By: Donna Fuqua, Charles County Public Information Office
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Charles County Board of Commissioners received a briefing on the 2019 proposed issuance of $58 million in bonds. The size of the bond is based on current spending estimates from County departments and agencies. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the bond resolution on Tuesday, Oct. 8. County officials will meet with bond rating agencies in mid-October. The County’s bond sale is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will close on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
- United Way presented a proposal for a Community Connections program that would provide job training, food distribution, healthcare, and other resources to underserved areas of the community. Commissioners declined action and discussed options for a further policy review.
- Representatives from Lennar provided an annual progress report on neighborhood developments in the St. Charles community. They provided details on their compliance with the 2018 amendments to Docket 90 regarding housing density, school seat allocations, and development buffers.
- Capital Services staff briefed Commissioners on the opportunity to enter into an energy performance savings contract that could reduce the County’s energy costs and apply the savings to investments in facility upgrades and improvements at 35 County buildings and facilities.
- Fiscal staff briefed Commissioners on the Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund Year-End Budget Report. Staff provided information on the revenues, expenditures, and the estimated year-end fund balance; reviewed fund balance policy; and proposed fund balance designations. Commissioners approved the fund balance designations.
- County Attorney staff reviewed the process for submitting local legislative proposals that would amend the Charles County Code. Commissioners directed staff to review and recommend revisions to the standard operating procedure for the state legislative package that would include the process for submission of local legislative proposals.
- County Administrator Mark Belton shared information about the opportunity for Commissioners to submit project proposals that could be considered for inclusion in Governor Hogan’s budget. He presented potential options and Commissioners will discuss and determine the County’s submission to the Governor’s office at their next meeting on Tuesday, Sep. 24.
- Commissioners discussed a recommendation from County Administrator Mark Belton regarding proposed changes presented in a white paper by Commissioner President Collins on Tuesday, July 23. Commissioners will consider obtaining the services of a consultant to review and recommend potential changes to the structure and operations of the Department of Planning and Growth Management.
Approval Items
Commissioners approved the following requests:
- A budget transfer request of $354,000 from the contingency inflation project that is in the capital project fund to pay for increased costs associated with the construction of the College of Southern Maryland’s Center for Health Sciences. Commissioners also approved a letter of intent to the state saying they are in support of the project which includes the revised project costs.
- A letter of support for the Friends of Maxwell Hall’s grant application for preservation planning and expanded public access.
- A letter of support for the Farm Heritage Conservancy’s grant application for funds to pay for the restoration and relocation of the Robertson Farm Log Tenant House to Serenity Farm.
- A letter of support for the Friends of Chapman Park’s grant application seeking funds to pay for additional signage, brochures, and programs to visitors at the park.
- Commissioners honored members and veterans of the Air Force in recognition of its 72nd birthday and presented a citation to representatives of the Charles County Commission for Veterans Affairs. View photo in Flickr.
- Commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Representatives from Governor Hogan’s Commission for Suicide Prevention received the proclamation and expressed appreciation to Commissioners for their acknowledgment. View photo in Flickr.
- Commissioners congratulated county employees who graduated from the Leadership Academy and Charles County Government Television employees who produced videos that received national Telly Awards recognition.