WALDORF, Md., May 15, 2025 — Charles County Commissioners, led by Acting Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services Jacob Dyer and Chief of Budget Samantha Chiriaco, continued their review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget on May 13, focusing on commissioner add/deletes to the general fund and Capital Improvement Program. These adjustments reflect items not originally proposed, with a final budget review and adoption scheduled for May 20. Alongside budget discussions, commissioners received briefings on vulnerable populations, cultural heritage recognition, and departmental updates, while approving key pension and infrastructure initiatives.
The commissioner add/delete process allows for tailored adjustments to the proposed budget, ensuring alignment with county priorities. The May 13 meeting included presentations on additions and removals, setting the stage for the final budget adoption next week. This process is part of a broader effort to maintain fiscal responsibility while addressing community needs in Charles County.
Michelle Lilly, Director of the Department of Emergency Services, and Dina Barclay, Director of the Department of Community Services, outlined the county’s vulnerable populations plan. The plan aims to reduce risks of cold-related, severe, and heat-related illnesses among at-risk groups. It designates warming and cooling centers at locations including Nanjemoy Community Center, Port Tobacco Community Center, Richard R. Clark Senior Center, all Charles County Public Library branches, and Lifestyles Center. The Maryland State Police Barracks serves as an after-hours warming center with a four-hour limit.
The weather plan operates in two phases. Phase 1, triggered by the first freeze watch, involves reviewing the plan, updating warming center lists, coordinating with partners, and monitoring weather. Phase 2 activates when temperatures drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees with precipitation, prompting coordinated messaging from Media Services and Emergency Management about shelter options and medical referrals to Charles Regional Medical Center.
Jennifer Harris, Chief of Media Services, Renesha Miles, Chief Equity Officer, and Doria Fleisher, Assistant Division Chief of Media Services, presented an updated strategy for recognizing cultural heritage months. The approach emphasizes equitable and inclusive content through face-to-face events, social media posts, photos, videos, and community event participation, ensuring consistent representation with willing participants.
Departmental updates highlighted progress across multiple sectors. The Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services is upgrading all county laptops from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before the October 25, 2025, end-of-support deadline. New software for procurement, key performance indicators, and an OpenGov Budget Book Module will enhance transparency. The department is also refreshing county websites, starting with the main government site, followed by Tourism, Recreation and Parks, and Economic Development, all hosted on the Granicus platform for consistency.
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is installing weather stations with lightning detection and sirens at 10 county parks. Bensville Park recently opened its third synthetic multi-purpose field with LED lighting. The department is leveraging technology to promote tourism, streamline field and food truck reservations, and maintain parks with robotic line painters and electric equipment. Mallows Bay Park now has electricity, a 911 call center, and broadband infrastructure.
The Department of Human Resources reported robust wellness and training programs. Wellness initiatives include vision clinics, wreath-making, and glass etching workshops, while over 560 staff have participated in the Leadership Academy and professional development courses. Community-based recruiting and a summer internship program, which received over 1,100 applications, underscore the county’s commitment to attracting talent.
On May 13, commissioners held their annual public hearing on local legislative proposals, receiving five resident-submitted ideas for potential county-wide laws. These proposals will inform future legislative priorities, reflecting community input in governance.
Commissioners approved several items, including the Sheriff’s Office Retirement Plan Amendment 2025-1, extending pension enhancements to county government and Sheriff’s Office dispatchers. The Charles County Pension Plan Amendment 2025-1 requires non-vested employees with less than five years of service and under $7,000 in contributions to withdraw funds, while removing benefit limits for retirees transferring service within five years. A $185,000 change order was approved for additional construction costs at the Mattawoman Waste Water Treatment Plant Flow Equalization Basin project.
These actions reflect Charles County’s focus on fiscal stewardship, community safety, and equitable services. The upcoming budget adoption on May 20 will finalize plans to support these initiatives, ensuring resources align with the county’s strategic goals.
