LA PLATA, MD—On June 10, 2025, Charles County Commissioners received updates on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan and passed a recordation tax increase, alongside hosting a delegation from Matola, Mozambique, to formalize a Sister City Partnership. The meeting, held at the Charles County Government Building, addressed long-term planning, fiscal policy, and international collaboration.
Charles Rice, Planning Director, alongside Cathy Thompson, Assistant Chief of Planning, Amy Blessinger, Planner III, and Evelyn Kasongo of Michael Baker International, outlined the 2026 Comprehensive Plan process. This decennial document will guide policies on housing, land use, transportation, natural resources, and economic development. Community engagement activities are set to begin this summer, with a draft plan expected between Summer 2026 and Spring 2027. Residents are encouraged to participate in shaping the county’s future.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to pass Proposed Bill 2025-04, raising the recordation tax from $5 to $7 per $500 for home sales or recorded titles. The increase, effective immediately, will fund Charles County Public Schools and affordable housing initiatives in Fiscal Year 2026 without affecting property or income taxes, renters, or non-transacting homeowners.
The county welcomed a delegation from Matola, Mozambique, for the signing of a Sister City Partnership Agreement. The ceremony marked a commitment to cultural, educational, and economic exchanges. “This partnership represents a shared commitment to fostering global relationships and creating new opportunities for mutual growth,” a county spokesperson said. The delegation will tour local businesses with the Economic Development Department throughout the week.
Kirby Blass, Planner III, and Rice briefed commissioners on Proposed Bill 2025-06, a Zoning Text Amendment for Transit Oriented Development properties. The bill, if passed, would allow signage to follow a Master Sign Plan governing location, height, and design. Commissioners scheduled a public hearing for July 22, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Deborah Hall, Acting County Administrator, presented results from PPR Strategies’ 2024 Charter Education Campaign. Sandy Dubay and Sophie Smith reported the campaign, which used radio, newspaper ads, social media, and a website, reached over 820,000 people and boosted voter turnout by providing neutral information on a potential charter government.
Wes Adams, County Attorney, updated the Fire Suppression Task Force’s progress, noting collaboration with the Board of Fire and Rescue. Meetings with volunteer fire department leadership are planned for June 16, with further discussions scheduled. An update is expected in September.
Commissioners reviewed progress on their Goals and Objectives, focusing on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Safety. The Department of Emergency Services reported enhanced collaboration through bi-weekly and quarterly public safety meetings, new training programs like Community Paramedicine, and pension enhancements for Animal Care & Control Officers. Construction of the Pinefield Emergency Medical Services Station nears procurement, and a feasibility study for the La Plata Armory is underway. The department launched a podcast, “Ready, Set, Prepare: Emergency Preparedness in Charles County,” and a live Emergency Services Dashboard on the county website.
Commissioners received annual reports from the Board of Electrical Examiners, Library Board of Trustees, and Interfaith Commission. They appointed Aaron Reid to the Board of Electrical Examiners, Triverr Gray and Denise Joseph to the Board of Social Services, and made further appointments to various boards, including the Commission for Veteran Affairs and Ethics Commission.
A public hearing on Proposed Bill 2024-16, easing driveway and parking requirements for small agritourism projects, resulted in unanimous passage. Commissioners approved a $40,000 budget transfer for the Healthy Families Home Visiting Program, a grant application for the Community-Oriented Policing Services Program, updates to the Charles County Charitable Trust’s Memorandum of Understanding, a condemnation easement for a Mill Hill Road water line, and a letter supporting Pomonkey High School’s African American Heritage Preservation Grant application.
The multifaceted meeting underscored Charles County’s focus on strategic planning, community safety, and global partnerships, setting the stage for continued growth and engagement.
