[Friday, March 21, 2025] On Tuesday, March 18, Sarah Guy, Chief of Property Acquisition; Wes Adams, County Attorney; and Elizabeth Theobalds, Deputy County Attorney, held a briefing on encroachments on county-owned property. Encroachments are unauthorized use of land by someone other than the owner that often result in dumping, burning, littering, and loss of tax revenue for the county.
The presentation defined encroachments, where encroachments were located, and photographic examples. Encroachments are considered trespassing on county property, and the county has a right to require the trespass to be abated at the expense of the trespasser.
2025 Legislative Update
Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, briefed Commissioners on the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session. The March 18 briefing covered bills that reached crossover day. In the Maryland General Assembly, crossover day is the latest possible day in the session where a bill can cross from one house in the General Assembly to another (i.e., From the House of Delegates to the Senate). Bills that do not “crossover” by this day are subject to additional review before passing to the opposite house.
In local legislation, House Bill 835, which would alter where beer, wine, and liquor can be sold and consumed at Regency Furniture Stadium, was successfully passed from the House to the Senate. House Bills 841 (repeal of the gaming permit review board) and 1283 (Off-Highway Vehicles Regulation and Enforcement) also passed from the House to the Senate.
Local bills that did not reach the opposite house by the deadline include a bill concerning extra training for Homeowners Association Board members and a bill requiring the Board of Education provide a minimum of 6 years’ notice to bus contractors before terminating their services.
In state legislation, House Bill 1036/Senate Bill 931, which would change how counties approve solar energy projects, failed to cross over. Negotiations are still ongoing in Annapolis for amendments to the bill before passage.
Finally, Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter opposing a recommendation from the Department of Legislative Services to remove funding for land preservation programs from the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) of 2025. Negotiations are still ongoing for amendments to the bill before passage.
Briefings
Jacob Dyer, Acting Director, and Ms. TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget, Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented the first Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Work Session. The opening session covered Enterprise Funds, Operating and Capital Improvement Program Fees, and Charges for Water and Sewer, Recreation, Cable, and Cannabis funds. Commissioners will hold weekly budget work sessions ahead of the full Fiscal Year 2026 Budget unveiling on April 8.
Department Highlights
Commissioners heard updates on the activities of the Charles County Departments of Emergency Services, Public Works, and Media Services:
Approval Items
Commissioners approved:
The presentation defined encroachments, where encroachments were located, and photographic examples. Encroachments are considered trespassing on county property, and the county has a right to require the trespass to be abated at the expense of the trespasser.
2025 Legislative Update
Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, briefed Commissioners on the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session. The March 18 briefing covered bills that reached crossover day. In the Maryland General Assembly, crossover day is the latest possible day in the session where a bill can cross from one house in the General Assembly to another (i.e., From the House of Delegates to the Senate). Bills that do not “crossover” by this day are subject to additional review before passing to the opposite house.
In local legislation, House Bill 835, which would alter where beer, wine, and liquor can be sold and consumed at Regency Furniture Stadium, was successfully passed from the House to the Senate. House Bills 841 (repeal of the gaming permit review board) and 1283 (Off-Highway Vehicles Regulation and Enforcement) also passed from the House to the Senate.
Local bills that did not reach the opposite house by the deadline include a bill concerning extra training for Homeowners Association Board members and a bill requiring the Board of Education provide a minimum of 6 years’ notice to bus contractors before terminating their services.
In state legislation, House Bill 1036/Senate Bill 931, which would change how counties approve solar energy projects, failed to cross over. Negotiations are still ongoing in Annapolis for amendments to the bill before passage.
Finally, Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter opposing a recommendation from the Department of Legislative Services to remove funding for land preservation programs from the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) of 2025. Negotiations are still ongoing for amendments to the bill before passage.
Briefings
Jacob Dyer, Acting Director, and Ms. TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget, Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented the first Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Work Session. The opening session covered Enterprise Funds, Operating and Capital Improvement Program Fees, and Charges for Water and Sewer, Recreation, Cable, and Cannabis funds. Commissioners will hold weekly budget work sessions ahead of the full Fiscal Year 2026 Budget unveiling on April 8.
Department Highlights
Commissioners heard updates on the activities of the Charles County Departments of Emergency Services, Public Works, and Media Services:
- The Department of Emergency Services is upgrading the county safety radio system. The project started on Dec. 20, 2018, and has a capital Improvement Project (CIP) value of $44.1 million dollars. The new system includes new power plants and electrical work to prepare for the new system, and construction of new towers in Marshall Hall and Port Tobacco.
- The Department of Public Works is securing permits and procurement for the new Pinefield EMS Station. Permits for the new site were submitted at the start of the year, with an anticipated construction procurement of summer 2025.
- Media Services continues to inform residents through their “Stay Connected” campaign. The campaign seeks to provide residents with information on staying current on county government news through video, podcast, and digital newsletter products.
Approval Items
Commissioners approved:
- A resolution to complete a property donation to Melwood.
- A memorandum of understanding between commissioners and the Historical Society of Charles County’s Friends of Rich Hill to preserve the Rich Hill Farmhouse.