ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — St. Mary’s County District 1 Commissioner Eric Colvin recently joined Chris Hill on “Get Real with Southern Maryland Politics” to discuss the county’s budget priorities, housing challenges, and his campaign for a third term on the County Board of Commissioners.
Colvin stated serving as commissioner has been the honor of his life, describing the role as both challenging and rewarding. “Most days are very interesting, and at the end of the day it’s a chance to serve the community,” he said.
During the conversation, Colvin emphasized that building the county’s annual budget is the board’s most important responsibility. He described the budget as a policy document that reflects the county’s priorities. “You can say whatever you want, but where you put your money shows what your priorities are,” Colvin said.
He noted that St. Mary’s County benefits from a strong local economy tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, but increasing mandates from the state continue to create financial pressure. One of the biggest challenges is funding education requirements under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, commonly known as the Kirwan Plan.
While Colvin said the goals of the legislation are widely supported, meeting those requirements remains difficult for counties. “No one disagrees with the goals,” he said. “The challenge is figuring out how to pay for them.”
Colvin explained that the county’s two primary revenue sources are income and property taxes. Income tax revenue can be difficult to predict because it is collected by the state and distributed to counties later based on economic conditions. “That’s one of the hardest parts of building the budget,” he said.
Once revenue estimates are set, commissioners must allocate funding across essential services, including the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, libraries, and other community partners.
Housing affordability was another major topic during the interview. Hill, a real estate agent, described the issue as a growing challenge for many residents who want to buy homes locally. Colvin agreed but noted that housing affordability is a nationwide issue influenced by factors beyond the county’s control, including construction costs and interest rates.
“Housing is a statewide and national issue,” he said. “There are a lot of factors that local government simply can’t control.”
However, he said the county can influence some costs, including the excise tax on new construction. Colvin said he opposed proposals to increase the tax because it ultimately raises housing prices. “In fact, I proposed lowering it,” he said.
Colvin also pointed to the county’s ongoing comprehensive plan update as a key opportunity to shape future development. The plan will guide zoning and land-use decisions for decades. “Getting that right is critical because it determines what the county will look like 20 or 30 years from now,” he said.
While he acknowledged the need for more starter homes for young professionals, teachers, and law enforcement officers, Colvin said he does not support large-scale high-density housing that could alter the county’s rural character. Colvin also expressed concern about increasing state involvement in local zoning decisions, noting that many policies are being driven by lawmakers in Annapolis.
“Local zoning autonomy has always been a hallmark of local government,” he said. “We don’t want Annapolis deciding what gets built here.”
Reflecting on his time in office, Colvin highlighted several accomplishments, including the expansion of broadband access across rural areas. Using federal COVID-19 relief funds, the county invested heavily in broadband infrastructure to support remote work and education.
“Ten years ago, many areas didn’t have a choice in internet providers,” he said. “Now more residents do.”
He also pointed to improvements in rural fire protection, including the installation of large water supply tanks for volunteer departments in communities such as Drayden and Ridge, which help firefighters respond more effectively in areas without hydrants.
“These tanks can help save property and potentially save lives,” Colvin said.
Colvin asserted he has also worked to increase transparency in local government by posting weekly summaries of commissioner meetings online so residents can easily follow county decisions.
As he seeks a third term, Colvin said his goal remains simple: continue serving the community.
“It’s been an absolute honor to serve,” he said. “And I’d like the opportunity to continue that work for the people of St. Mary’s County.”
Watch the full interview below:
About Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics
The interview is part of The BayNet’s new candidate video podcast series, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics,” which features conversations with Southern Maryland candidates running for county commissioner, state delegate and state senator.
Upcoming election coverage can be found at https://thebaynet.com/elections.
Related