On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Charles County Board of Commissioners and the Charles County Board of Education met for a joint meeting at the Charles County Board of Education building in La Plata. Commissioners and school officials discussed educational finance forecasting for the Blueprint for Maryland’s future. They identified funding challenges, reviewed services that the Blueprint may not fully fund, and developed a multi-year strategic budget planning process for the school system.
Commissioners then met during the afternoon to hold their annual hearing on the preliminary state legislative proposal package. Commissioners and Charles County legislative delegation members heard from residents on 26 proposals for consideration as bills that are introduced during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session. A work session is tentatively scheduled on Sept. 24 for Commissioners to finalize which proposals will move forward for submission to the state delegation.
- Amy Blessinger, Planner III, held a briefing on Proposed Bill 2024-13 Zoning Text Amendment 24-184, Additional Transitional Provision for the Waldorf Activity Center Zones. The bill would create new five-year transitional provisions to modify specific zoning requirements in the Waldorf Central Zone and Action Urban Center Zone in the Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor (WURC). Provisions include modifying mixed-use building requirements and removing requirements to purchase Transferable Development Rights, also known as TDRs. The changes would be re-evaluated towards the end of the 5-year period. Revisions would also be made to improve the clarity of the zoning requirements. Commissioners voted to introduce the bill and scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at 6 p.m.
· Ms. Kelli Beavers, Director; Mr. Sam Drury, Deputy Director; Mr. Tim Drummond, Chief of Parks; Ms. Ashley Chenault, Chief of Tourism, Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism; Ms. Dina Barclay, Director; Ms. Laura Gustafson, Deputy Director, Department of Community Services; and Ms. Cathy Thompson, Assistant Chief of Planning, Mr. Jeffry Barnett, Chief of Transit, and Mr. Jason Groth, Acting Director, Department of Planning and Growth Management, updated commissioners on how their departments are working to improve Quality of Life in Charles County.
Approval Items
- A budget amendment increase of $87,100 to allow the Department of Planning & Growth Management to carry over unspent contract services budget funds. The carry-over would support scanning costs that occurred in July due to the timing of a document scanning contract.
- A budget transfer request of $228,500 in construction costs to evaluate pump stations and implement improvements to the Charles County Detention Center Pump Station. Funding is available through the Detention Center Pump Station Rehabilitation Project.
- A revised Fiscal 2025 CORE Funding Agreement between the county and the Charles County Health Department. The revision added $487,497 and local funding to cover cuts in funding made by the state.
- The Fiscal 2026 Budget Calendar. The calendar includes important dates to request funding for elected officials and agency staff. The first budget work session is scheduled for March 25, 2026. The Operating and Capital Budgets public hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2025. The final adoption of the Fiscal 2026 budget is scheduled for May 13, 2025.
- A deer cooperator permit letter for Shlagel farms.
- A request for the Legacy of Honor Project to Display a Missing Man Table on Sept. 20, 2024. The display table coincides with the 48th annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which Congress established to honor American Prisoners of War and those declared Missing in Action.
- A temporary suspension of Park and Recreation Fee increases in response to citizen concerns about costs. Fees will be assessed later in the year.
Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: Sept. 17-18.
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
