Oct. 21 Commissioners' Meeting Update

News Release # 2025-108

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, representatives from Emergency Services, the Health Department, and nonprofit partner Sante Group, shared a presentation about establishing a county-specific Mobile Crisis Team (MCT). The MCT is currently provided through a regional unit that provides behavioral health crisis intervention services in both St. Mary's and Charles County. Staff provided an overview of staffing and funding options to operate an exclusive county MCT at an annual cost of $1.05 million per year. This unit would respond to calls from the 9-8-8 crisis line, Sante's phone line, and dispatch referrals from the Sheriff's deputies. Commissioners requested additional data and input from the Sheriff's Office about the value of this investment and benefits from it.

Briefings

• Dr. Dianna E. Abney, Charles County's Public Health Officer, and her team presented the bi-annual update from the Health Department. They shared information on vaccinations and clinics for the flu season, emergency preparedness training activities, community events and programming, health screenings, dental services, behavioral health, and school health support. They also highlighted services for the Developmental Disabilities Program, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)nutrition program, and coordination of healthcare for uninsured, vulnerable groups. They highlighted environmental health data on food inspections, avian flu monitoring, permit reviews, animal bite investigations, and other public health review services. Review the full report here.
• Representatives from Lennar presented the annual Docket 90 report on the development of the St. Charles community. They provided an overview of progress on neighborhood centers, housing affordability, parks and recreational spaces, the Homes for Heroes program, customer feedback, and economic impacts.
• The Military Alliance Council provided a briefing on its efforts to support the mission of Naval Support Activity Indian Head, its tenants, the Town of Indian Head, and the greater Southern Maryland region. Representatives discussed its efforts to help secure grants, funding, and new investments; facilitate strategic partnerships; support an electric resiliency project with SMECO, and advocate for the development of the Western Technology Corridor leading into Indian Head.

• Internal Auditor Johnnie Coleman presented its annual report of Commissioners' Business Expenses for FY 2025. They reviewed audit objectives, expenditures, and followed up on prior recommendations regarding Commissioners' policy and procedures.

Charles County Boards and Commissions Annual Update

Commissioners received annual updates from the following boards and commissions:

• Board of Fire and Rescue
• Commission on Individuals with Disabilities
• Commission for Women

Actions on Boards and Commissions

• Appointment of Vetoya Smith as Chair to the Compensation Commission.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A waiver of permitting fees for the Resilience Authority's nature-based climate resilience projects on county lands that provide broad public benefits. The Resilience Authority funds these projects through federal, state, and private grant funds, which pay for design and construction costs only. Executive Director Stacy Schaefer highlighted current projects already underway on county land, including a stormwater pocket park at Elite Gymnastics, a wheelchair-accessible pocket park at the Waldorf Senior and Recreational Facility, a restoration demonstration and training site at Bensville Park, and the creation of a living shoreline at the future Popes Creek Waterfront Park.
• A request for the use of the Community Support Fund for expenses incurred from the Historic Preservation Commission Awards Ceremony.
• The renewal of the lease for the United Way.

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