On Tuesday, May 14, Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, and Ms. TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget, held the final recap of the Fiscal 2025 General Operating Budget and the Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Projects. The briefing included a final review of budget changes, including commissioner changes to the general fund and the capital improvement projects. Afterward, Commissioners then voted unanimously to approve the fiscal 2025 budget, including the general fund budget, the capital improvement program, enterprise fund budgets, and the County’s fees & charges list.

Briefings

·       Dr. Dianna Abney, Health Officer, provided the bi-annual report from the Charles County Department of Health. Presentation highlights include an update on the Nursing Program, a Virtual Narcan training program, Mental Health Awareness Month events, and the second-annual “Prep 4 Pride” Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from noon - 6 p.m.

• Julie Walton, Director of the Charles County Community Mediation Center at the College of Southern Maryland, provided a briefing on the center’s activities.
• Joseph Green, Director of Strategic Partnerships at GS Proctor & Associates, provided a briefing on the Brighter Tomorrow Act, which affects Solar Energy Generating Systems in the state. The law, passed during the 2024 Maryland General Assembly, requires the establishment of the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program, extending the duration of renewable energy credits, and other changes.
• Martin Harris, Director, Charles A. Strawberry, Jr., Capital Services Program Manager, Department of Public Works, and Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Director of the Department on Economic Development., provided a presentation on the feasibility of placing a logo on a Water Tower to promote the county. The presentation discussed the current and future towers in the county, the visibility of each current tower, and sample pricing for placing a logo on a tower. The Commissioners discussed the potential for the Bryan’s Road tower as a promotional vehicle for the Charles County Western Technology Corridor and asked that staff begin to develop policies pertaining to placing logos on water towers.

Public Hearings

Commissioners held a public hearing on Bill 2024-09: Zoning Map Amendment 23-03 Martin Knapp Properties. The bill would change the zoning of 8.1 acres along Leonardtown Road and Moses Way from Central Business to High-Density Residential. Commissioners voted 3-2 to close the record and pass the bill. Commissioners also held a public hearing for the draft Proposed Amendment to Indenture Docket 250 Villages at Swan Point. The bill would include definitions for Time-Share properties and fractional Ownership, as well as other changes. Commissioners voted unanimously to keep the record open for thirty days.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to adopt Proposed Bill 2024-10: Amendments to the Charles County Building Code.

Approval items

Commissioners approved:

• A letter of response to the Board of Fire and Rescue regarding the Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Assessment Final Report.
• A joint use agreement between Charles County Public Schools and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism.

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

 

Next Commissioners Session: May 21 – May 22

 

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