Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Charles County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on January 13, 2026. The board approved letters on state budget priorities and the sports and wellness center, debated a bonus for sheriff’s sworn officers, reviewed a promotional pay policy, and began detailed deliberations on establishing an independent Inspector General office, featuring testimony from Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming.
Charles County Government presents the Board of Commissioners meeting. Good morning. The January 13th, 2026, Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting is now called to order. Today's session will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Good morning, Commissioners. We're going to begin today's session with the roll call. Commissioner Bowling. Present. Commissioner Coates. Commissioner Stewart. Here, Commissioner Patterson. Present. And Commissioner Collins. Thank you. Commissioners, the first item on your agenda today is an opportunity for Commissioner Commons. Well, I'll go. Good morning, everybody. I just want to bring to everybody's attention that we're in the midst of uh restaurant week here in Charles County. Of course, that goes from January 9th to the 18th. I think that's a great opportunity to, of course, grow your uh your uh taste in in different uh venues here we have in Charles County. It's also a great opportunity for once again to support economic development. I know that uh the website to get the listings for all the restaurants that are participating is explore Charles County.com. And so um I would encourage everybody to at least have one meal at a local restaurant or uh uh distillery here in the county and uh make it a point to keep our dollars here in the Charles County. And um, I know next week we don't have session because of the MLK weekend, so I'd just like to bring everybody's attention that we'll be having a town hall in Waldorf on January 29th, 6 to 8 p.m. on possible land uses in the Waldorf area. So once again, January 29th, 6 to 8, and we'll be having lovely uh uh group of uh county staff to help uh assist the community with the questions um and answer, and so I just look forward to a robust discussion. Thank you, Collins. I just want to take a moment to recognize the service of um George Hayden to our community. He was the chief of the volunteer fire department at Belouton and Newburgh. He passed away this past week, and I think it's appropriate for the county to recognize his years of volunteer service to the community. My prayers go to his family and to the entire volunteer and public safety community. Thank you for your service, sir. Commissioners, is there any more comments? All right, commissioners. It doesn't seem there's any more at this moment. So commissioners, the next item on your agenda is approval of the minutes. We need a motion to approve the January 6th, 2026. Uh minutes. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Moved and properly seconded. All in favor? Aye. Opposed.