[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6390933,"mediaKeyId","2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772","parentId",2111749,"title","Town staff warns small businesses about changing federal beneficial‑ownership filing rules","audioSeconds",83,"startMs",2643000,"endMs",2726000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772&start=2643&end=2726","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772/thumbnail_2643000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6390933/Leonardtown/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Town-staff-warns-small-businesses-about-changing-federal-beneficialownership-filing-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390933-9c31be26d2f63a1cb67136f17e4f74a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176132&Signature=WZouwFfQ4FZiABBClMtVBKm2~SQomTYWcO1hQjaBBLqjkiR19nzliMXUouyIcuZhSss6MYoRPXGIlmurjZLfFcjkAk47fWHAhaZS2QRZL5a5DYYg9Z9H1IbDpHF0gYd2C77FBYYXur~E8xhfOnmCG-7ItAwkdMuufbNVnJPWK2ccOYHKr4t62JRlxy88prYXLTsfoP7xHvYA25KbMjP2~iEiC-h0zptXfrFCHwdR3CoGQQiBietylWaXZzM0SWPabwG4LBWWr4U2Is1biKRQgDn0JWv2U3KiRBl3FwdhbofgVPvbn8IHWuimWeSja1n76rP9fAsMBLFA4c54vGmxUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leonardtown, MD","date","2025-01-14T10:07:30Z","article","Town staff briefed the council on the recent national developments affecting the federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirement and urged local businesses to monitor the situation.

Staff said the BOI filing requirement had been subject to litigation and temporary injunctions: it was blocked, then reinstated in late December and then again affected by court action through Dec. 27 (per staff’s account). Staff advised that, at the time of the meeting, the filing requirement was not active \"this very moment,\" but cautioned that the rule could change again. For local small businesses that do not object to filing, staff recommended filing to avoid potential penalties if the rule is reinstated; staff warned that failing to file could trigger the $591‑per‑day penalty noted in federal guidance if the rule is later enforced.

Why it matters: Leonardtown small businesses, HOAs, and other entities that may be required to file should track federal developments and consult counsel if unsure. Staff offered to assist and recommended contacting the town for updates.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to track the BOI litigation and will provide updates to the business community and council as federal court rulings or administrative guidance change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, January 13, 2025 - Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Town staff briefed the council on recent national developments affecting the federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirement and urged local businesses to monitor the situation.","taxTitle","Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",59809,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6390938,"Council OKs $35,000 contract for downtown waterfront plan Phase 5",223,1896000,2119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772&start=1896&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","/articles/6390938/Leonardtown/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Council-OKs-35000-contract-for-downtown-waterfront-plan-Phase-5","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390938-28c0f4bada931542b8afc864b4e10367/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176132&Signature=nDxZjoccQzVypaQvq-L-jvEEO~7xUGtEvfrtOxnynEEI9NCrNLVc4zzIl2pg5JTHQetv13wp3ZBwowYf4p3wQ~6XSAQB8EaaVMr9ZxRyyY6ubTwJgehIUnJJMS58u6LT2t3kjs7LUluOCM7LLDYwWbwR7F143eUjDLJw7ejfDZCkol0QBwWpkTqn~YZwQ6FeRcLd1JmnXkw8N82DLW1Es0PMoJ9izXK0foBsnwmOZzkibyDm0GmRxRlEmW6v9zlZV2g3lwPoPUJgEVkKRTSwlAf0UI1fgZufXe~iqfAAdD55VMzu5uuP8ZCV~TQGutei4S0LhELOcT3-zCOfC~CRBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sharon, a town staff member leading downtown planning efforts, presented the Phase 5 contract for the town’s downtown waterfront plan and asked the council to approve consultant work to continue planning and zoning‑tool recommendations.

