News Release, Charles County Public Information Office
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Charles County Board of Commissioners received an update from the Broadband Task Force. Representatives from SMECO and the Charles County Board of Education have been added to the task force to help address issues related to student internet access and future fiber installation in SMECO’s right-of-way.
Staff provided an overview of survey feedback received as they continue to evaluate areas of the county that do not have broadband access. County staff is working with a consultant to gather information from stakeholders about broadband needs, constraints to accessing, and availability of resources and assets to expand broadband.
View the full presentation in BoardDocs.
Commissioners reviewed the legislative issues that were not resolved during the Sep. 24, 2019 meeting and took action on which proposals to include in the state legislative package. Commissioners also discussed individual Commissioner initiatives and how to coordinate staffing needs to support them.
Under new business, they discussed bringing back the Property Standards Task Force to review housing policy.
Approval Items:
Commissioners approved the following requests:
- A contingency transfer request of $452,000 from the contingency reserve to reinstate funding to the Charles County Board of Education’s Operating Budget. Funding was reduced by this amount in June until the legal issue of the Fresh Start Program was resolved. The Board of Education provided a letter summarizing how it addressed legal issues that were raised regarding the program’s compliance with state law.
- A change order in the amount of $451,436.50 to provide the necessary equipment to drill and construct a test well in the Patuxent aquifer at the St. Paul’s Well site.
- A change order in the amount of $451,436.50 to provide the necessary equipment to drill and construct a test well in the Patuxent aquifer at the St. Charles Well No. 16 site.
- A contingency transfer request of $465,000 to drill a test well to ensure water quality from the Patuxent aquifer.
- A contingency transfer request of $6,100 to install fiber that will provide a redundant fiber link from Mattawoman to the County Administration building.
Recognitions:
- Commissioners presented a proclamation to Island Music recognizing Saturday, Oct. 5 as Rocktoberfest and encouraging the community to participate in the musical celebration and special event. View photo in Flickr.
- Commissioners recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and presented a proclamation to the Sisters at Heart Breast Cancer Support Group of Southern Maryland; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Nu Zeta Omega Chapter; and Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. View photos on Flickr.
- Commissioners proclaimed Sep. 15 to Oct. 15, 2019, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and recognized individuals representing the Hispanic community in Charles County. View photo in Flickr.
Appointments:
Susan Lohman, Yolanda Hipski and Theodora Carr were appointed to the Area Council on Aging.
