The Web
Charles County Govt

Geocaching Passport

ImageCharles County Economic Development & Tourism Department is a participating location to pick up the new Maryland Municipal League (MML) Geocaching Passport at the La Plata Town Hall.

Commemorative Items

ImageBeautiful Charles County commemorative items are currently available for sale in the County Commissioners' Office while supplies last.

Staff Only

Departments

Hours of Operation are 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. unless otherwise indicated

The Board of County Commissioners

Charles County is governed by a board of five County Commissioners who are elected at-large to four-year terms. The President presides at meetings and hearings of the Commissioners. The President is the only full-time position and may reside anywhere in the County. The other four Commissioners are part-time. Each resides in one of four Commissioner Resident Districts, which are realigned every 10 years following the Census. All must be registered voters.

They are responsible for:

• Raising the revenues to fund the capital and operating budgets of County departments and agencies;
• Providing for the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the County;
• Adopting and updating the Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and overseeing the development process;
• Establishing, promulgating, and enforcing County rules, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures;
• Appointing boards, commissions, and task forces to advise them and make recommendations; and
• Fulfilling the mission of Charles County Government and serving on various boards and councils in the County, region and State.

How To Communicate With The County Commissioners:

Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Government Building)

To reach the County Commissioners when they are not in session, call 301-645-0550 or 301-870-3000 to schedule an appointment. The Maryland Relay Service TDD is 1-800-735-2258. Or you may email them at commissioner@charlescounty.org

Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

The Commissioners meet on Tuesday of each week between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and on Wednesday of each week between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Building. Their weekly agenda is published each Thursday on the County's website, each Friday in the Maryland Independent and recorded on the County's Automated Response System, available by calling 301-645-0600, then pressing "2" after the introductory message.

In order to accommodate citizens who may be unable to meet during regular business hours, the Commissioners conduct annual Town Meetings in each of the Commissioner-Resident districts.

Vacancies for boards and commissions and application deadlines are advertised through the local news media and on the County's website. Interested applicants may submit an application for appointment to serve on a particular board or commission along with a brief resume' to Clerk to the County Commissioners.

 

County Administration

DIRECTIONS & LOCATION MAP (located in the Charles County Government Building)

Roy E. Hancock, Acting County Administrator 301-645-0550 or 301-870-3000

The Charles County Administrator is responsible to the County Commissioners for the day-to-day operations of County government; prepares and recommends an annual budget for all County-administrated agencies; prepares policy recommendations for Commissioners’ approval; works with the County Commissioners to set their meeting agendas; assists the Commissioners in establishing long and short-range goals and objectives for the County; maintains liaison and coordinates efforts with other State, Federal, County, and non-profit agencies; and supervises and evaluates department heads.

Vacant, Assistant to the County Administrator 301-645-0550 or 301-870-3000

The Assistant to the County Administrator performs administrative management work on assigned County functions, projects, programs, and services; provides leadership, program direction, policy guidance, and administrative management to assist the County Administrator in carrying out assigned activities; coordinates activities that are often diverse and difficult to integrate and administer; represents the County Administrator on a wide range of matters within the County government, to other government entities, private organizations, and community groups; and initiates proposals, policies, projects, and programs to improve County services, respond to mandated requirements, and meet the needs of County residents.

Joyce Schmidt, Chief of Staff 301-645-0550

The Chief of Staff manages and coordinates all the work of the County Commissioners and directly assists and reports to the President of the Board of Commissioners; is responsible for supervising all administrative operations within the executive offices of the Commissioners; providing daily briefings to the President on all matters related to the Commissioners regarding the media, legislative delegation and other county governments within the region; administers constituency services program for all County Commissioners; manages the response to constituent and government official inquiries regarding County ordinances, policies, procedures, practices, services and functions; represents the Commissioners before community and fraternal groups and conducts ceremonial functions as required; Serves as a liaison to the State Legislative Delegation and Congressional Offices.

Denise Ferguson, Clerk to the County Commissioners 301-645-0554 or 301-870-3000

The Clerk to the Commissioners serves as the official recorder for the meetings of the Board of County Commissioners. The Clerk is responsible for contacts with the public and others for the purpose of facilitating the public's use of services; represents the County Commissioners at certain events and functions; is the keeper of the County Seal, the Clerk attests and affixes to all official documents and contracts executed by the County Commissioners; is the official custodian of all County Government documents; ensures all official actions taken by the Board of County Commissioners are maintained and recorded in compliance with the proper state or federal agency; schedules retreats, summits, training and other such meetings for County Commissioners with Boards, Commissions, Committees and outside agencies.

Joane Gulvas, Safety Officer 301-645-0687 or 301-870-3000

The Safety Officer manages and coordinates all aspects of occupational safety and health for the employees of Charles County Government, investigates County Government vehicle accidents, acts as the ADA coordinator, EAP coordinator, and handles all insurance policies and claims that involve Charles County Government.

Board of Elections

Directions & Location Map
301-934-8972 or 301-870-3167

Physical Location (NO MAIL DELIVERY)
201 East Charles Street La Plata, Maryland 20646

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 908 La Plata, MD 20646-0908

Office Hours
 Monday - Friday
8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
(answering machine on after business hours)

Election Board meetings are conducted every 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 am. These meetings are open to the public.

