[Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024] On Tuesday, November 19, Dr. Dianna Abney, Health Officer, led a briefing on the Proposed Blue Zone Initiative. In the presentation, she discussed the zip codes covered during the assessment period and the planned engagement opportunities. The Blue Zones initiative is part of a broader global effort using lessons learned in areas where people historically lived into the 100s, to help improve health outcomes in other areas.

During the afternoon session, Elizabeth Theobalds, Deputy County Attorney, briefed Commissioners on the legal fees that have been incurred with the lawsuit filed in December 2022. Based on the report, the legal fee expenses total $1.5M through November 15, 2024. Ms. Theobalds also informed the Commissioners of the potential liability for unapproved legal fees incurred by attorneys pursuing appeals on Commissioner Coates' behalf, totaling approximately $139K. The Commissioners requested further clarification of the legal fees and asked for an additional update next month.

Briefings

• Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, briefed commissioners on Proposed Bill 2024-17 Cobb Island Golf Cart. The Bill would allow golf carts to operate on Cobb Island if the operator possesses a valid driver’s license and operates only between dawn and dusk, among other restrictions. The law would only apply to county roads. Commissioners received authority for this county bill through the passage of House Bill 43 into law by the Maryland General Assembly in May. Commissioners unanimously accepted the bill and scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 14, 2025, at 6 p.m.
• Renesha Miles, Chief Equity Officer, and Elaine Pollard, DEI/HR Coordinator, briefed Commissioners on the upcoming Equity Assessment/Employee Experience Survey. The survey was presented as an opportunity to assess workforce culture, strengthen county equity focus, and identify challenges and opportunities for internal alignment. The process is slated to begin with a Kick-off meeting with staff on Dec. 5. The employee experience survey will be open from Dec. 9 to Dec. 23, with focus groups to examine the data held early next year.

Public Hearings

Commissioners held a public hearing on the Fiscal 2025 Municipal Storm Water (MS4) Financial Assurance Plan (FAP)­. The plan demonstrates that the county has sufficient funding in the current and subsequent fiscal years to meet estimated costs for the two years immediately following the filing date to implement the Municipal Stormwater permit. The Fiscal 2025 Financial Assurance Plan is based on the county’s current Municipal Stormwater permit, which requires restoration of 1,083 acres of impervious surface. The county has restored roughly half (557 acres) of the impervious surface necessary and appears on track to achieve the goal by 2027. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plan.

Commissioners also unanimously approved Proposed Bill 2024-14: Revisions to the Homeowners Tax Credit. The revisions bring the county’s homeowners tax credit in line with state law by requiring that the homeowner’s combined income does not exceed the state homeowners tax credit eligibility criteria.

Approval Items

• A budget amendment increase of $73,500 to purchase 25 Less-Than-Lethal Launchers for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Squad and Emergency Response Team.
• A budget amendment increase of $36,000 for a potential land donation. Funding was provided by deposits of $18,000 from Melwood and the Official Piscataway Conoy Tribe of Maryland, Inc. Payment of funds does not guarantee donation of the property, and commissioners will hold a public hearing to solicit and accept comments regarding the request.
• A letter of support for the Board of Education’s Fiscal 2026 Capital Improvement Projects request to the State Interagency Committee on School Construction (IAC).
• The purchase of a Sponsorship package for the Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast using $1,250 in Community Support Funds.
• A request to establish the Charles County Government Employee Deferred Compensation Program Committee.

 

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 7-1-1 (Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258).