On Tuesday, Dec. 5, Commissioners held a work session on a county bill that would require restaurants in Charles County to offer a healthy meal and beverage option for kids. The bill would require restaurants to offer a healthy beverage option within 12 months of the bill’s passage and a healthy meal option within 18 months of bill passage. Assistant Deputy County Attorney Danielle Mitchell told commissioners the bill was back before them after commissioners decided in October to hold the record open for 30 days. Mitchell said that two additional comments came in during that time.

Doria Fleisher, Community Engagement Coordinator, briefed commissioners on an opportunity for an engagement plan to reach out for information from between 10-20 local restaurants on topics related to the time frames and other requirements in the bill. Commissioners also offered up a series of amendments including changing the serving size of unfried fruit and vegetables from a ½ cup to ¼ cup. Commissioners also added an amendment to include water, sparkling water, and flavored water with no added sweeteners to the list of acceptable beverages, as well as flavored milk. The bill will come back to the commissioners for final passage on Dec. 12.

Briefings

• The Charles County Executive Leadership Team held a briefing to Review the Commissioners’ Goals and Objectives. The briefing included a review of initiatives surrounding five focus areas:
  • Economic Development
  • Quality of Life
  • Resiliency & Sustainability
  • Emergency Preparedness, Response & Safety
  • Institutional Governance

The leadership team discussed these issues using three areas of consideration: Commissioner election platforms; community feedback; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Staff provided a briefing to Commissioners on the State funding that was provided to support a Waldorf Urban Park and Amphitheater project. Commissioners gave consensus for staff to begin the feasibility study on the project.  Once the study is completed, adding the project to the County’s Capital Improvement Program will be considered.
• Budget staff provided a briefing on the General Fund first quarter outlook for fiscal 2024.
• Budget staff provided a status update on the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) plan.  Commissioners approved a transfer of $816,952 to the Department of Emergency Services to expand their Mobile Integrated Health team to support behavioral health. In addition to this transfer, the Commissioners approved eight new full-time positions to support this program.

Approval Items
Commissioners approved:

• A budget amendment increase of $42,200 to adjust Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s budget to account for donations received to support their programs such as sports camps, K-9, teen court, and National Night Out.
• A budget transfer request of $3,530,500 to recognize the change in State funding for the T.C. Martin Elementary Addition/Renovation project.  When the FY2024 budget was adopted, the County assumed the State funding would be higher. The County will be forward funding the State share until the State funding can be provided.
• Review of the application for residents to apply for the Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit and approval of a new full-time position under Fiscal & Administrative Services to support the impact of administrating this new tax credit.

 

Proclamations

• Commissioners read a proclamation recognizing Dec. 1-10, 2023, as Human Rights Week.

 

Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here

 

Next Commissioners Session: Dec. 12-13, 2023

 

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.