Charles County Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 19, 2026

On May 19, 2026, the Charles County Board of Commissioners held an evening session with roll call and three public hearings. Commissioners Bowling, Stewart, Patterson, and Collins were present at the first roll call; Commissioner Coates was absent initially but joined later. No agenda or minutes were included with the transcript, so this summary relies on the meeting transcript. After the first hearing, the board took a short break so the later hearings could begin at the advertised 6 p.m. time.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First public hearing (CDBG status update): One person signed up to speak, but no one delivered testimony; the board closed the public record and ended the hearing.

• Second public hearing (Bill 2026-05, volunteer fire tax credit): Joseph Menck (Waldorf District 4) spoke in favor, noting that volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel run into danger, and that replacing them with a professional force would be staggeringly expensive.

• Third public hearing (Bill 2026-03, inspector general):

  • Derek Terry (Waldorf District 3) supported a truly independent IG, saying it could investigate department operations, contracts, procurement, and spending, and uncover fraud, waste, and conflicts of interest. He called the $800,000 cost estimate inflated and said combining existing internal audit FTEs with an IG structure would cost less. He also noted risks of political weaponization and said the community should shape the office.
  • Deborah Jones (Port Tobacco) opposed creating the office at this time, calling it disproportionately expensive and arguing the board should first use its existing authority to show transparency. She cited startup costs of roughly $700,000–800,000, comparisons to larger Maryland jurisdictions, and recent document-access struggles by other IGs. She asked the board to vote it down, defer it, or keep the record open 30 days, and to explain votes plainly.
  • Joseph Menck (District 4) supported the IG, pointing to the board's refusal moments earlier of his request for an attendance-accountability vote as proof that an independent body is needed. He called the ethics commission 'toothless' and said an IG would protect both the public and commissioners from unfounded accusations.
  • Teresa DeMine (Hughesville, District 1) supported the IG, citing Baltimore City IG Isabel Cumming's presentation: her office recovers nearly five times its operating cost, and every Maryland IG has recovered more than it cost. DeMine also supported expanding IG authority to the school system and hoped for reintroduction of Senate Bill 572.
  • Ayana Moore (White Plains) supported an independent IG, distinguishing it from internal audit. She described a former HOA experience in which a promised community center was replaced by a pole barn without meaningful explanation, arguing such unexplained outcomes need independent review.
  • Greg Waring (Waldorf) supported the IG. He said his public-records request about data centers yielded about 60 records but required payment and possible redaction, and an IG could investigate and release information. He also referenced long-standing harassment investigation calls and criticized Commissioner Stewart for attempting to defund the IG and for declining a debate.
  • Tina Wilson (Port Tobacco, virtual) supported the goal but identified weaknesses: possible conflicts with public schools under state law, a politicized advisory board if commissioners appoint most members, no protected minimum budget, overlapping harassment/ethics processes, and a conflict if the IG must rely on the county attorney for subpoenas. She recommended deferring final action to the next board and adding a retroactive review provision.
  • Daron Tross (listed as Jeron Tross in the call; speaker identified as Daron Frost, Waldorf) supported the IG, citing Commissioner Stewart's reported 'next time' comment as evidence the next board might defund the office. He said no legislation is 100% correct, but an independent IG is 100% needed.

Discussion Items

• First public hearing – CDBG status update:

  • Barbara Farmer, Community Development Supervisor, said the hearing reviewed Meals on Wheels and closed out CDBG grants. The public notice ran May 1, 2026. Maryland recaptured about $2 million in remaining COVID relief funds; Charles County applied for $315,000 on March 17, 2025 for Meals on Wheels and was awarded the full amount. The county also received $37,500 for Fuller House repairs and $37,500 for Martha's Place repairs.
  • Brittany Bowling, nutritionist, reported 57,142 meals were prepared and delivered to homebound seniors and vulnerable residents, representing wellness checks and human connection. She said CDBG prevented major service reductions but cannot be the sole foundation for permanent, growing need.
  • Sandy Washington, CEO of LifeStyles (La Plata), thanked the board. Fuller House repairs removed carpeting, added new flooring, rehabbed cabinets, and enabled a computer lab; at least 20 men are sheltered there nightly. Martha's Place was made ADA-compliant with a redone, enlarged bathroom; she said children in these homes are on honor roll or maintain GPAs above 3.5. Gale House funding purchased a secluded home for domestic violence survivors, and the home has been fully occupied since opening.

• Second public hearing – Bill 2026-05:

  • Danielle Mitchell, Acting Deputy County Administrator, and Jacob Dyer, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented. The bill amends Chapter 281 to increase the property tax credit for owner-occupied residences of certain emergency responders and surviving spouses from $500 to $2,500 annually, applying to the 2026-2027 tax year if enacted.

• Third public hearing – Bill 2026-03:

  • County Attorney Wes Adams introduced the bill to establish an Inspector General, create an Inspector General Citizens Advisory Board to select the IG, and add an ethics code provision allowing certain investigations to go before the ethics commission for removal of a commissioner. He noted a technical amendment to strike an extraneous 'I' on page 2, line 35.
  • Commissioner Stewart said her earlier budget request to shift $800,000 was intended to give additional funds to Charles County Public Schools, not to oppose the IG, and that funding could be increased later.
  • Another commissioner said the bill includes removal provisions, subpoena powers, accountability, and transparency, and that the IG would be able to follow county tax dollars wherever they go.
  • Commissioner Bowling supported the bill but said it was disappointing to spend $800,000 on accountability when the money could have gone to schools, police, and DES EMTs/paramedics. He also voiced frustration with delays and hypocrisy.
  • Commissioner Coates said the bill speaks for itself and that independence is important.

Key Outcomes

• The board closed the public record and ended the first CDBG hearing; it was a status/closeout review with no funding vote noted.
• Bill 2026-05, Charles County Volunteer Fire Tax Credit, was adopted by voice vote with all ayes. It raises the annual credit from $500 to $2,500 for eligible emergency responders and surviving spouses, applying to the 2026-2027 tax year.
• Bill 2026-03, establishing the Office of the Inspector General, was adopted by voice vote with all ayes, after accepting the technical amendment removing an extraneous 'I' on page 2, line 35. The legislation creates an Inspector General and a Citizens Advisory Board, and adds an ethics-code path for removal of a commissioner.
• The board adjourned after the hearings.