June 24 Commissioners Meeting Update

News Release # 2026-075

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

On Wednesday, June 24, Commissioners received a presentation on proposed collective bargaining legislation, including information from county leadership regarding employee concerns related to representation, workplace conditions, compensation, and organizational support. Staff highlighted recent investments in employee pay, benefits, workplace safety, professional development, facility improvements, and employee engagement. They also outlined potential operational and fiscal impacts of implementing collective bargaining, including staffing needs, personnel costs, and long-term budget considerations. Commissioners voted 3-0 with one abstention to include proposed amendments submitted by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to the bill previously submitted by the County Attorney's Office. Commissioners plan to schedule an additional work session on Tuesday, July 7. They also scheduled a public hearing on the bill and the amendments on Tuesday, July 21.

Briefings and Updates

The County Commissioners and Board of Education held a joint briefing on the proposed School Allocations for the 2026 Annual Cycle. Staff reported that Charles County Public Schools currently have available capacity for approximately 4,499 students across the elementary, middle, and high school levels, based on September 2025 enrollment data and the County's Adequate Public Facilities requirements. The proposed cycle would allocate capacity to eligible residential development projects on the School Allocation Waiting List, while reserving a portion of available capacity for minor subdivisions and existing lots of record. Commissioners adopted the 2026 school allocation analysis and authorized the issuance of available allocations in accordance with the Adequate Public Facilities Manual.

Commissioners were briefed on a proposed amendment to the 2016 Charles County Comprehensive Plan that would revise land use designations for 351 acres surrounding Maryland Airport. The amendment would align the land use map with existing Watershed Conservation District zoning by reversing a 2021 land use designation change that was intended to support potential industrial and business park rezoning. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval following a public hearing and work session, noting the amendment would not expand industrial zoning or add new permitted uses. Commissioners scheduled a public hearing on the proposed amendment for July 21, 2026.

Annual Updates

Commissioners received updates from the following county boards and commissions:

Actions on Boards and Commissions

Commissioners made the following appointments:

• Appointed Henry St. Charlesas a District 3 representative andKevin Copelandas a District 4 representative to the Police Accountability Board.
• Reappointed Christine GonzalesandJared CooneyandappointedCrystal Dearing and Marleen Greenleaf as members to the Animal Matters Hearing Board.
• Appointed Dennis Johnsonas a District 1 Representative to the Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board).
• Appointed Bernard Howardas member of the Historic Preservation Commission.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• Charles County's FY2027 Board of Education Budget.
• The County's recommendations for five eligible Opportunity Zones 2.0 census tracts in Waldorf, Indian Head, and Newburg for submission to the State of Maryland. Per the State's request, Charles County prioritized the order of its recommended eligible tracts, with two in Waldorf and one in Newburg as the top three options within the five eligible tracts. The eligible tracts were based on federal guidelines relative to Median Family Income (MFI) and poverty rates. The County prioritized eligible tracts based upon a set of criteria that make them attractive for private investment and supporting redevelopment, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
• A letter of support for a $1.26 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application to help fund improvements at White Plains Regional Park, including new outdoor basketball courts, relocation of the golf driving range, expanded park amenities, and enhanced recreational opportunities for residents.
• The Hopewell Burial Ground Landmark Designation Application, requesting local historic landmark status to a previously undocumented burial ground discovered during construction in the St. Charles Parklands community. The designation will protect the site, honor those buried there, and recognize its historical and cultural significance to Charles County.
• A Memorandum of Understanding with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 24, which is a one-year agreement establishing FY2027 collective bargaining terms, including step increases, leave sell-back eligibility, and enhancements to the Sheriff's Office Retirement Program.
• Amendments to the P3 agreements with IQ Fiber (formerly ThinkBig) for its broadband installation projects in Charles County.
• Charles County's state and federal lobbying contract.
• An inter-category budget transfer request of $3.8 million for Charles County Public Schools that reallocates existing funds from salary savings, unused contracts, and other underutilized budgets to support instructional needs, special education services, transportation, utilities, facility maintenance, healthcare costs, and capital outlay, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and aligning resources with actual operational needs.
• A budget amendment increase of $200,000 to carry forward FY 2026 Economic Development Fund Strategic Plan funding into FY 2027, when the contract is expected to be awarded and the project initiated.
• A budget transfer request of $1,122,200 to consolidate three White Plains Capital Improvement Projects into one project account.
• A budget transfer request of $67,000 from savings in the equipment repair and maintenance account to cover a shortfall in the electricity account within the Department of Emergency Services.

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