What is Ex Parte Communications? When decision-making processes (e.g., in local government) give the appearance, real or imagined, of being one-sided or prejudiced, and therefore, full due process is not provided to the public.

This is important to ensure impartiality and fairness by the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals as they review projects for consistency with the Town Ordinance, the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, and other requirements.

• To ensure our consideration & the commission’s discussion is open & multi-sided, rather than one-sided.
• The Town Planning Commission (PC ) is a Governing Body that must abide by Maryland State Law.

The Town Planning Commission, at their September 5, 2023, reviewed their Rules of Procedure and will include an ex parte policy or clause:

“Ex Parter Communication:

Ex Parte Communications Prohibited - An ex parte communication includes an oral or written communication not on the public record to which reasonable prior notice is not given to all parties. Such communication between Commission members and interested persons is prohibited if relevant to the merits of a Commission proceeding. Members should not discuss applications with applicants or other interested persons outside the confines of a public meeting ,but should recommend that the person(s) contact Staff with any questions or concerns.

b. Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications - If a member does inadvertently engage in an ex parte communication, the member should - at the next meeting in which the relevant application is to be discussed - state the nature of the communication and submit for the record any written communication received, any written response to a communication, state the substance of each oral communication received, and state the substance of any oral response to a communication. Alternatively, the member may recuse himself or herself from voting on that specific application. If a member does not disclose ex parte communications, they may be subject to the provisions of Chapter 20, Ethics of the Town Code.”

I hope the incoming Town Council will include this clause in their Rules of Procedure.

Source: Planning Ethics and Ex Parte Communications
Planning Commission Training Course

YouTube Video

The 4/5th Democratic Club hosted a La Plata candidate forum at the Green Turtle, La Plata, on Monday, April 14.

All candidates attended:
Mayor, Jeannine E. James (incumbent), Ralph Wayne Winkler
Ward I, Paul C. Guttenberg, David Winkler (incumbent)
Ward II, Richard Gilpin, Patrick McCormick
Ward III, Tarinna Olley, Gregory Sampson, Jr.
Ward IV, Tyjon C "TJ" Johnson – unopposed

Questions were provided to the candidates before the forum.

Format:
2-minute opening statement
2-minute response to three questions
2-minute closing statement

All candidates were requested to provide written or video responses after the form ended.
The forum was recorded.

This was an informative event. It provided an opportunity to learn about each candidate, their communication skills, and why they are running.

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

My view/takeaways:

Candidates provided thoughtful answers.
Some were better prepared than others
Some responses were critical of the Town Council:

*Approving development without the necessary infrastructure
*Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO not done

Full disclosure- perhaps I'm biased by criticism of the Town Council, but accept them as a current Council member (until May 12, 2025)

While these criticisms are valid, additional facts (good and bad) and perspectives are provided rather than just criticizing the town and processes.

YouTube Video Link

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the third in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s third review and discussion of the proposed Operating Budget and the proposed FY 2026 Fee Schedule.

La Plata YouTube Meeting Link
Discussion - Fee Schedule: Minute 29:49
Discussion of Any Outstanding Budget Items: Minute 42:33

La Plata General Election - Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM, Town Hall

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the second podcast series about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s second review of the proposed Operating Budget, and first review of two proposed draft versions of FY 26 Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Stormwater Management, with the 457 Deferred Compensation, and with Pension, plan, from the March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting.

The draft Enterprise budgets were emailed to the Council at 11:35 AM on Friday, March 21, 2025. I emailed my initial Enterprise draft budget comments and questions to the Finance Director and Town Council on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The sources for this podcast/video are materials provided to the Town Council for those items on the published Town Council agenda and posted to the public and emailed to the Council, Friday, March 21, 2025.

The Finance Committee provided additional information to the Town Council at the meeting. Finance Comm materials 25mar25
*Fact Sheet: The State of US Public Pensions in 2024
*Sources for 457 (b) Vs Pension Plan Comparison

La Plata YouTube – March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting

*Monthly Finance Report – Finance Director Larsen – Minute 10:18
*Finance Committee Discussion /FY 2026 Enterprise Budgets Discussion – Minute 28:12

La Plata Ward 4 Update YouTube Video

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the first in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s first review of two proposed draft versions of the FY 26 Operating Budget, at our March 18, 2025, Town Council meeting. Operating budget options:

*FY 2026 Operating Budget – With 457
*FY 2026 Operating Budget With Pension

These were provided to the Council by email at 4:47 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025.

This was followed by Council questions and discussion. No vote was taken, and Council discussion will continue at our March 25 Council meeting.

I emailed comments and questions to the Town Council and Finance Director at 7:39 PM on Monday, March 17, 2025.

The source for this podcast/video is the materials provided to the Town Council for those items on published March 18, 2025.

Town Council agenda was posted to the public and emailed to the Council, on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Council discussion of the two alternative draft operating budgets will continue at the March 25 (Tuesday) Town Council meeting and two alternative (with 457, with pension) Enterprise Fund budgets.

Fiance Committee Recommendations

March 18, 2025, Town Council Meeting YouTube

Finance Committee Recommendations Discussion/Questions - 8:50

Town Council Operating Budget Discussion/Questions - 56:27

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and video, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music.

This is an excerpt from my last article for the forthcoming Spring 2025 Town Newsletter - my hopes for the incoming Town Council, in place May 10, 2025.

It's been a privilege and honor to serve on the Town Council. I am proud of the progress we have made working together to improve La Plata’s quality of life.

Also update on:

• Town Manager Selection process
• Finance Committee meeting since January 2025.

Links

• YouTube Video

Town engagement examples:

• Charles County YouTube
• Frederick County, MD Budget Portal
• Chapel Hill, NC

Strategic Plan Dashboard example - Castle Pine, Colorado

Complete Streets

Vision Zero

Monroe County, NY, Community Safety Team

Thanks for listening to and watching.

Email your questions and comments to djenkins@townoflaplata.org

Stay safe. Looking forward to spring!

An update about:

• 2025 La Plata Town elections
• Town Manager Selection process

Links:

YouTube Video

2025 Election Candidates

My Facebook Page (David Jenkins, Ward 4 Update) and podcast/video series (La Plata Ward 4 Update) are evolving to become Crosswalks, providing an independent, factual look at planning and development in Southern Maryland.

Crosswalks will continue to bring you information, - from land use and zoning to economic development, housing, transportation, and infrastructure. I will break down the policies, projects, critical issues, and decisions that impact and shape our region, communities, and daily lives. I also hope to include expert interviews and discussions.

With limited local news coverage, my hope is Crosswalks will fill the gap—informing, analyzing, and connecting the dots about growth and development affecting Southern Maryland.

Stay tuned as I transition to Crosswalks by May 2025, bringing you even more insightful conversations about the future of our communities.

Next are updates and reminders about the upcoming La Plata Town Elections, and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget calendar.

Links:
Town Election

Town FY 2026 Budget Calendar

Podcast/video - La Plata Fiscal Year (FY) 26 Budget Process, December 16, 2024 -

Finally, an update about the Town Manager selection process.