LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County officials tackled pressing governance issues during a March 18 meeting, focusing on unauthorized land use and key legislative developments. Sarah Guy, Chief of Property Acquisition, alongside County Attorney Wes Adams and Deputy County Attorney Elizabeth Theobalds, briefed commissioners on encroachments affecting county-owned property.
Defined as unauthorized use by non-owners, encroachments often lead to dumping, burning, littering, and lost tax revenue. The presentation outlined their locations and included photographic evidence, emphasizing that such acts constitute trespassing. The county retains the authority to mandate abatement at the trespasser’s expense.
In a separate briefing, Assistant Deputy County Attorney Danielle Mitchell updated commissioners on the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session, spotlighting bills that met the crossover deadline on March 18. Crossover day marks the final opportunity for bills to move between the House of Delegates and Senate without additional scrutiny.
Locally, House Bill 835, adjusting alcohol sales and consumption zones at Regency Furniture Stadium, successfully crossed from the House to the Senate. House Bill 841, repealing the gaming permit review board, and House Bill 1283, regulating off-highway vehicles, also advanced. However, bills requiring extra training for Homeowners Association Board members and mandating six years’ notice for bus contract terminations by the Board of Education failed to cross over.
Statewide, House Bill 1036 and Senate Bill 931, aimed at altering county approval processes for solar energy projects, did not meet the deadline, though negotiations for amendments continue in Annapolis. Commissioners unanimously agreed to send a letter opposing a Department of Legislative Services proposal to cut land preservation funding from the 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, with discussions ongoing for potential revisions.
Jacob Dyer, Acting Director, and TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget from the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, launched the first Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Work Session. The session covered Enterprise Funds, Operating and Capital Improvement Program Fees, and charges for water, sewer, recreation, cable, and cannabis funds. Weekly sessions are planned ahead of the full budget reveal on April 8.
Departmental updates highlighted ongoing projects. The Department of Emergency Services is advancing a $44.1 million safety radio system upgrade, initiated in December 2018, featuring new power plants, electrical upgrades, and towers in Marshall Hall and Port Tobacco. The Department of Public Works is progressing on the Pinefield EMS Station, with permits submitted early this year and construction procurement eyed for summer 2025. A new courthouse chiller installation, with units and pipes already in place, is set for completion in May.
Media Services continues its “Stay Connected” campaign, delivering county news via videos, podcasts, and newsletters. A partnership with the Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth and Families launched the Children and Family Resource Academy pilot from January to March. The six-week program, completed by 12 participants, offered Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, networking with resource providers, and a community engagement project, culminating in a June celebration.
Commissioners approved a property donation resolution to Melwood and a memorandum of understanding with the Historical Society of Charles County’s Friends of Rich Hill to preserve the Rich Hill Farmhouse. These actions reflect ongoing efforts to manage county resources and heritage, as detailed on the official county website www.charlescountymd.gov.
