Feb. 3 Commissioners’ Meeting Update

News Release # 2026-021

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Charles County Commissioners continued their work on a proposed bill that would establish an Inspector General Office in Charles County. Wes Adams, County Attorney, discussed several portions of the bill, including a provision that would allow civic organizations to have a role in evaluating members for the oversight committee. The County Attorney stated that the bill would be ready for introduction by March 3.

Briefings

• Stacy Schaefer, Executive Director, Charles County Resilience Authority, presented the 2025 Year in Review. By year-end 2025, the Resilience Authority secured over $5.76 million for nature-based climate resilience projects across Charles County. Funding sources include the federal Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as state and philanthropic funding initiatives. Highlighted projects include the continued construction of the elite Gymnastics Stormwater Pocket Park and the recently completed Waldorf Senior & Recreation Center Accessible Pocket Park.

• Renesha Miles, Chief Equity and Access Officer; and Elaine Pollard, Equity & Access Coordinator, briefed commissioners on a Quarterly Equity Update. Topics included the recent office rebrand, a definition of key terms related to their work, and their recent actions to foster equity in county government.
• Commissioners discussed proposed amendments to the Charles County Zoning Code. The conversation was based on a request by Dr. Amanda Stewart (District 3) to make several edits to the code related to retail sales establishments exceeding 100,000 square feet within the Urban Center, Mixed-Use, and Transit-Oriented Development zones. The proposed amendments would amend an error in the code and amend use classifications in the Mixed-Use and Transit-Oriented Development Zone. Commissioners gave consensus for staff to draw up legislation based on the amendment as well as a briefing on the potential economic impact.
• Commissioners discussed a proposed Project Labor Agreement Policy. The proposed policy would create a policy for labor agreement projects on contracts with an estimated cost of $20 million or more. The request would also establish a Project Labor Agreement Coordinating Committee to oversee proposals for approved projects. The committee's operational makeup would be established by the County Administrator and County Attorney and then approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners gave consensus for staff to come back with a look at how the policy would work if only applied to county projects, and if it would work on any commercial project.

Legislative Update

Danielle Mitchell, Acting Deputy County Administrator, held a legislative update on the 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session. Currently, Charles County Government bills are in the process of being drafted. Commissioners gave consensus to provide letters of support when bills come in.

Commissioners also received updates on three housing-related bills: The Housing Certainty Act, the Starter and Silver Homes Act, and the Maryland Transit and Opportunity Act, which were a part of the Governor's legislative package. Commissioners were also briefed on the "BAMBY Act," a bill supported by the Maryland Association of Counties that would alter state oversight, zoning, and taxation authority for residential housing development. Commissioners gave consensus to send a letter explaining concerns related to the Housing Certainty Act, the Starter and Silver Homes Act.

Department Highlights

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Commissioners heard highlights on the activities of the Department of Public Works.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A budget transfer request of $662,370 to cancel the White Plains Water Enhancements capital improvement project. Modeling scenarios indicated a minimal or insignificant decrease in water pressure due to future development; therefore, major upgrades are not recommended at this time.
• A budget transfer request of $1.88 million to cover modifications and technology updates to the government building auditorium to facilitate live and hybrid meetings.
• Façade Alterations to Blue Crabs Stadium for signage and color changes to the outside of the building.
• Direction to staff to begin a Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would amend the County's Land Use Map to match the rezoning that occurred in October 2024 for properties surrounding MD Airport, along with the corresponding Land Use District Table 3-3.

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