FEE INCREASES GO TO PUBLIC FORUM

Forums for Health Department, Rescue Squads 

The Commissioners approved three public forums at their January 28th meeting, one for comments on proposed environmental health fee increases, and one each for Leonardtown and Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squads regarding their requests for an increase to the rescue tax in their respective service areas.

Hollywood VRS is looking to upgrade their building for safety, security, and accessibility at an expected cost of $3.4M, while also needing increases to keep up with rising costs. Hollywood is counting on the tax revenue increase to help qualify for a loan to complete renovations. Hollywood’s public hearing is February 25th, 7PM, at their station, 23469 Rescue Lane, Hollywood. 

Leonardtown VRS also cited rising costs across several categories, as well as the need to expand in the near future. Options for expansion include adding on in their current location, moving to Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department’s location if they build new space, or the VRS could construct a new building elsewhere. Estimated costs between $5M-$15M for these options have Leonardtown planning ahead. I covered the details for each increase on January 15th.

But Danny Bowles, President of LVRS, returned on February 11th to amend the increase, saying he took the Commissioners advice that “it’s better to ask for more” so they don’t have to return in the future. Bowles said their “previous estimate was based on outdated assumptions” and counted on community fundraising which is inconsistent. “Hope is not a strategy,” Bowles said. It’s likely the squad will need a new building as the current location has limited expansion potential. Commissioner Hewitt said he recommended Bowles update the ask when he toured their building recently. While he supported the public hearing request, Hewitt noted public comment would weigh heavily on the Commissioner’s final decision. The public hearing for Leonardtown’s tax increase request is March 4th, 6:30PM, at the station, 22855 Lawrence Avenue, Leonardtown. 

Dr. Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer, along with Environmental Health Director Heather Moritz, convened with the Commissioners as the Board of Health on January 28th to review proposed fee increases for the environmental health division. The last inflation-based fee revisions were in 2015, and Moritz provided information showing St. Mary’s has some of the lowest fees in the tri-county area. Fee increases weren’t considered lightly, and Moritz stressed a fair approach to assessing specific amounts. For example, St. Mary’s does not charge a fee for perc tests associated with a repair or replacement or septic system in consideration of high costs already associated with such a project.

Fees across perc/sewage, food safety, water quality, public swimming pools, and community health programs will modestly increase. The impact of these increases could be blunted, Moritz said, with more regular reviews of the fee schedule. Calvert County enacted a local resolution last year requiring annual fee updates based on increases to the consumer price index. Moritz suggested implementing something similar in St. Mary’s, but on a two year review schedule.

The public hearing on the environmental health fees will be held on April 22nd at 6:30PM at Leonardtown High School along with other public forums related to the fiscal 2026 county budget.