Sharon said the comprehensive plan draft has been submitted to the Maryland Department of Planning for the required 60‑day review and that comments are expected by March 11; the planning commission and council public hearings are anticipated in mid‑March and April. She described Phase 5 as focused on zoning tools and targeted feasibility work for concepts the Main Street committee has asked the consultant to study — including options such as a food hall, parking garage, hotel or amphitheater — and said the council previously budgeted $45,000 for consulting; the Phase 5 contract before the council was $35,000, with an additional $10,000 reserved for further concept work as needed.

A councilmember moved to approve a Phase 5 contract for the downtown waterfront plan with the consultant named in the agenda in the amount of $35,000; another councilmember seconded. The motion passed by voice vote (transcript records \"Aye\").

Sharon said staff will schedule workshops with the Main Street committee if the council approves the contract and will coordinate public outreach after state review comments are received. The comprehensive plan timeline and the zoning‑code work are linked; staff said zoning changes and specific implementation steps will return to council after public hearings and consultant recommendations.

Ending: The contract was approved and staff will proceed to coordinate the Main Street workshop and incorporate state review comments into the final schedule for public hearings and adoption.","Council approved a $35,000 Phase 5 contract for the downtown waterfront/downtown plan to continue planning work, zoning‑tool analysis and consultant support for potential elements such as parking, a food hall or amphitheater.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6390943,"Council approves $162,000 extension for GHD inspection services on wastewater plant expansion",266,1620000,1886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772&start=1620&end=1886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","/articles/6390943/Leonardtown/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Council-approves-162000-extension-for-GHD-inspection-services-on-wastewater-plant-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390943-18fb88250d64b66c04525f850bed9e13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176132&Signature=n~LFGMHdxGvz0el1iS3ReQrUpRiL8-J~TTpgtups4oZsRjmCehkXl1EmzsVO1Nx1t2YlcZF2LfHlIPvPV0goIM-C-b6FT3a7-JoS5uYJ6IZeRMpg649LZSgqopTXPLvh0W1wAi7MkojCRFMkjFVEKwEm9SsMzDiXuEcJ2UUZXse52g8tyJOE7LfhRlmdB9LIrFoZTVHTMVeGdzMZXeVKyYAE0eoMGjLYXh6-cyopAtfYf~l6K2A9KUlTggl3LIUWP91zi49~bbmo2DyqVAbAFa4jIJHInp8ZMxLXLdGaoM5d~ycTlISezePog32b9QccKsHGDsjc3TCZj2pxJpCV9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jill, the town administrator, asked the council to approve an extension of Task Order No. 28 with engineering firm GHD for construction‑management and inspection services tied to the wastewater treatment plant expansion.

Jill told the council the original task order, signed Sept. 6, 2022, covered construction management and inspection for the expansion. She said the contractor has struggled to secure labor, leaving the project roughly 85% complete and about 180 days beyond the original substantial‑completion date. The town has continued to use a dedicated GHD inspector at the facility and arranged for GHD inspection support for the water‑tower kickoff at Meadow.

The proposed extension adds time and scope to cover final construction oversight, post‑construction reporting required for the new discharge permit and assistance on reporting tasks during the first 12 months after permit issuance. Jill said the original task order included a $45,000 credit for a pilot study that the town chose not to pursue; the credit was reflected in the revised contract amount.

Motion and outcome: a councilmember moved to approve Task Order No. 28 for continued inspection services for the wastewater treatment plant expansion in the amount of $162,000; another councilmember seconded. The motion passed by voice vote (recorded as \"Aye\" in the transcript); no roll‑call tally was recorded in the audio.

Council discussion included a note that liquidated‑damages calculations remain subject to final negotiation and that the town will negotiate any penalties arising from delays with the contractor. Jill said the additional $162,000 includes scope for post‑permit reporting and daily inspection coverage while the project finishes.

