News Release, Charles County Public Information Office
On Tuesday, May 14, the Board of Commissioners approved the Fiscal 2020 General Fund Budget of $425,097,500 and the Fiscal 2020-24 Capital Improvement Program budget of $546,000,000. Commissioners also set the Fiscal 2020 Real Property Tax Rate, which remains unchanged at $1.141 for County Government. Detailed information about the approved budget is available at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/budgetprocess.
- Dr. Jeanne Bilanin, a representative from the University of Maryland’s Institute for Governmental Service and Research, briefed Commissioners on the charter and home rule forms of local government and compared their powers and limitations of governance. Charles County operates under a home rule form of government, and Bilanin provided an overview of the process that would be required to pursue a charter. She discussed how the change would affect the County Government’s organizational structure and statutory authority.
- Budget staff presented the fiscal 2019 general fund quarterly update, and shared details about revenue and expenditure projections through June 30, 2019.
Approval Items
Commissioners were briefed on the Maryland Rural Legacy Program and reviewed a letter from the Charles County Agricultural Land Preservation Board requesting possible expansion of the Zekiah Watershed Rural Legacy Area. The program would support protection of assets in this designated rural legacy area, including farm and forest properties, historic sites, natural and cultural resources, and ecologically-sensitive areas. Commissioners approved the initiation of a public process to pursue the expansion of this designated area and seek state grant funding to support its preservation.
Commissioners also approved the following budget requests:
- A fiscal 2019 budget transfer request in the amount of $300,000 was transferred from sewer operations and maintenance and a budget amendment increase of $667,300 was transferred from 2019 fund balance for a temporary filtration system to meet contractual obligations with Competitive Power Ventures. The total fiscal 2019 funding for the temporary filtration system is estimated to cost $967,300.
- A fiscal 2020 budget amendment increase of $1,091,300 for a temporary filtration system to meet contractual obligations with Competitive Power Ventures.
- Commissioners presented a citation to the Center for Children in recognition of its 30th anniversary. The Center for Children provides behavioral and mental health services to children throughout Southern Maryland. View photo in Flickr.
- Commissioners presented a proclamation to staff from the Charles County Health Department in recognition of May as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. This recognition is an opportunity to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and encourage continued research for a cure.
- Commissioners recognized Sheriff Troy Berry, sworn officers, and staff from the Sheriff’s Office for their contributions to public safety and presented proclamations for National Correctional Officers Week (May 7 – 13, 2019) and National Police Week (May 12 – 18, 2019). View photo in Flickr.