Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, along with Joseph Green of G.S. Proctor & Associates, opened the first legislative update of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session. The session included discussions on bills submitted as part of the Charles County state legislative package and other legislative measures that may significantly impact the county.
During the meeting, Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, and TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget, presented details on Proposed Bill 2025-01, which seeks to establish a $375 million bond authority. This proposed amount reflects funding requirements for ongoing and planned projects for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. Commissioners voted unanimously to introduce the bill and scheduled a public hearing for February 25, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Deborah Hall, Acting County Administrator, alongside Alexis Blackwell and Megan Donnick from the Department of Human Resources, reviewed recommendations for the 2025 Employee Holiday Leave Calendar. The discussion included adjustments for major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and proposals for new holiday observances, including Easter Monday, Eid al-Adha, and Eid al-Fitr. The recommendations also included closing county offices on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, shortening Christmas Eve hours on weekdays, and providing additional leave for the day after Christmas when it falls Monday through Thursday. Commissioners approved the calendar with amendments, including additional holidays for Super Bowl Monday and allowing a Thursday holiday for any holiday falling midweek.
Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling took to Facebook to share his perspective on the new policy, emphasizing his commitment to organized labor and the well-being of county employees. “I believe our county employees have been through a rough couple years with the ongoing Coates Lawsuit,” Bowling wrote. “It has presented significant morale challenges due to the lack of support by many elected officials. In an effort to attract and retain quality employees, I felt as though a small gesture of leave would ensure we have the most qualified and talented workforce in the region.” Bowling noted that competing with the salaries of federal agencies and larger surrounding jurisdictions has made recruiting challenging, and that this leave policy aims to counter the negative financial and cultural impacts of the workplace harassment lawsuit. “Our main purpose as elected officials is to serve our community at the highest and most effective levels. This leave policy moves us in that direction,” he concluded.
Commissioners considered a request to authorize a tax-exempt loan for the purchase of a fire truck for the Bryans Road Fire Department. After reviewing the proposal, commissioners voted to introduce the bill and scheduled a public hearing for February 25, 2025. Amy Blessinger, Planner III, and Charles Rice, Planning Director, briefed the commissioners on Proposed Bill 2025-02, which would allow multifamily residential development in the Residential Office Zone near Crain Highway and Old Washington Road. The commissioners introduced the bill and scheduled a public hearing for May 6, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Updates from the Rural Broadband Task Force highlighted progress on broadband infrastructure projects funded through grants. The update also detailed the county’s long driveway grant program, which continues to accept applications from residents seeking expanded broadband access.
Additional updates included presentations from Charles County Government departments and divisions on major capital projects, such as the Western Parkway and La Plata Library upgrades. Commissioners were also briefed on the success of the 2024 Citizens Academy, which featured spring and fall cohorts. Thirty-nine residents participated in presentations and field trips, culminating in class projects aimed at improving community engagement. Recommendations from the projects included the creation of a Community Guide and the establishment of a Citizens Academy Ambassador Commission.
During the session, commissioners held a public hearing on Proposed Bill 2024-17, which amends Chapter 276 of the county code to permit golf carts on Cobb Island roads between dawn and dusk when operated by licensed drivers. This measure, supported by a prior House Bill, was adopted unanimously and will take effect on February 28, 2025. Commissioners also considered Bill 2024-18, which proposed allowing drive-through restaurants in designated development zones. After deliberation, the commissioners unanimously rejected the bill.
Proclamations for January included recognitions of National Mentoring Month, National Pan-Hellenic Council Recognition Month, National School Choice Week, Catholic Schools Week, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Beyond.
The commissioners approved several measures, including a $172,160 budget transfer to fund a gearbox for the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant and a $520,228.02 change order to cover increased costs for inflow and infiltration monitoring activities at the plant. The final amendments to the Villages at Swan Point project were also approved following extensive review and prior hearings. Commissioners supported modifications to the Billingsley Road access management table and issued a letter of support for applications to designate Friendship Farm Park and Stagg Hall as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
The meeting concluded with discussions on pension contributions for county employees and sheriff’s office staff. Commissioners explored codifying protections for employee pensions while allowing flexibility for pension committees to determine contributions in collaboration with consultants to ensure a balanced budget.
Charles County Commissioners remain committed to addressing legislative priorities, infrastructure development, and community engagement initiatives to advance the interests of county residents.
