On Tuesday, Sept. 24, The Board of County Commissioners hosted members of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) during their 2024 Consolidated Transportation Program Tour. As a part of their tour, officials presented the fiscal 2025-2030 Consolidated Transportation Program Report, which includes updates on transportation projects across the state, including the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project. After the presentation, residents were invited to comment publicly on the state’s transportation plan.

During the morning session, Commissioners held a work session on the 2025 Preliminary State Legislative Proposal Package. The session, led by Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, finalized the package of legislative proposals to be sent to Annapolis during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session starting in January. Commissioners approved eight bills, including a bill that would require citizens to provide identification for a civil violation for smoking cannabis in public. Commissioners will wrap up their work on the 2025 State Legislative Proposal Package during a later session.

Briefings

·       Jacob Dyer, Acting Director, and TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget, Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, held a briefing on the General Fund for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024. At the end of this presentation, the Commissioners approved the year-end fund balance reserves as presented by staff.

·        Jenifer Ellin, Acting Deputy County Administrator, and Kelli Scherer, Budget Analyst II, held a briefing updating commissioners on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Additionally, a budget transfer request of $315,400 was requested to cover additional costs for the School-Based Community Health Clinic at Indian Head Elementary School. Commissioners approved the request.

Annual Updates

Commissioners heard updates on the activities of the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) and the Gaming Permit Review Board.

Actions on Boards and Commissions

Commissioners took the following actions on Charles County Boards and Commissions:

• Reappoint Dawud Abdur Rahman and William Murray and to appoint Ryan Sekuterski to the Planning Commission.
• Reappoint Tia Spencer-Blake and to appoint Espirita Garrison as the District 2 Representative and Quantral Fletcher as the at large member to the Charles County Police Accountability Board.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A budget transfer request of $88,870 to fund the county matching portion of an MD Bikeways Grant to study the first phase of the Indian Head Rail Trail extension. Funding would come from using funds initially slated for the Newburg Sub-Area plan, which will not be completed before the 2026 Comprehensive Plan.
• A change order of $165,264.55 to cover construction administration services provided by MW Studios during the construction of the new animal shelter.
• A settlement agreement related to the Mattawoman Flow Equalization Basin project.

Viewing option of the meeting and the public hearing: Click Here

 

Next Commissioners Session: Oct. 1-2

 

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