Charles County commissioners met on Tuesday, February 3, to review key issues, including a study on Indigenous history in Bryans Road, Pomonkey, and Indian Head, updates on state legislation, and several budget transfer requests.
Dawud Abdur Rahman of DAR Project Management Consulting and Lucille Walker, Executive Director of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, presented findings from a study documenting Indigenous and Black history in the region. The research, which coincides with the recent addition of the Pomonkey Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places, involved historical research, oral histories, and a site tour of Chapman State Park. The study recommended forming a cross-agency task force to enhance awareness and suggested creating educational exhibits and trail materials for Chapman State Park.
Assistant Deputy County Attorney Danielle Mitchell and Acting Deputy County Administrator Jenifer Elin briefed commissioners on the Maryland General Assembly session, highlighting legislation relevant to Charles County. Commissioners expressed support for House Bill 835, allowing modifications to alcohol sales at Blue Crabs Stadium, and House Bill 841, which would dissolve the Charles County Gaming Permit Review Board. They also backed Senate Bill 357, which would expand the authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and Senate Bill 774, which adjusts valuation methods for rural broadband service providers.
G.S. Proctor & Associates representatives Joseph Green and Jeanette Tejada de Gomez provided insight into the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget. Their report outlined potential cost shifts from the state to counties, including expenses related to teacher pensions and local assessment offices.
William Smith, Coordinator of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, requested that commissioners support an amendment to House Bill 947, increasing the tax credit for volunteer emergency responders. The amendment proposed raising the income cap to $250,000 and boosting the benefit to $2,500 by 2028. The request failed in a 3-2 vote.
Commissioners also reviewed a proposal for an Adequate Public Safety Ordinance, presented by Jason Groth, Acting Director of Planning and Growth Management, and Michelle Lilly, Director of the Department of Emergency Services. The ordinance would require public safety infrastructure to keep pace with development and may include service level standards and impact fees. Commissioners unanimously approved beginning the process to study the ordinance.
Housing officials provided a performance review of the 2024 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which managed $11.5 million in federal funding. The Charles County Housing Authority was found to be in compliance with federal requirements and met or exceeded U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards.
A discussion on renaming Black History Month to African American Heritage Month in Charles County followed, led by Chief Equity Officer Renesha Miles and DEI/HR Coordinator Elaine Pollard. Commissioners reviewed findings from a community survey but took no further action.
Several budget transfers and approvals were finalized, including $214,000 for land acquisitions related to the Middletown Road-Bensville Road Waterline Interconnection Project, $506,880 for technology and furniture expenses at Margaret J. Thornton Elementary School, and $175,000 for repairs to the Mattawoman Flow Equalization Basin.
Commissioners also issued proclamations recognizing Black History Month, Career and Technical Education Month, National Burn Awareness Week, and National Engineers Week.
A public event permit was approved for the Charles County Public Library’s Books, Bites, and Beats Fest, scheduled for April 5, 2025.
The next scheduled commissioner meetings will take place on February 25-26, 2025.
