Charles County Board of Commissioners Meeting – June 24, 2026

The Charles County Board of Commissioners convened on June 24, 2026, with Commissioners Bowling (absent), Coates, Stewart, Patterson, and Collins present. The meeting began with roll call, approval of minutes from June 9, 2026, and then moved through a series of approval items, a briefing on a comprehensive plan amendment, and a work session on proposed collective bargaining legislation. Commissioners voted on several budget amendments, transfers, grants, and designations, and set a future public hearing date.

Approval Items

• FY 2027 Budget Amendment Increase #6: $200,000 transfer of FY 2026 strategic planning funds to the FY 2027 Department of Economic Development Strategic Plan. (Approved unanimously).
• FY 2027 Budget Transfer Request #10: $1,122,200 to consolidate three White Plains CIP projects into one unified project account. (Approved unanimously).
• FY 2026 Budget Transfer Request #864: $67,000 for the Department of Emergency Services to cover electricity overage using savings from lower CAD maintenance and deferred radio tower maintenance. (Approved unanimously).
• Letter of Support for Land and Water Conservation Fund: For White Plains Park Enhancements, seeking 50% reimbursement grant for new outdoor basketball courts and associated improvements. (Approved unanimously).
• FY 2026 Intercategory Budget Transfer – Charles County Board of Education: $3.8 million reallocation to align resources with operational needs, including shifts in administration, instruction, special education, transportation, utilities, maintenance, and other categories. (Approved unanimously).
• FY 2027 Board of Education Operating Budget: $555,532,999, representing a $26.02 million (4.9%) increase over FY 2026, funded by $12.4 million from the state, $13.6 million from the county, and $10.2 million from fund balance. (Approved unanimously). Staff acknowledged the retirement of CFO Karen Acton, thanking her for her service.
• Collective Bargaining Memorandum of Understanding – Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2024: One-year agreement including step increases on anniversary dates, leave sell‑back participation, amendments to the Sheriff’s Office retirement program allowing purchase of up to five years of prior service at employee expense (cost neutral), and an increase in the annual COLA cap from 4% to 4.25%. (Approved unanimously).
• Hopewell Burial Ground Landmark Designation: Approval of local historic landmark designation for an undocumented cemetery discovered during construction in 2021, with preservation easement and historic marker. (Approved unanimously).
• Proposed Federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 Locations: Letter of approval to submit five eligible census tracts (prioritizing three in Waldorf and one in Newburgh) to the Governor for designation, aiming to attract private investment. (Approved unanimously).

Briefing & Public Hearing Scheduling

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Maryland Airport Area: Staff presented a proposal to realign the comprehensive plan land use map with existing zoning, returning 351 acres from Employment Industrial Park to Water State Conservation District to restore consistency. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing for July 21, 2026 at 6 PM (hybrid). Commissioner Coates recused herself due to a conflict of interest.

Work Session: Proposed Bill 2026‑04 – Charles County Employees Collective Bargaining

• Staff Presentation: Jake Dyer (Director of Fiscal Administrative Services) and the County Attorney highlighted recent employee compensation enhancements (five‑year salary scale increases, COLAs, promotional pay policy, leave sell‑back, holiday pay, retiree health insurance, pension improvements) and new facilities projects. A fiscal note estimated $675,000 for up to five additional positions and outside counsel to support a new union.
• Discussion of Amendments: Commissioner Collins moved to incorporate all amendments proposed by AFSCME into the bill. County Attorney Wes Adams advised that inclusion of the amendments would constitute substantive changes, likely requiring a second public hearing. He recommended postponing the vote until outside labor counsel could attend. Commissioner Collins argued there was no legal jeopardy based on his conversation with counsel. After extensive debate, the motion passed 3–0–1 with one abstention (Commissioner Stewart) and one absence (Commissioner Bowling). Commissioners Coates, Patterson, and Collins voted yes.
• Outcome: The board agreed to hold a second work session on July 7, 2026, with outside labor counsel present to discuss the amendments, and scheduled a public hearing for July 21, 2026 at 6 PM (hybrid). County Attorney Adams noted he would add a definition of part‑time employees (30‑hour floor) to the draft amendment.

Closed Session

• Commissioners voted to enter closed session under General Provisions Article § 3‑305(b)(1)(3)(7) to review proposed amendments to an agreement, interview applicants for appointed boards and commissions, review the lobbyist contract, and receive updates on a potential property acquisition. The closed session was scheduled to resume in open session at 3:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent‑like items (budget amendments, transfers, letters of support, school board budget, FOP MOU, landmark designation, opportunity zones) unanimously.
• Scheduled a public hearing for the comprehensive plan amendment on July 21, 2026.
• Voted to move forward with AFSCME amendments to the collective bargaining bill (3‑0‑1‑1), scheduling a second work session on July 7, 2026, and a public hearing on July 21, 2026.
• Entered closed session for personnel, legal, and acquisition matters.