Commissioners to Hold FY2015 Budget Hearings April 15
Proceedings will be televised live on SMCG TV 95
The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners will hold public hearings to present information regarding the Recommended FY2015 Operating and Capital Budget. The hearings will also address a proposed fire tax rate increase for the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department, and the Constant Yield Tax Rate. The hearings and presentations will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
The hearings will take place in the Chopticon High School auditorium, located at 25390 Colton Point Road in Morganza, Maryland. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the proceedings beginning at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend and participate. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities should be requested by contacting the Public Information Office at 301-475-4200, extension 1340.
The hearings will be televised live on St. Mary's County Government TV 95 (SMCG TV 95) and taped for rebroadcast. Log on to http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/95.asp for a schedule. The hearings will also be available for live viewing on the county's website at http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/broadcast.asp. Click on the "Live" link at the top of the page.
The evening will begin with an overview of the FY2015 Budget, followed by the hearings in the following order:
-- Tax Rate Increase for Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department (affects only those citizens in that district)
-- Constant Yield Tax Rate
-- FY2015 Recommended Budget
Citizens wishing to comment are required to sign in before the hearing begins. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person and five minutes for those representing a group.
Written comments can be submitted at the hearing or mailed to:
Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County
41770 Baldridge Street, Chesapeake Building
P.O. Box 653
Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
Email: bocc@stmarysmd.com
Comments must be received by April 25, 2014 for consideration during budget work sessions scheduled for April 28 and May 5.
The Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 can be found on the County's website at www.stmarysmd.com/finance. Copies are also available for viewing at all three St. Mary's County Libraries in Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown and Lexington Park.
The document can also be viewed at the St. Mary's County Public Information Office inside the Chesapeake Building on the Government Center campus, 41770 Baldridge Street, first floor, Leonardtown, Maryland.
Md. Access Point/Aging & Disability Resource Center Now Open to the Public
The Aging & Disability Resource Center, also known as the Maryland Access Point (MAP), is Making Access Possible, by providing the community a link to health and support services. MAP is a free information and referral service coordinated by the St. Mary's County Department of Aging & Human Services. It is open to the public and individuals of all income levels. Everyone is encouraged to visit or call the MAP site, including adults 50 and over, individuals 18 and older experiencing a disability and caregivers of any age who may have questions or concerns about someone in need. No question or concern is too big or small.
This new initiative will benefit the community by offering a "one-stop-shop" approach to information and services. The mission of the MAP site is to create a St. Mary's County in which older adults, persons experiencing a disability, or caregivers receive coordinated, quality care. This coordination of services among agencies will ensure the care received is both efficient and effective. The Maryland Access Point of St. Mary's County can help you find out about community-based services, transportation, legal services and behavioral health resources, to name a few.
"Our Department has worked diligently to establish the MAP program in St. Mary's County. This will be a valuable resource to citizens in the community for years to come," said Lori Jennings-Harris, Director for the St. Mary's County Department of Aging & Human Services. "By partnering with local organizations, we are offering a seamless approach to accessing programs and long-term support services for which an individual may be eligible."
Persons seeking services will receive navigation assistance from a single point of entry. The single point of entry will:
- Assess the need for services and or/programs.
- Provide information and referrals to resources and services.
- Provide options counseling regarding benefits and long-term support services.
- Connect caregivers of older adults and adults with disabilities to services.
- Provide access to services offered by the Department of Aging & Human Services and partnering agencies such as the Health Department, The Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living, the Department of Social Services and other community service providers.
- Link active adults 50+ to services, activities and programs.
"I am excited to watch the amount of people we serve increase. I have connected with several agencies to learn about the various programs and services in our community, so that I may better serve the public," said Monika Williams, MAP Coordinator. "My goal is to successfully connect individuals directly to the appropriate services and resources to meet their unique needs. MAP will be available to help citizens navigate our community's vast selection of programs and services,"
The Maryland Access Point is located at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (Potomac Building, Governmental Center). The hours are Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. We encourage the public to visit the office and take advantage of the single point entry service offered. Walk-ins will be accepted, but appointments are preferred. All information and assistance provided are completely confidential. For more information view the MAP commercial located at www.stmarysmd.com/aging, under Maryland Access Point (MAP), which is also available to Comcast cable subscribers. To schedule an appointment call 301-475-4200, ext. 1057.
About the St. Mary's County Department of Aging and Human Services:
The St. Mary's County Department of Aging & Human Services provides a wide variety of programs and services to the county's residents. The Department of Aging & Human Services is divided into seven divisions that directly support our department's programs & services.