CCG-TV

Charles County Government's Cable Access Channel
301-645-0728

Community Services

Karen Lehman Cieplak, Director
8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco, MD 20677
Directions & Location Map

The Department of Community Services is responsible for County services involving aging, community centers, child care, grants, housing, and public transportation. Community Services administers various community and senior centers, including the Nanjemoy Community Center, which is a multi-service center offering wide-ranging programs and services, as well as facility rental to the residents of southwest Charles County.

County Attorney's Office

Roger Lee Fink, County Attorney
Directions & Location Map
301-645-0555 or 301-870-2260

The Office of the County Attorney is responsible for all legal affairs of the County Government.

Legal advice and representation regarding a wide range of County issues is provided for the County Commissioners, County Administrator, Department Directors, Treasurer, Sheriff and all County agencies, boards and commissions.

Economic Development & Tourism

George Robertson, Director
103 Centennial Street, Suite C, La Plata, MD 20646
Directions & Location Map
Email
301-885-1340

The Economic Development supports existing businesses and new companies in locating to and expanding in Charles County. The Department also supports business, land and building development, permit processes, area demographic and employer reports, and labor training initiatives. The Office consists of Corporate and Business Clients services, Tourism, and Special Events.

Tourism promotes and develops Charles County’s tourism events, supports new and existing tourism amenities, and supports the area’s visitors. Promotional programs and events target leisure and business visitation, while preserving our community through Heritage Development and liaison between private and public agencies for the economic benefit of the travel and conference industry.

Emergency Services

William Stephens, Director
10425 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD 20646
Directions & Location Map
Email

The Department of Emergency Services is responsible for emergency preparedness, emergency medical services, the false alarm reduction unit, animal control services, animal shelter operations, 911 fire and rescue communications, and the tactical response team (Hazmat).

Fiscal & Administrative Services

Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Government Building)
Deborah Hudson, Director

The Department of Fiscal & Administrative Services oversees the County’s financial affairs, assigned County functions, programs, and services, which include: accounting and financial reporting, financial management, utilities billing, budgeting, purchasing, and information technology functions of the County.

Human Resources

Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Government Building)
Stephen Brayman, Director

The Department of Human Resources is responsible for personnel policy and procedures, recruitment, employee relations, classification and compensation, compliance with equal employment opportunity programs, benefits administration, employee training, safety issues, including workers' compensation, the CDL (Commercial Driver's License) drug and alcohol program, and OSHA compliance audits. The Department of Human Resources also administers the County’s wage and salary program, and discipline process.

Planning & Growth Management

Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Government Building)
Melvin C. Beall, Director

The Department of Planning and Growth Management is responsible for permits, inspections, planning, capital improvements, engineering, development services, environmental resources, agricultural programs, subdivision, special exception review, and zoning enforcement.

Public Facilities

Willis Proper, Director
1001 Radio Station Road, La Plata, Maryland 20646
Hours: 7:30am.-4:00pm
Directions & Location Map

The Department of Public Facilities is responsible for County parks and recreation, park development, County roads, County-owned buildings, landfill operations, recycling, yard waste composting, in-house capital projects, maintenance of County vehicles and equipment, and environmental education. Parks & Recreation produces The Guide, a recreation publication, four times annually which lists the many activities and services available for all ages throughout Charles County.

  • Administration 301-932-3440 or 301-870-2778
  • Adopt-A-Road, Litter Hotline 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778
  • Buildings & Trades/CIP 301-932-3490 or 301-870-2778
  • Landfill 301-932-9038 or 301-870-5481
  • Recycling 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778
  • Parks & Recreation 301-932-3470 or 301-870-2778
    • Gilbert Run Park 301-932-1083
    • White Plains Golf Course 301-645-1300 or 301-843-2947
    • Laurel Springs Park, Ruth B. Swann Park,
    • Robert D. Stethem Park, Bryantown Sports Complex,
    • Oak Ridge Park, Maxwell Hall Equestrian Trails, White Plains Athletic Complex,
    • Turkey Hill Park 301-932-3470
  • Roads 301-932-3450 or 301-870-2778
  • Severe Weather Hotline 1-888-460-SNOW
  • Citizen Concern Hotline 1-800-595-ROAD

State's Attorney's Office

Leonard C. Collins, Jr., State's Attorney for Charles County Maryland
Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Courthouse)
301-932-3350 or 301-870-3413

The State’s Attorney’s Office is responsible for criminal prosecutions, child support enforcement, and drug forfeitures. Civil lawsuits involving the County are handled by the County Attorney’s Office.

Treasurer's Office

Jerome E. Peuler, Jr., Elected County Treasurer
Directions & Location Map (located in the Charles County Government Building)

The Treasurer's Office is responsible for the administration and collection of all County property taxes. The Treasurer's Office also collects payments for recordation taxes, utility bills, tag-a-bags, liquor licenses, permits, dog tags, and various other fees and fines. In addition, as a convenience to citizens, the Treasurer's Office provides motor vehicle registration renewals. In May of each year, this office also conducts the Tax Sale for properties with unpaid real estate taxes.

Utilities

William A. Shreve, Director
5310 Hawthorne Road, La Plata, MD 20646
Hours: 7:00am.-3:00pm
Directions & Location Map (Mattawoman Waste Water Treatment Plant)
301-609-7400 or 301-753-8270

The Department of Utilities is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and compliance monitoring of the water and sewer facilities owned by the County Commissioners, including wells, booster stations, storage tanks, water mains, fire hydrants, water meters, manholes, pump stations, sewer mains, and wastewater treatment plants.