On Tuesday, June 24, Michelle Frye, Acting Director of the Charles County Economic Development Department (EDD), and Mark Thompson, Chief of Commercial Development, presented a quarterly update on the impact of federal executive orders on Charles County. The EDD has developed and launched a new, dedicated Federal Government Transition Support webpage to help residents and businesses affected by these changes. This centralized hub offers job search assistance, unemployment resources, small business support, and information on available benefits programs. The webpage is available at: www.MeetCharlesCounty.com/Government-Transition-Resources.
The update included information about state resources available for separated employees through the Professional Outplacement Assistance Center. Local resources were also shared, including Southern Maryland American Job Centers in Waldorf in Charles County, and California in St. Mary’s County. Southern Maryland American Job Centers offer job search assistance, career counseling, employment workshops, and additional services. The EDD is conducting a community survey to better understand the local impact of the federal workforce transition and guide future support efforts. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JP5N9RC.
Charles County Commissioners also held their annual work session on the 2025 Local Legislative Proposals. The annual work session enables residents to submit their proposals to commissioners for consideration as potential county bills. Commissioners provided consensus for staff to continue working on a bill that would expand the scope of nuisance enforcement to include commercial properties and abandoned or bank-owned properties, and other amendments to Chapter 85 of the Charles County Code. Additionally, the Board asked for a fiscal note to be included with the requested changes to the Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit.
- Commissioners discussed the proposed express lanes on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge presented by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). George Clark, Transportation Director for the Southern Maryland Tri-County Council, told commissioners the lanes would connect to the Northern Virginia Regional Express Lanes Network. However, there are concerns that the new toll lanes could have a significant impact on traffic across the bridge, which residents use in their daily commutes to and from Virginia. A public hearing on the potential lanes was held in Charles County on June 16. Commissioners voted unanimously to have a letter drafted in support of alternatives for the toll lanes to be entered into VDOT’s public comment process.
- Renesha Miles, Chief Equity Officer, presented findings of the equity assessment on Charles County government. Survey respondents prioritized issues that focused on the selection and promotion process, pay equity and transparency, and other cultural improvements.
- Wes Adams, County Attorney, provided an update on the fire suppression task force. The County Attorney joined Michelle Lilly, Director of Emergency Services, and Deborah Hall, Acting County Administrator, for a meeting with Charles County Volunteer Fire Department leadership on June 16. Topics included working with an outside consultant, possible leadership changes, updates to the Board of Fire and Rescue statute, and other issues.
Boards and Commissions Annual Update
Commissioners heard updates on the activities of the following Charles County Boards and Commissions:
Approval Items
- A budget amendment increase of $166,400 to the Department of Emergency Services to account for overruns in the Billing Contract and EMS Billing Fee Budget.
- A budget amendment increase of $216,000 to support the Inspection and Review Fund’s Credit Card Processing budget.
- A budget transfer request of $930,000 to cover anticipated expenses in the Contract Services account through the end of Fiscal Year 2025.
- A budget transfer request of $2.1 million to transfer funds from the Old Washington Road Sewer Project to the Sewer Contingency Project. The Old Washington Road Sewer Project is no longer necessary, as upgrades to the Zekiah Pump Station will address the flows in the Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor.
- A budget transfer request of $64,500 to support additional costs related to Planning & Growth Management’s goal to procure a consultant to assist in streamlining their review process. $100,000 in the General Fund, previously approved for this purpose, will be carried over from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026, along with the $64,500 in the Inspection and Review Fund, to allow staff to continue their work.
- A change order and budget amendment increase of $175,000 for additional construction costs on the Mattawoman Waste Water Treatment Plant Flow Equalization Basin Project.
- A Fiscal Year Inter-Category Budget Change of $5.7 million by the Charles County Board of Education for Instructional Salaries and Wages, Administration Fees, and other costs.
- The Fiscal Year 2026 Charles County Board of Education Budget.
- Letters of intent for the College of Southern Maryland’s Fiscal Year 2027 Renovation of the Campus Center and Bookstore Project.
- Approval of collective bargaining agreements for Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Charles County Correctional Officers Association (CCCOA).
