Charles County Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary – April 21, 2026

The Charles County Board of Commissioners met on April 21, 2026, in a legislative session. Commissioners Bowling, Coates, and Collins were present; Commissioners Stewart and Patterson were absent. The meeting covered approval items, including a budget transfer and a memorandum of understanding, a discussion on road closure, briefings on the volunteer fire tax credit, the FY 2025 audit, the FY 2027 budget work session, and a legislative wrap-up. The Board introduced a bill to increase the volunteer fire tax credit from $500 to $2,500 and scheduled a public hearing.

Consent Calendar

• Budget Amendment Transfer #158 (FY 2026 BTR 158): Approved unanimously a transfer of $158,160 from the sewer maintenance project account to cover generator rental during transformer repairs at building 18 of the Meadow Woman wastewater treatment plant.
• Memorandum of Understanding with Maryland Stadium Authority: Approved (with one opposed) an MOU for the Maryland Stadium Authority to conduct a feasibility and economic development assessment for the Sports and Wellness Project. The county incurs no direct cost from the agreement.

Discussion Items

• Brentland Road Partial Road Closure: Commissioner Bowling proposed closing the last segment of Brentland Road with Jersey walls to prevent illegal dumping. Staff presented a plan to install 36 feet of Jersey wall at a cost of approximately $84,400. Commissioner Coates raised concerns about setting a precedent and questioned the location, but after clarification that the wall would completely block vehicular access past the last served residence, the motion was approved unanimously.
• FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit: External auditor Remy Omassor (CLA) presented a clean, unmodified audit opinion. No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were identified. The single audit tested 33% of federal dollars with no findings. GASB 101 and 102 standards were discussed; the county had no material impact from these new standards.
• Proposed Bill 2026-05 – Volunteer Emergency Responders Property Tax Credit Amendment: Danielle Mitchell and Jake Dyer presented a draft bill to increase the tax credit from $500 to $2,500. The income threshold ($150,000 AGI) is set by state law and was not changed. The fiscal impact is estimated at approximately $185,000 based on current participation. The Board voted to introduce the bill and schedule a public hearing for May 19, 2026, at 6 p.m., to be held hybrid in-person and virtually.
• FY 2027 Budget Work Session (First Review): The Board began its review of the proposed FY 2027 General Fund operating budget. Key highlights: proposed budget of $641,826,500 (a $46.7 million increase over FY 2026), with no property or income tax increases. Revenue growth is driven by property assessments ($17 million increase) and income tax trends ($25.5 million increase). The budget includes a $12.1 million (5%) increase for the Board of Education, a $6.3 million increase for the Sheriff’s Office, and fully funds requests from the College of Southern Maryland ($655,200 increase) and the Library ($266,700 increase). The Board also reviewed the FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program, which proposes $533.8 million in funded projects out of $940.9 million requested, within debt affordability constraints. Major projects include LaPlata High School modernization, school enclosure projects, and road improvements.
• Legislative Wrap-Up – 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session: County lobbyists from GS Proctor and Associates reported on the session, noting a balanced state budget without tax increases but with cost shifts to counties (e.g., teacher retirement and pre-K costs totaling $4.6 million). Several county-sponsored bills were discussed, including the Sports and Wellness Center bill (still in study phase) and others that did not pass. The presentation covered major state legislation affecting utilities, development rights, affordable housing, and public safety.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the introduction of Bill 2026-05 (Volunteer Emergency Responders Property Tax Credit) and scheduled a public hearing for May 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. in a hybrid format.
• Approved the Brentland Road partial closure with a Jersey wall, with the wall placed after the last served property access.
• Approved Budget Amendment Transfer #158 and the MOU with the Maryland Stadium Authority.
• The Board deferred approval of the April 14, 2026, meeting minutes until the afternoon session because Commissioner Collins, who was absent at that meeting, could not second the motion.
• The Board will continue the FY 2027 budget work session on April 22, 2026, focusing on internal county departments and remaining agencies.
• The Board moved into closed session at the conclusion of the open session to discuss potential litigation settlements, a land transfer, and legal advice.

Note: No public comments or testimony were presented during this meeting.