have to look at my budget very carefully.

H

But when we have money in our budget we do the things that are of importance to us and right now.

H

The county has the money to fund for our public servants for our schools for our sheriff's office.

H

For all of these things that people have stood up tonight and asked you to please do so. I just.

H

Want to reiterate that, yes, if we were in a budget fall, I would say we need to look at.

H

What we can cut, but there is no need for anyone to cut anything because the funds are available.

H

So please do what's right by our students, our staff, our citizens, and I think commissioner coven.

H

And commissioner o'connor for the time they spent with us. Thank you very much.

H

And have a great night! Thank you very much for calling in with your remarks.

E

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

E

Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

E

Please remember: you are a lot of three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you.

E

Know when your time is expired, please speak clearly into your phone state, your name and.

E

Your address for the record and good evening, you may begin your remarks now.

I

Thank you for your hand. First hi amelia. What's your address four one, four one, eight, eight, nine.

I

One nine one jenkins jenkins, quarterback leonardtown, maryland clinton, town maryland.

I

Now you can say what you want to say, you say thank you county commissioners.

I

Thank you county commissioners. For this time. I just want to say if I cry in this speech.

AL

Every tears for the teachers.

I

My teacher had a newborn child and he dedicated time it wasn't us to a child.

I

Yeah because she should take that we should take care of her right.

I

Thank you very much, hey you and here's. His sister tally.

S

Can you sing your name hi, I'm sally I'll eat your heart. Sorry, your heart.

I

um That, thanks for taking care of us that we at school and that we should take care of them and.

K

That they should treat more than us. Thank you very much and have a good night. It's past our bedtime.

K

Thank you very much by red time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

E

I think it's past a lot of people's bedtime good evening. Thank you for calling in to participate.

E

In the commissioners of saint mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended.

E

Budget, please remember you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners.

E

And I will let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone.

E

State, your name and your address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now.

H

Thank you very much. My name is caitlin freyer and I live in leonardtown.

H

um So, commissioners, I know it's been a long three hours. I've been watching pretty much the whole.

H

Time and I decided to call in at the last minute, because I heard what sharon page said, I am a saint.

H

Mary's county public school, employee myself, I work for the food and nutrition department and I have.

H

Been on the ground since day, one and sharon also knows, because I work very closely with her. I work.

H

With not only the building level staff in all of our buildings, but I also work very closely with.

H

Those of you, those people whom you so lovingly uh referred to as working in the moakley palace.

H

um And commissioner hewitt, that that really struck a nerve with me when I heard you say that earlier.

H

Because while I may not work on oakley street, I do work in a central office and I can tell you.

H

Personally, because I personally delivered meals to those people that are working in.

H

The moakley palace that there are also people working over there. There are also people who.

H

Who were affected by this, and you you were talking very verbosely about how dr smith is.

H

Is being dramatic and everything like that, but I just want to tell you how much I have seen.

H

Dr smith and dr montgomery and all those people working in that office and working in my office.

H

Due this year, when all of this started, dr smith, was on day one helping us bag meals.

H

To drop off the kit to drop off to meal sites, he helped us, dr montgomery, stopped by all the time.

H

And I understand like that, it was a rough time. Nobody wanted to leave their house.

H

It was terrifying, it was scary, but we had to be out there regardless.

H

And so, when I hear you say things like that, it it it stirs an emotion that makes us want to be.

H

Angry at our superiors at dr smith and those people that are making these budget decisions.

H

But really what it does is it makes me ashamed that you are our commissioner. You are supposed to.

H

To be a light for us, you're supposed to help us and instead you're just showing more discord the.

H

Woman that I heard speak up from chesapeake charter school really said it really honed.

H

In for me, um and and saying that you guys are showing a lot of unrest with the school system.

H

I I've seen the pictures from tonight. There are 200 plus people in there talking to you about.

H

Things that they feel very strongly about, and I genuinely hope that you take all of this into.

H

Consideration that you're able to sleep tonight, knowing that you're going to vote in favor of our.

H

Of our budget ma'am, your time has expired. Could you please wrap up your remarks? Yes, no problem.

H

um I just want to urge you, commissioners, to think about what you're doing tonight think about the.

H

People that are coming to you and talking to you and and think on that tonight. Thank you very much.

E

Thank you for calling in to make your remarks evening. Thank you for calling in to participate.

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In the commissioners of st mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

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Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners. Please speak clearly.

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Into your phone state, your name and your address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now.

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Hello, everybody, my name is kira williams, I'm from hollywood maryland. I'm calling in this evening as.

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An smcps teacher who would like the budget to be passed, I can tell you firsthand that we teachers.

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Have never worked harder. I cannot tell you the countless hours that we are putting in outside of.

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School day, where we are not getting paid to create lesson plans for our students to come up with.

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Engaging ways to keep our kids on google meets to pay attention and engage in what we're doing.

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I'm asking for you to fund our schools. Our kids have suffered from covet, as have we.

