ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. – The St. Mary’s Budget Public Hearing was held on
Tuesday night at Great Mills High School. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County met with residents to discuss the fiscal year 2025 recommended budget.
Hundreds of teachers and other members of the school system showed up to the hearing wearing red to show their “Red for Ed” support to gather funding for education.
The “Red for Ed” movement showed support to the commissioners who voted in favor of the 0.2% income tax rate increase.
Every single school and work site was represented at the hearing, according to Sarah Penrod, president of the Education Association of St. Mary’s County.
“By investing in our students and educators, you are investing in the well-being and prosperity of our entire community,” Penrod said.
Over 60 speakers voiced their opinions on the recommended budget at the hearing, which went on for almost four hours.
The recommended budget for the Board of Education’s recurring budget is an increase of $7 million or 5.5%, according to the CSMC’s Recommended Estimate of Revenues and Appropriations of Operating and Capital Budgets. The county funds the Board of Education over and above the State Required local funding.
“Even with this increase there will still be a myriad of changes that will still affect our staff and students,” said Jennifer Venendaal, a specialist at Hollywood Elementary School. “The superintendent has done his part in compromising, we now need your help.”
After an almost four-hour-long public hearing for the recommended budget, Commissioner President Guy remarked that it was an “enlightening night.”
“I wish I could take all of you … put you in a couple dozen buses and take you to Annapolis,” Guy said. “We could truly give this presentation to the delegation, senators, and our governor of Maryland cause they’re the ones who are hurting us [financially] right now.”
The commissioners will conduct budget work sessions on May 7 and May 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown, according to Guy. The public is welcome to attend or watch the meetings.
The final budget and the new tax rates will be adopted on May 21, 2024, according to Guy.
A feedback forum for the St. Mary’s County Government’s fiscal year 2025 budget is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.
Click here to watch the full budget hearing.
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