Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Charles County Board of County Commissioners convened on March 10, 2026, with Commissioner Patterson absent and Commissioner Bowling arriving late. The board approved several routine items, received a legislative update, and held briefings on small business permitting process improvements and the State of the College of Southern Maryland. A major agenda item was the introduction of a collective bargaining bill for county employees, with a public hearing scheduled for May 12, 2026.
The board voted unanimously to move into closed session to discuss a potential contract and conduct interviews for appointed boards and commissions. The meeting adjourned following the closed session.
Charles County Government presents the Board of Commissioners meeting. Good morning. The March 10th, 2026, Charles County Board of County Commissioners meeting is now called to order. We will begin today's session with the Pledge of Allegiance. Undergissi and Justice for all. Thank you, Commissioners. We're going to begin today's session with a roll call. Commissioner Bowling is on his way. Commissioner Coates. Here. Commissioner Stewart. Here. Commissioner Patterson is absent. Commissioner Collins. Here. We do have a quorum, Commissioner. So we'll begin with the first item on your agenda is an opportunity for Commissioner Comments. I do have one comment. I want to correct the record. A few weeks ago, we were having a presentation with the Department of Emergency Services. And I made a comment about I had a concern about the volunteer station at Cobb Island because of a history of concerns. And in that process in those years ago, Cobb Island volunteers actually stepped in to support the Department of Emergency Services. So I misspoke, so I just wanted to correct that on the record. So thank you. Commissioners, any other comments? All right, Commissioners, then we'll move on to your next item on your agenda, which is approval of the minutes. We need a motion to approve the March 3rd, 2026 minutes. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Moved and properly seconded. All in favor? Aye. Opposed. The ayes have it. Thank you. Commissioners, the next is just an announcement that your next scheduled sessions will be on March 17th and 18th, 2026. That now moves you into your approval items for this morning. We do not have any budget amendments or transfers for today. So the first item for approval is a final purchase and sale agreement for lot one, Hughesville Industrial Park Well site and water extension. Good morning, Commissioners. Sarah Guy, Chief of Property Acquisition. Planning and Growth Management's Infrastructure Management Division was tasked with the responsibility of finding a site for a water tower to be located to serve the Hughesville community. It's the corner lot one, and this property has no street address. It is a 3.3674 acre parcel, which is zoned industrial. You gave us authorization in closed session to do some due diligence items to make sure that the property actually meets the county's needs, and we have performed those due diligence items. We have obtained a survey and an appraisal and the property appraises for more than what we are under contract or proposed to be under contract for.