On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Commissioners Charles County Health Officer, Dr. Dianna Abney, presented a briefing to Commissioners on the Bi-annual Charles County Health Department update. This presentation took in an-depth look at current COVID-19 variants, vaccination options, and eligible individuals for the COVID-19 vaccine. Some of the topics highlighted in this briefing include disease prevention and health promotion, behavioral health, environmental health, free community programs, the healthy kids’ meal legislation, and data on the current state of health in Charles County.
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head (NSWC IH) Technical Director Ashley Johnson and Charles County Economic Development Department staff presented a briefing to Commissioners on the NSWC IH Smart Arsenal Initiative. This briefing highlighted the NSWC IH division’s Smart Arsenal, which includes three key areas: Smart Infrastructure, Smart Workforce, and Smart Partnerships.
- The Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services staff presented a briefing on the Rural Broadband Task Force updates to Commissioners. This briefing included information on the County’s current, upcoming, and completed broadband projects, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Mapping Project, and concluded with upcoming grant and project opportunities.
- Charles County’s Sheriff Troy Berry and Captain Andrew Schwab presented a briefing to Commissioners on the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Re-Districting project. This briefing included a breakdown of the patrol divisions in each district, research, projections, patrol statistics, and future resolutions for additional officers and staff.
Discussions Commissioners held a discussion on policy for outside participation in Charles County Government activities, led by the County Attorney Wes Adams. Commissioners agreed to return in January to discuss creation of guidelines on this topic.
Commissioners held a discussion on the Adequate Public Safety Ordinance (APSO), introduced by Commissioner Bowling, and co-led by the Department of Emergency Services and the Department of Planning and Growth Management staff. Staff will return with a budget transfer request to hire a consultant to provide a comprehensive analysis of the needs and cost of providing County residents services and amenities.
Public Hearings Commissioners held a public hearing on Bill 2023-10 Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 22-170 Watershed Conservation District (WCD) which summarized the proposed changes Commissioners directed staff to pursue on March 9, 2021. Commissioners voted 4-1 to close the record and adopted Bill 2023-10 ZTA 22-170.
Commissioners also held a public hearing and were presented with a report on the draft Amendment to the Keswick Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA). In the report, the Charles County Government Planning Commission concluded and voted unanimously that the draft agreement is consistent with the 2016 Charles County Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners voted to close the record and adopt the draft Amendment.
Approval Items Commissioners approved:
- A new holiday pay policy, effective Jan. 1, 2024, for all County Government employees working on holidays. To implement this change, the following budget transfers were approved:
- A budget transfer request for the General Fund of $168,500 to support eligible employees working in Emergency Services; Public Works; and Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. This budget transfer is also supporting the impact of providing additional holidays given to County public safety personnel (EMS and 911 Communication Divisions) that were receiving holiday pay compensation.
- A budget transfer request of $43,800 in the Environmental Service Fund to support eligible employees who work in recycling operations for the Department of Public Works.
- A budget transfer request of $51,200 in the Solid Waste Fund to support eligible employees who work in landfill operations for the Department of Public Works.
- A budget transfer request of $19,450 in the Water & Sewer Fund to support eligible employees who work in water & sewer operations for the Department of Public Works.
- A request from the Commission for Veterans Affairs to use $350 of Community Support Funds to purchase polo shirts for public events.
- A request from the Commission for Veterans Affairs to use $400 of Community Support Funds for supplies for their upcoming holiday event.
- Resolution 2023-17 Bond Award of $55 million. The county received 20 bids and received an interest rate of 3.75% which is lower than this year’s anticipated rate and last year’s interest rate.
Proclamations Commissioners issued the following proclamation:
- National Family Caregivers Month
Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: Nov. 28 – 29, 2023
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
