ST. MARY'S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN --- A huge budget deficit is looming large over St. Mary's County, as per the blacked-out budget work sessions of the last two weeks.

The St. Mary�s Board of County Commissioners emerged from the backroom discussions of executive sessions apparently without any agreement, as no resolutions were adopted after an executive session, the cameras were once again turned off as crucial discussions pertaining to the fate of taxpayers� hard-earned monies resumed.

As yet the woman who holds the county purse, Finance Director Elaine Kramer, seems unaware what�s going on at the St Andrews transfer station and her revenue assumptions painted a rosy picture, showing $2.5 million in revenues from St. Andrews Landfill Tipping Fees.

"The Board of Appeals could say yes, the Board of Appeals could say no," Dan Raley (D. Great Mills) told ST. MARY'S TODAY. He said contingencies have to be in place in case the Board of Appeals said no to the transfer station.

Last Thursday, St. Mary's Board of Appeals put on hold Public Works Director George Erichsen's application for the transfer station until February 8.The fate of the much-touted station now hangs in the balance. The station was being touted as the hen that would lay the golden eggs for St. Mary's county.

It's unlikely the county can proceed with the station, however.

John Norris, who as former county attorney knows exactly how many skeletons there are in the cupboards of the Governmental Center, now appears determined to challenge the building of the transfer station at the proposed location, the stench-laden St. Andrews Landfill.

Interestingly, Norris is now crying not in my backyard even though he set up his lawyer's shop, along with former county deputy attorney Heidi Dudderar, after the duo quit their county jobs.

Kramer's baseline summary draft presented last week showed the total general fund budget spending standing at $176,222,035. Her summary of revenues on Tuesday showed $173,510.637. The projected budget deficit as per Kramer's two presentations, being discussed out of public view, comes to $2.7 million.

But this is with Kramer's summary calculation of nearly $2.5 million in revenues from the transfer station, which is unlikely to happen. As such the deficit may escalate to more than $5 million, as per the papers submitted so far.

Even Erichsen conceded Tuesday he may have to rethink his plans and refocus on hauling the  more than 90,000 tons of waste county residents generate.

"Everyone in the county generates waste, from a two-year-old baby to a 120-year-old," said Raley.