Charles County Board of Fire Rescue Commissioners Meeting – September 17, 2026

The Board of Fire Rescue Commissioners met on September 17, 2026, to approve minutes, receive financial reports, review project updates, and hear presentations on the FY2027 budget distribution for fire and EMS services. Several volunteer department projects were reported, and the budget proposals were tabled for approval at the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from August 20, 2026, were approved with a correction on page 2, line 19 (changing "ready" to "read"). Motion passed unanimously.
• LOSAP Investment Report: For August 2026, total funds were $25,678,183.88, with a net change of +$391,321.10 from July. Wilmington Trust had $330,774.20 and paid out $99,556.89 in benefits and distributions. The LOSAP board will meet on September 25, 2026.
• Monthly Expenditures & Escrow Account: The letter of information from Fire/EMS Coordinator William Smith detailed August 2026 expenses, including quarters account ($4,390.89), Verizon MDT reimbursement (-$402.08), selective insurance premium ($14,005), cadet program equipment, public education supplies, special ops equipment, and a request for the coordinator to attend the IAFC symposium in Clearwater, Florida (costs up to $2,800). These were presented for information.
• Brines Road VFD – Truck 11 Replacement: Cab fabrication starts May 2028, completion expected August 2028.
• Brines Road VFD – Solar Panel Project: Installation completed, interconnection with SMECO scheduled for September 2, permission to turn on scheduled for September 15.
• Charles Kenny Dive Rescue – Facility Projects: Letter of intent to install a 15×25 ft concrete pad and extend the shed, and to investigate roof repairs due to storm/sun damage. Further bids will be collected.
• Hughesville VFD – Lightning Strike: A likely lightning strike caused damage to IT systems, fire pump controller (est. $20,720), phone system, sign marquee, and GFIs. Insurance claims underway.
• Potomac Heights VFD – Roof & Hose Tower: Roof replacement was deemed unnecessary after contractor review; small repairs scheduled for late September. Hose tower repairs completed at $23,949.49 (5.04% over approved budget). Project considered closed.
• 10th District VFD – Vehicle 8 Replacement: Approved to purchase a 2027 Ford F-150 crew cab at total cost $82,217.34, funded by EMS 508 ($13,110), Fire 508 ($22,048), and non-tax funds ($47,059.34). Current vehicle 8 will become utility 8 Bravo; 2001 Ford F-250 will be sold. Motion passed unanimously.
• Quarterly Project Updates: Engine 32 (Waldorf) final inspection underway, expected in service mid-November. Ambulance 127 replacement (Westlake) on schedule for second quarter 2027 delivery. Station 12 remodel (Westlake) nearly complete; men's locker room and public restroom done; women's restroom 90% complete; dayroom awaiting contractor staffing.

Volunteer Coordinator Report

• Bill reported the passing of Bill Ekman (La Plata VFD) and Tom Flint (Waldorf VFD). Condolences were shared.
• The association's physical mailbox is operational, enabling grant applications. Electronic vendor payments are being finalized to avoid lost checks.
• Property tax incentive ($2,500 reduction) bills were sent to eligible volunteers. Delegate Davis requested documentation on the number of volunteers affected if the incentive is reduced or eliminated.
• The EMS trailer (donated ATV from Company 8) is at the vendor for graphics.
• Cadet program: 12 cadets starting EMT class on September 23; 10 first-year cadets starting PEEF then Firefighter 1. Total 22 cadets. The cadets also participated in the county fair recruitment booth with a new Sparky mascot, and will assist at the county truck rodeo on October 7.

Discussion Items: FY2027 Budget Distribution Presentations

• EMS Budget Distribution (presented by Vice Chairman Bill Deere): Total $5,746,937 for EMS operations plus $1,149,387 for LOSAP. Key changes: Health & Safety escrow increased from $0 to $15,000; MDT funding $200,000; new $30,000 for County Medical Director; building square footage cost increased to $260/sq ft (from $150); apparatus increase of 6%; basic heavy-duty ambulance service life extended to 13 years/150,000 miles; light-duty ambulances to 13 years/225,000 miles. The distribution will be 89.43% of county receipts. Company 58 (Cobraland) volunteered to receive no funding this year.
• Fire Budget Distribution (presented by Chairman Lynn Gilroy): Apparatus values increased: new pumper $1,250,000, ladder/tiller $2,450,000, squad $1,695,000, brush $800,000. Building allowance raised to $260/sq ft (actual construction costs exceed $500/sq ft). Building operations per sq ft increased to $3.75. Distribution at 86% of county receipts. Other categories (admin, training, public education, insurance, cadet program at $30,000, MDTs at $400,000, etc.) were maintained or adjusted. The fire distribution mirrors many EMS changes.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar items including 10th District vehicle replacement.
• Tabled both the EMS and Fire FY2027 budget distribution proposals for a vote at the October meeting. Board members were encouraged to review the uploaded documents on iLegislate.
• Reminded departments that annual financial reports for the previous year are due by October 15. Deficient departments will be contacted.
• Capital project reports are due at the next meeting, including replacement of ambulance 518 (Charles County VRS), fire rescue boat 6 (Cobraland), ambulance 68 (Cobraland), roof replacement (Waldorf), and EMS utility 12 replacements (Westlake).
• Meeting adjourned.