Ending: The task‑order extension was approved; staff will continue contract negotiations on potential delay claims and proceed with close‑out activities once construction is complete.","Leonardtown approved an additional $162,000 task order for GHD to continue construction management and daily inspection at the wastewater treatment plant expansion; council discussion noted the project is about 85% complete and faced labor delays.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6390948,"Town auditor gives unmodified opinion on FY2024; revenues beat budget, fund balance held",1242,75000,1317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772&start=75&end=1317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111749-496ccbbe9a2fa4c75facfba2bafab772/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6390948/Leonardtown/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Town-auditor-gives-unmodified-opinion-on-FY2024-revenues-beat-budget-fund-balance-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390948-87483788a2ddd9b58ee460c5f940217d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176132&Signature=RL80J81Fh80qoMYrg7A1SPN0k21HDNGV3SaPMd3xPjNr4FC~-AANzllC0NqMsVHrV5~en6h~--d0ZI0MjWcLke5dK3hXYbZECoy5Bul1wdWHw4aYOoQga8cLf-NpOBvXbZr9mI4m7-8dDvjLSoQlCe~ZXq9BhR931xZCXmp1FOHljf3s5812mKph6c7FidrkIOknsjIgfCTm4dyamU9kQ3gj~Ke8Mkx~yw74eS6asBnkEv55XVE2GMnpddH~NLP0hEx0s8pinFpxhxgGozIVZpKGGxAacInTdXELwTt2HyrP47OnbfHaSJZdzURaCbJOQJOgEBUxqsEO~Q1xBD2fDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carl, the town’s external auditor, told the Leonardtown Town Council the audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, yielded an unmodified (clean) opinion and did not include any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies.

The auditor said total general‑fund revenues came in higher than budgeted — roughly $3.0 million versus a budgeted ~$2.45 million — driven mainly by stronger interest income and higher income‑tax receipts. Carl said interest income contributed most of the positive variance and that income‑tax receipts also exceeded budget. He noted capital projects and timing of encumbrances continued to produce year‑to‑year fluctuations in expenditures.

Why it matters: an unmodified opinion means the auditor found the financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, and a healthy unassigned fund balance reduces short‑term fiscal risk. The council heard that the town’s unassigned fund balance was about $2 million at year‑end, which the auditor said was within the town’s fund‑balance policy target.

Details from the presentation included: the town consolidated information on governmental and proprietary funds; proprietary funds showed an operating loss on a GAAP basis driven by noncash depreciation but positive operating results before depreciation; capital assets in construction‑in‑progress reflected the wastewater treatment plant work; and interest earnings on escrow and investment accounts helped offset some debt service costs. The auditor summarized the town’s two recent bond issuances, existing debt service schedules and the composition of net position for proprietary funds.

Carl also reported that the town expended federal awards during the year related to COVID/ARPA that required a single audit for FY2024. He said the town’s single‑audit work did not produce compliance findings that rose to the level of material weaknesses for federal awards and described the town as moving toward a low‑risk auditee designation if the single‑audit pattern continues.

Council members and staff noted two related operational items during the discussion: the town has refinanced a previously anticipated balloon payment with Shore United following a recent parking‑lot purchase, and snow‑removal costs for the recent winter event have already exceeded budget and will affect planned road projects in spring.

Votes at a glance from the meeting: the council approved the minutes from Dec. 8 (voice vote; no roll‑call tally recorded).

Ending: The council did not take further fiscal actions at the meeting; staff and auditors said they would produce the final audit package and that interim financial statements for the current fiscal year will be presented in future meetings.","Auditor Carl reported an unmodified opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, telling the Leonardtown Town Council that revenues exceeded budget largely because of higher interest income and income-tax receipts; the town’s unassigned fund balance remained roughly $2 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town staff warns small businesses about changing federal beneficial‑ownership filing rules

Council OKs $35,000 contract for downtown waterfront plan Phase 5

Council approves $162,000 extension for GHD inspection services on wastewater plant expansion

Town auditor gives unmodified opinion on FY2024; revenues beat budget, fund balance held