On Tuesday, March 4, Cathy Reisinger, Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Growth Management; Ray Shumaker, Chief of Codes, Permits and Inspection Services; Don Litten, Building Code Official; and Doria Fleisher, Assistant Chief of Media Services, led a briefing on the potential for a rental licensing program at the request of the Board of Commissioners.

Presenters provided recommendations for the structure of a potential rental licensing program that would establish licensing requirements for all rental properties and would institute bi-annual inspections and a one-time registration fee. Additionally, estimated program operating costs and program fees were detailed in the presentation. Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a rental licensing program for Charles County.

2025 Legislative Update

Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, presented an update on the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session. From the Charles County legislative package, Senate Bill 730 received a favorable report from the Senate Finance committee.

Charles County Commissioners were also briefed on several bills from the state level with major implications for the state. They received additional information on the Charles County Legislative Delegation’s response to House Bill 772. According to the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, the Southern Maryland Delegation, which includes state legislators from Charles County, supported the bill that would direct boards of education to provide funding for middle and high school career and technical education counseling.

Commissioners requested information from the Charles County Board of Education on their position in time for the board’s March 11 meeting. Commissioners were also informed that a series of amendments were being discussed for House Bill 1036,  which would alter how solar energy projects are regulated in the state.

Annual Updates

Commissioners were briefed on the activities of the following Charles County Boards and Commissions:

• Board of Appeals
• Planning Commission
• Board of Licensing Commissioners (Liquor Board)
• Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board

Briefings

• Jacqueline Wheeler Lee, Director of the C. D. Mote Jr. Incentive Awards Program at the University of Maryland, thanked commissioners for supporting the program. The scholarship was created to recognize and promote scholarship, leadership and community responsibility among students at certain high schools in the state, including in Charles County. The presentation included a message from students on how the scholarship program helped them in their college careers.
• Julie Wilson, Director of the Charles County Community Mediation Center, briefed commissioners on outcomes at the center. The Charles County Community Mediation Center was founded in 2016 and partners with multiple organizations to provide conflict resolution services for family, interpersonal, property, school and other disputes. The center’s 2024 evaluations scored high marks for allowing individuals to express themselves and reach fair agreements for both parties.
• Commissioners discussed a state decision to declare September as African Heritage Month in Charles County. As the declaration came from the state, commissioners did not vote on the item.

Commissioners' Goals and Objectives Update

Periodically, commissioners receive a report on the work done by county government to further their goals and objectives. On March 4, commissioners received an update on the government’s efforts to advance objectives in institutional governance and policy. During the briefing, commissioners received updates on several objectives within this goal:

Goal 1: Invest and develop a diverse, highly skilled and motivated workforce

The human resources recruitment division expanded outreach efforts by participating in industry-specific events for each hiring department. Several retention initiatives have also been launched, including the Burnalong wellness program, Biometric screenings, and more.

Goal 2: Maintain the highest level of fiscal responsibility

Charles County Government maintained its AAA Bond Rating for an eighth consecutive year. The AAA bond rating is the highest credit rating a bond-issuing agency can attain. Commissioners also passed a $561 million budget with record funding to the Board of Education and Charles County Sheriff’s Office with no tax rate increases.

Goal 3: Review and update policies and procedures regularly for adequacy, relevance, and applicability

The county government is poised to update or implement several major policy and code updates, including implementing programs from the Disparity study, updating the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, updating the Zoning Code, and more.

Goal 4: Promote accessible and transparent government operations

Charles County Government continues to maintain several programs to expand engagement with residents including Stay Engaged, Charles County, Citizens Academy, and Inside Your Cunty Government programming produced by Charles County Government Television.

Actions on Boards and Commissions

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

• Appoint Christopher Alberts, Jessica Jennings, Rebekah Carmichael, as members to the Library Board of Trustees.
• Reappoint Kevin Wedding as the Chairman of the Planning Commission for 2025.
• Reappoint Cathy Thompson as Employee of Charles County Government and appoint Brentnoll Bovell as an At-Large Member, to the Charles County Pension Plan Committee.
• Appoint Richard Wallace and Sonya D. Harris as Citizen Members to the Commission for Veterans Affairs.
• Appoint Michael Biggs as an HOA Resident member and Veronica Browne-Barnes as Real Estate/Development/Community association member to the Homeowner’s Association Dispute Review Board.
• Reappoint Sherry Burks as a Faith-based community member, appoint Gregory Barrett and Lisa Connors to the Interfaith Commission.
• Appoint Charles W. Quade Sr., Hal Orbits and Natalie Cotton as Citizen Members to the Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board. 
• Appoint Kimberly M. Bredell as a Minority Business Owner, Beatrice K. Johnson as a Small Business Owner to the Business Development Loan Fund for Women, Minorities and Veterans Committee.

 

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A letter of support for  $6.4 million in federal earmarks to fully fund construction of a VanGO Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility.
• Commissioners provided approval to move forward with the recommendation to demolish the Winkler House, which is located on the property adjacent to where the new La Plata Library will be constructed. Commissioners wrote to the Town of La Plata in January to inquire about any interest in taking responsibility for preservation of the home before proceeding with a potential demolition. The town responded in February, declining interest in this option. After demolishing the Winkler House, a pocket park is proposed to occupy the space where the home once stood. An exhibit will also be displayed in the La Plata Library commemorating the house and featuring preserved items.