Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Charles County Board of Commissioners met on July 21, 2026, for a regular session. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call with Commissioners Bowling, Coates, Stewart, Patterson, and Collins present. The board approved multiple budget transfers, a pension amendment, the 2027 session calendar, and an additional onboarding date for the new board. Briefings covered the affordable housing pilot NOFA, the 2026 bond issue, zoning text amendments for retail and data centers, updates from the Office of Equity and Access, and the Mixtape Concert Series. The board also moved into closed session.
Dina Barclay presented options for a new NOFA cycle. The board discussed timing, funding availability, and housing type. Commissioners agreed to move forward with planning and directed staff to return in the fall with detailed recommendations, including input from developers and builders. Questions about term length (10 vs 20 years) and housing type (multifamily, senior, mixed-use) were deferred pending further analysis.
William Deatley and Sam Chiriaco proposed a $100 million bond sale (up from $75 million in 2026) for water/sewer projects, schools, government facilities, and parks. The board voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing for September 1, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Charles Race reported that the Planning Commission recommended denial, citing concerns about eliminating the two-story requirement and the need to coordinate with the comprehensive plan update. The board voted unanimously to introduce the bill and schedule a public hearing for September 1, 2026.
Renee Sha Miles and Elaine Pollard summarized FY2026 activities, including community engagement events, work groups, and future plans for FY2027 (expanding staff, developing training). Commissioners praised the recent community meeting.
Kelly Beavers, Ashley Chenault, and Alicia Steager presented on the series. Planned two concerts: country in October 2026 and R&B in June 2027, partnered with Deggy 360. Challenges include infrastructure, funding, and marketing. Commissioners discussed venue options, sponsorships, and the need for sustainable funding.
Charles Rice and Mark Thompson reported on the second version, which the Planning Commission again recommended denial. State legislation (SB 116 study and Utility Relief Act) is ongoing. The board reached consensus to terminate this ZTA and pursue a hybrid approach: forming a task force and hiring a consultant, pending fall proposal.
Charles County Government presents the Board of Commissioners meeting. Good morning. The July 21st, 2026, Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting is now called to order. Today's session will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. Underground. Indivisible with liberties on this program. Thank you, everyone. Commissioners, we're going to begin today's session with a roll call. Commissioner Bowling. Commissioner Coates. Here. Commissioner Stewart. Here. Commissioner Patterson. Present. And Commissioner Collins. Thank you. The next item, Commissioners, is an opportunity for Commissioner Comments. I'll go first, Collins. Good morning, everybody. I just want to uh point out that the Charles County had their 40th annual swimming championship over at the Banisher Pool this past Sunday. And I'd like to congratulate all the swimmers on a great season and thank all the parents, especially for making sure that those uh athletes got to the practices and supported them all throughout their careers. And then finally, um I want to uh send the congratulations out to Mr. Oh, I'm sorry, Captain Paul Mahoney for being the uh new uh uh person in charge of the Naval Service Warfare Center in Indian Head. Uh without the change of command uh ceremony, and it was just awesome to see the fact that you know we have such uh stalwart leadership over at the Indian Head. So I look forward to working with uh Captain Mahoney in the future. Thank you. Commissioners, if there's no other comments, we'll move on to the next item, which is approval of the minutes. We need a motion to approve the minutes from the July 7th, 2026 meeting. So moved. Second, second. Moved and properly second. All in favor. Opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Commissioners, the next item is just an announcement that the next session is scheduled for September 1st and 2nd after your August um break. The next item, Commissioners, is approval items, and we'll begin with your budget amendments and transfers. The first one is FY 2026 budget transfer request number 378, water and sewer overrun and electricity bills for June. Good morning, Commissioner. Sam Chiriaco, Chief of Budget. Just as um in the last meeting, some of these are 26 and some are 27. So I will be sure to let you know when we switch over to 27. We're gonna start with 26.