Charles County Board of Commissioners Meeting - October 28, 2025

The Charles County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with Commissioner Patterson absent. The board approved four routine administrative items, received briefings on flood-prediction technology and the northern county water supply, and voted to enter closed session.

Commissioner Comments and Minutes

• Commissioners congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on its annual event, held Sunday, and praised it as a showcase for Southern Maryland.
• Approval of the October 7, 2025 meeting minutes was postponed; the October 21, 2025 minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Approval Items

• Approved lighting the courthouse in teal for Alzheimer's awareness.
• Approved updates to the Standard Operating Policy for disposition of county real estate. Property Acquisition Chief Sarah Guy said the policy had not been updated since 2012; changes update responsible departments, clarify nonprofit donation procedures, and establish processes for deposits and settlements in sealed-bid or auction sales.
• Approved a new Standard Operating Policy for acquisition of county real estate. Ms. Guy said no countywide acquisition policy had existed before; the new policy covers fee-simple purchases, easements, partial takes, and grant funding requirements.
• Approved a letter of support for Newcastle Development Group (referred to in the presentation as Newcastle Management Group) for a HUD grant application for 252 residential units at 2500 Old Washington Road. Economic Development Director June Chandler said the project uses a new middle-income program, with 50% of units rent-restricted at 120% of average median income, and is the team's second large-scale project in the county.

Briefing: Flood Prediction Technology from SAS

• Martin Harris of DPW introduced SAS; he said the session was informational, with no current contract or relationship between SAS and the county.
• SAS representatives described a flood-analytics platform using a digital twin of the terrain, existing sensors, rainfall, soil moisture, groundwater, and storm drainage data to predict where, when, and how much flooding will occur up to six hours in advance. They said the model runs a nowcast every six minutes and a future cast every ten minutes.
• Accuracy cited: more than 90% for predicting the next reading at individual sensors; 65-70% for full inundation mapping because weather forecasts add variability.
• The platform can also model proposed developments or capital projects to show potential stormwater impacts, project costs, and return on investment.
• Commissioner discussion included calls to make this an inclusive effort with the Resilience Authority, to demonstrate cost-effectiveness before committing funds, and to connect the tool to adequate public facilities ordinance reviews, site plans, and the county comprehensive plan.
• Staff said they would explore grant and state funding options and return with cost and next steps; no formal action was taken.

Briefing: Northern Charles County Water Supply Program

• Jason Groth, Planning and Growth Management director; Alicia Froyland, engineering supervisor; and a Hazen and Sawyer consultant (introduced as Chris Ramo; the speaker identified himself as Chris Warner) provided the update.
• County systems rely mainly on groundwater from the Magothy and upper/lower Patapsco aquifers. Maryland permits allow drawdown to only 20% of the total aquifer level, called the "80% management level." Water levels are declining, but the presenter said the county is not "running out of water"; the concern is state-permitted capacity and long-term sustainability.
• In response to a commissioner's question about dry private wells, Mr. Groth said public wells can contribute but many other factors cause well failures, and he suggested installing monitoring wells in rural areas to better understand future impacts.
• Short-term supply: the WSSC/Waldorf interconnection will increase purchased water from the current 1.4 million gallons per day (MGD) to an additional 5 MGD. Design is underway; construction is anticipated in 2027-2028, with the line active before 2030.
• Long-term supply: the county is studying an Upper Potomac River intake near Marshall Hall, planned for 5-10 MGD, with potential implementation in the 2030s depending on cost, affordability, and continuing studies.
• Emerging option: Maryland's 2025 legislation opened a possible path for a managed aquifer recharge demonstration facility; the county is evaluating it but continues to advance the river intake plan.
• Staff introduced a public landing page and story map to communicate the water supply program. Commissioners praised the clarity of the presentation and the effort to counter misconceptions.

New Business and Closed Session

• A commissioner reported that the Tri-County Council is moving funding to the Thomas Stone Historic Site to support tourism through the National Park Service; a presentation to the board is expected.
• The board voted to enter closed session pursuant to the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code to receive legal advice and updates on a potential litigation settlement, a potential property acquisition, and commissioner committee assignments.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals: courthouse lighting, real-estate disposition SOP, real-estate acquisition SOP, and HUD letter of support.
• October 7 minutes postponed; October 21 minutes approved.
• Flood-prediction briefing: no vote; staff to explore funding and coordinate with the Resilience Authority.
• Water supply briefing: no vote; update received; staff will continue design and studies.
• Closed session authorized by motion and voice vote.