Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, also presented a briefing on the fiscal impact of a Charter Form of Government vs. a Code Home Rule Form of Government. According to the presentation, the estimated impact of transitioning from code home rule to a charter form of government is between $1.1 and $1.6 million. Those costs could be higher if renovations to the County Government building are needed.
Following these presentations, commissioners voted unanimously to dissolve the charter board.
- Cathy Thompson, Assistant Chief of Planning; Rick Barnas and Steve Scott, representatives of the St. Charles Community; and Esther Reed, Charles County Archaeologist; briefed commissioners on a plan to preserve Hopewell Burial Ground in White Plains.
· Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Charles County Board of Education to discuss the 2024 school allocation cycle. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the analysis and allocated seats to future housing projects.
· Wes Adams, County Attorney; Jason Groth, Acting Director of Planning and Growth Management; Heather Kelly, Planning Supervisor; Raymond Shumaker, Chief of Codes, Permits and Inspection Services; and Andrew Balchin, Chief of Infrastructure Management; briefed commissioners on an update of the bonding process.
Department Highlights
Commissioners received updates on the activities of the following Charles County Boards and Commissions:
- Commission on Individuals with Disabilities
- Commission for Women
- Charles County Pension Plan
- Sheriff’s Office Disability Review Board
Actions on Boards and Commissions
Charles County Commissioners took the following actions on county boards and commissions:
- Appoint Mary Stokely as a Real Estate Sales Professional member, Cheryl Walker as the At-Large Member, and Laz Watkins as a Homeowners Association Resident member to the Homeowners Association Dispute Review Board.
Commissioners approved:
· A budget amendment increase of $181,460 to cover pending Infrastructure Management Invoices.
· A budget amendment increase of $479,000 to the inspection and review fund to cover cost overruns in the contract services account due to the heavy volume of inspections performed in Fiscal Year 2024.
· A budget transfer request of $60,100 to convert a full-time reduced-hours Accounting Specialist position to a full-time position at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
· A budget amendment increase of $110,000 to cover increased expenses for EMS Budget Contracts.
· A budget amendment of $40,000 from the Drug Forfeiture Fund Balance to the Drug Forfeiture Training Budget to send 15 Emergency Support Team Personnel to a 5-day training program.
· A budget amendment increase of $87,150 to carryover FY2024 funding to FY2025 to finalize the purchase of self-service kiosks for the Charles County Circuit Court.
· A budget amendment increase of $115,660 to carryover FY2024 approved funding to the FY2025 budget to support a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Assessment for the Department of Human Resources.
· A budget transfer request of $131,600 to cover the cost of operating costs associated with a property acquisition.
· A budget amendment increase of $43,350 to increase the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Budget to cover renovating the female locker room and bathrooms.
· A lease renewal for the Centennial Street Satellite Building.
· A letter authorizing transfer of Federal Earmarks for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project.
· A letter of support for the Neighborhood Business Works Business Boost Microgrant.
· A request from the Commission for Veterans Affairs to use community support funds.
· A proposed modification to Appendix F of the Charles County Road Ordinance.
· A proposed revision to the Commissioner Expense Policy. Commissioners voted 3-2 to pass the revision.
· A request for approval for comprehensive training for Charles County Boards and Commissions.
· Multiple agenda items for continued work towards the finalization of the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant Flow Equalization Basin. The Basin is expected to be complete in November 2025 (click below for more information).
Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: Sept. 10-11
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
