On Tuesday, Sept. 30, representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation visited Charles County for their annual Consolidated Transportation Program Tour. Representatives discussed various transit projects with Commissioners, including an update on the planning and review process for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project. Other projects discussed included the replacement of the bridge across Mattawoman Creek on Route 225, and a study for upgrades to the intersection at Route 301 and Route 228 in Waldorf.
Briefings
- Jim Chandler, Director, and Mark Thompson, Chief of Commercial Development, Department of Economic Development, briefed Commissioners on their participation in the 2nd annual Maryland Data Center Summit and the introduction of the Summit's host, Kelly Schulz, Executive Director of the Maryland Tech Council (MTC).
The briefing included conversations on the regulation of data centers, mitigation efforts for noise and environmental impacts, and fiscal growth and community benefits of data centers. Questions and discussion from the Commissioners included a broad overview of industry opportunities and impacts, infrastructure constraints, and recently adopted and pending legislation for consideration by the State of Maryland.
Public Hearings
On Tuesday, September 30, the Charles County Commissioners held a public hearing to update residents on a Community Development Block Grant for the Jude House. The organization recently received a grant to purchase and renovate a home that is now the Robin’s Nest, a recovery housing program for pregnant women and women with children. Ongoing funding is provided through a Purchase of Care Service agreement, which reimburses $34 per bed per night, with an annual cap of $54,400. The Commissioners voted unanimously to close the record.
In addition to this public hearing, Commissioners:
- Voted unanimously to submit a Community Development Block Grant Application by the Salvation Army. The grant would rehabilitate its Waldorf facility for use as a warming center.
- Voted unanimously to adopt Proposed Bill 2025-03: The Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services Tax Rate (Corrections to Charles County Code, Chapter 54). The bill corrects an error in citation of the tax rate in the county code and corrects the omission of the Executive Committee of the Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services as a record keeper, reviewer, and reporter of members’ credits for participation in the Length of Service Award Program.
- Voted unanimously to approve the 2025 Bond issue. Charles County authorized the sale of $75 million in bonds to be used for various projects, including renovations to Charles County Board of Education facilities, environmental service fund projects, improvements to general government facilities, and other applicable uses.
- Voted unanimously to approve amendments to the Solid Waste Management Plan. Amendments include adding a glossary of terms, details on existing solid waste facilities, and an amendment application process for private entities.
Approval Items
- A budget transfer request for $68,820 to cover routine maintenance of solar flares and extraction wells at the Charles County landfill, and related insurance premiums.
- A letter of support for the Port Tobacco Players Grant Application to the Maryland State Arts Council.
- A Fiscal Year 2025 Inter-Category Budget Transfer of $3.2 million to reallocate funds for various accruing expenses that came in higher than anticipated.
- A Fiscal Year 2026 Inter-Category Budget Transfer Request of $5.8 million by the Charles County Board of Education. The adjustment was made to account for purchase orders that were not completed by June 30, 2025, and rolled over to Fiscal Year 2026.
- Lease renewal with Health Partners for a property on Crain Highway.
- A land donation to the county on Mt. Eagle Lane for use as the site of a new emergency services communications tower.
- The acquisition of land on Thomas Edison Place for landfill expansion.