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We've experienced loss and grief and just mental instability. I'm listening to people talk tonight.

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Inspired me to call in because I too want to know why it's so difficult for us to fund our schools.

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You know children are our future and I know that sounds cliche, but they are.

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You know we need to support our children the best way we can, and you do, that through great teaching.

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In a great school system which we do have, teachers are constantly. We are reinventing the wheel to try.

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To help our students in this virtual world that we are trying to get through, our kids need new.

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Ways to learn and we're trying to do that, but kovit has put our students so very far behind.

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And teachers are doing the best they can to try to help them where they're coming in and we're.

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Going to need more resources and plans to help our students to catch up, so they are not behind.

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I am a native new yorker and I moved to saint mary's county when I went to school at st mary's.

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College of maryland, where I proudly graduated and without the great leadership of smcps teachers,.

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When I was student teaching, I may not have stayed in this county. I am now raising my children in.

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This county, my children, are going to st mary's county public schools, where they are flourishing.

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Because of wonderful, wonderful teachers, I want my children and the children that are coming up.

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To have the opportunity to take to be a part of the stem academy or be a part of sports think.

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About all the mental instability that children have gone through during these coveted times.

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um Suicides rates are up depression, I've seen students who are isolating themselves who are.

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Very lonely and taking away the opportunity to socialize through programs such as the academies.

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And sports is just it breaks my heart and I hope that you guys find it within your hearts.

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To improve the budget, because students need these opportunities, I had the pleasure of working with.

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Many students from the pam program at the forest center- and these are smcps students who want to be.

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Future teachers and leaders in our county and we need to show them that teaching. Although none of.

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Us go in it for the money, you know we're putting our blood and sweat and tears into our teaching.

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We want our students to know that it doesn't money doesn't matter, but in the end everybody.

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Needs to live, as previous speakers have said, teaching creates other professions.

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You guys are all sitting there in your positions because of what you experience through education.

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I just want to say that I please please hope that you fund our schools.

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And our children have very very much very much suffered and we would like them to.

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Not suffer anymore and have the opportunity to socialize and be a part of these programs that.

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Will afford them wonderful, wonderful things in their future. So please, politics aside. Please do.

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What's right and fund our schools- and I thank you for your time- thank you for your remarks.

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Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

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Mary's county public hearing number three fy 2022 recommended budget.

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Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners.

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And I'll, let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your.

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Phone state, your name and address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now.

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Thank you, my name is sarah gravel and my address is 44485 white ash lane. California maryland 20619.

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I am a music teacher and I work a lot with the new town players here as their outreach chairs, and I.

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Wanted to call in to add my voice to the many um first to advocate for fully funding the requested.

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Budget as a former public school teacher and someone who was still doing education privately.

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I can attest to the blood, sweat and tears that goes into being an educator and the many.

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Hurdles that educators have to be able to jump over in order to be successful in the classroom.

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And in my opinion, teachers truly aren't paid enough as it is and so to at least keep the.

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Status quo going and to be able to make sure that our teachers are adequately paid, we need to make.

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Sure that we fully fund the schools as a community, we are able to show what our priorities are with.

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What we're able to what we're willing to pay for what we're willing to prioritize and budget for.

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And I don't know anything more important or very few things more important than investing in our.

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Future and investing in our schools and making sure that they have what they need is something.

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That we will always get our return on very often. The adage is true that we get what we pay for.

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We need to make sure that we are adequately compensating teachers and so that they keep.

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Coming back and so that we get the best and the brightest to be in the classroom with our children.

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um We also know that research shows us that having a robust extracurricular activities and.

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The arts programs helps to enrich children's lives. It helps to keep them out of trouble. It.

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It helps their academic progress. We we don't have time to play around and and consider cutting.

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Extracurricular and arts programs and and at the very least, cutting teacher positions as well.

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We know that the money is available and we really need it in our schools, and I.

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Plead that we can make sure that that is funded. I also want to advocate for funding a ymca that is.

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Something that would enrich our community in so many wonderful ways, and it is, it is a necessity.

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And I I also plead that we're able to fund that as well. I also would like to add my voice to.

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Having three early voting centers in the north, the central and south parts of our county.

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Having access to voting is one of the most patriotic things we can do. It's the.

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Foundation of democracy and again it's something that shows where our values and priorities are.

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As a community, if we're making sure that we have community resources, access to education and access.

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To voting and making sure that the democratic process can be fulfilled, I also would like to.

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Advocate for the increased support of nurses and more nurses for the health department as well.

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And with that, I would also like to thank commissioner colvin and commissioner o'connor.

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I have also emailed- and I was very grateful for your responses and for your support, thus far of.

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Funding the budget for saint mary's public schools ma'am your time has expired. Could you please wrap.

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Up your remarks, yep! That's all! Thank you for your time. I appreciate it and I urge you to help fund.

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The programs that are going to help our community gre