Charles County Board of Commissioners Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Charles County Board of Commissioners met on February 24, 2026, for the afternoon session, which included roll call, approval of appointments, briefings on the Business Enterprise Program and Institutional Governance goals, and a public comment session. Commissioner Collins was absent. The meeting began at approximately 2:00 PM and transitioned to a public comment session after a short break at 5:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment to Board of Electrical Examiners: A motion to appoint James Slatery was approved unanimously.
• Appointments to Tourique Preservation Commission: A motion to reappoint Ruby Thomas and appoint London Teal, Angela Barnes, and Kenya Spencer was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Lundstrom (library worker, Charles County Public Library): Expressed frustration with library administration, citing budget cuts, a $250,000 contract with a union-busting law firm, hostile bargaining, and high staff turnover (25-30% of bargaining staff). Urged commissioners to fill vacant library board seats quickly and invited them to the March 5 library board meeting.
• Kevin Yates (Charles County employee, 39 years): Announced that county employees are organizing with AFSCME Maryland Council 3 and called on commissioners to respect their right to organize and extend collective bargaining rights without delay.
• Michael Sweetney (county employee, 4 years): Supported unionization, noting that employees leave for better pay and policies, and asked for a fair process for union elections.
• Derek Terry (District 3, Waldorf): Questioned the lack of a feasibility study for the Capital Clubhouse before proposing a new Sports & Wellness Complex; criticized the process around data center zoning (ZTA) and a proposed task force; and questioned inconsistency in the board's treatment of the county administrator.
• Joseph Mank (District 4): Supported organized labor and library workers' unionization; endorsed the Sports & Wellness Complex but urged efficient project management; called for a pause on data centers and more research.
• David Heidelbach (Charlotte Hall): Supported collective bargaining and criticized the cancellation of a town hall; demanded a project plan from PGM on water supply issues, noting a Hazen and Sawyer report that water demand in Waldorf will exceed supply by 2030; called data center discussions meaningless without addressing water.
• Brandon Diggs (Waldorf, property owner in Port Tobacco): Thanked commissioners and staff (Kimberly Stevens) for advancing a road widening project in Avalon West; requested a traffic safety study to evaluate alternative egress for the Avalon West neighborhood.
• Greg Warren (Waldorf): Requested public disclosure of the list of data center companies that have met with the county, the TerraWolf presentation from a closed session, and records of meetings with TerraWolf over the past 18 months.

Discussion Items

• Business Enterprise Program Briefing: Director of Economic Development Jim Chandler and Small Business Specialist Chastie Durham Miller presented an update on the Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) and Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) programs. The vendor diversity compliance portal was launched in November 2025. There are currently 900 certified vendors (295 SLBE, 605 MWBE), with 31 newly certified as of the meeting date. Certification requirements include being a for-profit, independently owned business, registered with the state, and having a headquarters or 25% of sales/employees in Charles County. Commissioner Bowlin questioned the 25% threshold. The county aims to fully digitize applications by April 1, 2026. Staff emphasized ongoing outreach and one-on-one assistance for businesses.
• Institutional Governance Goals & Objectives Briefing: Acting Deputy County Administrator Danielle Mitchell and multiple department staff presented progress on four focus areas: workforce, fiscal responsibility, policies/procedures, and transparency. Highlights included:
  • Recruitment: Expansion of career fairs, engagement with 4,000+ job seekers, and social media outreach.
  • Retention: Wellness program recognized by Healthiest Maryland Businesses (9 years, last 3 at Exemplar level).
  • Training: 19% increase in FY25 training participation; equity-focused leadership series launched; 911 training program praised by state inspectors; EMS training logged 13,000+ hours in FY26.
  • Space Needs: Renovation of Centennial Street moved Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, freeing space at Port Tobacco.
  • Fiscal: Ninth consecutive AAA bond rating; FY26 budget approved without tax increases; cyber security initiatives including SCADA protection and a second countywide summit.
  • Policies/Procedures: Internal audit reviewing purchase cards; personnel policy manual near completion; zoning code rewrite and comprehensive plan updates underway.
  • Transparency: New citizen academy models (Children & Family Resource Academy, Student Citizens Academy); Charles County Unpacked webinar series; C Click Report system launched in April 2025 with 1,280 submissions and 95% closure rate.

Key Outcomes

• The board unanimously approved the two sets of appointments (James Slatery to the Electrical Board; Ruby Thomas, London Teal, Angela Barnes, and Kenya Spencer to the Tourique Preservation Commission).
• Commissioners expressed support for county employees’ efforts to unionize, with Commissioner Bowlin noting his own union membership and Commissioner Stewart welcoming them to restart the organizing process. Commissioner Patterson noted that a bill on collective bargaining will be heard in two weeks (March 10).
• Commissioner Stewart confirmed that a feasibility study for the Sports & Wellness Complex is being conducted by the Maryland Stadium Authority with $125,000 from the delegation, with results expected in the fall. She promised to follow up on any existing feasibility study for the Capital Clubhouse.
• Commissioner Bowlin and others committed to follow up on Brandon Diggs’ request for a traffic study in Avalon West.
• Commissioners acknowledged requests for transparency regarding data center meetings and TerraWolf, with Commissioner Patterson stating they are still learning and will investigate further.
• The schedule for town halls will be adjusted to occur before the primary election, as requested by David Heidelbach.