LEONARDTOWN, Md. — In a staff memo obtained by theBaynet.com, as a result of the coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic, effective from Mar. 16 to May 10, all boards, commissions and committees are cancelled. Additionally, a number of events have already been canceled and will be canceled during that period
However, there are still a number of meetings that will be required to take place by law. St. Mary’s County Administrator Dr. Rebecca Bridget confirms that the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) is required by law to meet a total of 48 times per year and the Planning Commission is still required to meet one time per month.
Also, there are a number of dates revolving the budget process this month that must be met. The budget for the county is required by law to be “formalized” as of Mar. 31, in order to have public hearings by mid-April. County Commissioner Todd Morgan[R-District 4] confirmed that the BOCC will still be meeting next week to hold a “crucial” budget session, which comes after one of their originally planned sessions on Mar. 17 was canceled.
“We are currently in the process of rearranging [the meeting room] for social distancing,” Bridget told theBaynet.com. “We will also be limiting the agenda to essential items only”
Bridget said this likely means that all proclamations will be stripped from the agenda. Additionally, all planned speakers will have specific time slots and access to the meeting may be limited to try and meet standards set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and the White House.
However, online viewing access will still be provided, and the county is making efforts to have more ways for public input to be enhanced and heard.
Contact Zach at zach.hill@thebaynet.com