Annexation, New Businesses And Elections: Leonardtown Council Tackles A Packed Agenda

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Leonardtown Town Council approved several budget adjustments, advanced an annexation request and highlighted new business growth and upcoming community events during its March 9 meeting.

Town officials also discussed financial planning for future infrastructure needs, supported state legislation related to municipal revenue and shared updates on downtown development and events.

Ferris said most real estate tax revenue has already been collected, with only smaller portions still coming in.

“We’re getting close to the end of the year,” Ferris told the council. “We have about two more large payments that are going to come in for income tax, and right now we’re just getting little pieces of real estate tax.”

She added that the town expects revenue totals to align closely with projections and that staff are currently preparing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

“Everything’s going pretty good with that also,” she said.

Town staff have been working with a company called Waterworth for the past six months to evaluate the system, which analyzes historical data and projects future infrastructure costs.

Ferris explained the software will help the town prepare for aging infrastructure and future upgrades.

“This will really be able to help us to visually see and run different scenarios on how to budget for the future,” she said.

The system will initially focus on water and wastewater services, though other departments could be added later if needed.

Council members said the tool will also help future staff access historical financial data more easily.

“We’ve been doing everything manually right now,” one official noted, adding the software would make planning “more easier for people in the future that need that historical data.”

The amendment reallocates contingency funds to cover approximately $1,200 per department for software and support.

A public hearing and vote on the proposed budget are scheduled for April 13.

One proposal involves concept approval for the Macintosh Professional Center, a development planned behind the existing pharmacy and Domino’s building along Route 5.

A second proposal involves a quad duplex project planned for a property on Miss Bessie Drive within the Single Tree planned unit development.

Bailey said the project has already received approvals from the Soil Conservation District and Department of Public Works for concept review.

With warmer weather approaching and more people walking around town, officers plan to focus on stop sign enforcement to improve pedestrian safety.

“It’s starting to get warmer, so I’m going to start stop sign violations down for pedestrian safety,” a deputy told the council. “Make sure you’re stopping at your stop signs and watching out for people walking around.”

Officials noted Maryland is one of only six states that does not share certain sales tax revenues with local governments.

The proposed task force would study ways to update revenue structures that have not been significantly revised in decades.

The property is currently zoned Rural Preservation District under St. Mary’s County zoning but is identified in the town’s comprehensive plan as a future growth area.

Under the annexation plan, the property would receive commercial highway zoning consistent with Leonardtown’s land-use plans.

Staff said the property owner agreed to maintain the entrance driveway from Route 5 to the building at 40985 Green Hill Lane as part of the agreement.

The council determined that the annexation is consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan and meets all statutory requirements.

The first request supports extended alcohol service for the annual RenFest Southern Maryland event at Brudergarten on May 23 and 24. Last year’s event drew about 4,500 attendees, and organizers expect around 6,000 this year.

A second letter supports Social Coffeehouse’s request to expand alcohol service during a planned bar crawl event in Ltown Alley on April 17.

Town officials noted that both events have operated without major issues in previous years.

Officials said the shuttle will help address increasing traffic and parking demand during busy evenings and major events.

The vehicle would circulate between parking areas on Friday and Saturday nights and potentially Sundays during peak tourism seasons.

“It’s really the restaurants that are pulling in the traffic,” staff explained, noting the service will help visitors access downtown more easily during bad weather or busy periods.

Businesses may help offset operating costs for the program.

Through the Main Street program, several facade improvement projects have been completed for businesses including Botanic Café, Everyday St. Brew House, Dreamy Day’s Beauty and Cypress Wealth Management.

Several new businesses have also recently opened, including Smash House, Domoishi, The Vintage Collective, First Mortgage and Velvet Razor Tattoo.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Style House on Park Avenue is scheduled for March 13.

The contest includes communities with populations under 250,000, and winners will be featured in Parade magazine.

Officials noted the town has roughly 5,000 residents within a county population of about 100,000.

Combined, the projects represent more than $30 million in investments in Leonardtown’s utility systems.

Officials said a ribbon-cutting ceremony may be scheduled later this year once all three projects are complete.

Former state Sen. Roy Alvey told council members he plans to seek the position of St. Mary’s County commissioner president.

“My name is Roy and I’m running for county president, St. Mary’s County,” Alvey said while addressing the council.

Leonardtown resident Rodney Flowers also announced his intention to run for a seat on the Leonardtown Town Council.

“My name is Rodney Flowers. I’m going to be running for town council here,” Flowers said, adding that he has lived in Leonardtown for about 20 years. “Love the town. Happy to be here.”

Both men thanked council members before the meeting concluded.

Watch the full Town Council meeting below:

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