LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Commissioners have unanimously accepted the 2025 Compensation Commission Report, approving salary increases for the next Board of County Commissioners term and endorsing a broad set of stipend adjustments for county boards and the Orphans’ Court following extended discussion about workload, recruitment challenges, and the financial realities of public service.
Associate County Attorney, Terrah Dews, opened the agenda item by explaining that the Compensation Commission was established to review pay for commissioners and eight appointed boards in accordance with state law. She noted the commission began meeting in October and used comparative salary data, cost-of-living analyses, workload statements, inflation trends from FY 2017 through FY 2025, and testimony from board chairs to develop its recommendations.
Compensation Commission Chair Vetoya Smith told commissioners that two county boards currently receive no pay, despite facing quorum shortages, high workloads and burnout. She said several boards had not been reviewed since 2017 and noted that commissioner salaries have not kept pace with population growth, rising regulatory demands or regional benchmarks.
Before voting, several commissioners expressed concern that current salaries do not reflect the complexity or demands of the role. One commissioner noted that public perception often underestimates the time commitment involved, while another said that current salaries make it difficult for commissioners to afford to live in the county without supplemental income. Although views differed on certain aspects of the workload discussion, all commissioners commended the thoroughness of the commission’s report.
Effective Dec. 1, 2026, commissioner salaries will increase. The commission president’s salary will rise from $62,969 to $66,117, and the salary for county commissioners will increase from $51,957 to $54,555.
Below is a quick recap of the approved compensation changes. Click here to view the full commission report, including rationale for each increase, new stipend, or decision to keep compensation unchanged.
Board of County Commissioners (effective Dec. 1, 2026):
- Commission President: $62,969 → $66,117
- Commissioners: $51,957 → $54,555
Newly Compensated Boards (starting FY 2026):
- Nuisance Abatement Board
- Chair: $2,350
- Members: $1,900
- Animal Matters Hearing Board
- Chair: $2,880
- Members: $2,780
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (boards last reviewed in 2017):
- Board of Appeals, Liquor Board, Planning Commission
- Chair: $2,700
- Members: $2,175
- Board of Electrical Examiners
- Chair: $2,450
- Members: $2,150
Law Enforcement Oversight Boards:
- Trial Board Members: $187.50 per trial
- Administrative Charging Committee (chair and members): $3,230
- Police Accountability Board:
Chair: $2,300 (no change), Members: $1,878 (no change)
Orphans’ Court:
- Chief Judge: $13,850 → $14,850
- Administrative Judge: $13,250 → $14,250
- Travel Stipend: Remains $500
With Tuesday’s vote, the board accepted the 2025 Compensation Commission report as is, approving all recommendations without change and authorizing the county attorney to draft legislation implementing the new compensation structure beginning in FY 2026. The commissioners approved the changes as recommended, with the understanding that certain board stipends may be revisited during future budget discussions.
Watch the Dec. 9 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete 2025 Compensation Commission Report here.
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Oh, hell no! I did not approve ANY raises for anyone in Charles County! Until they stop the overbuilding here, I say we cut their pay every year by 20% until they start listening to the people!
It’s because your approval doesn’t affect this process. You sound like another short sighted chucklehead from Charles County. A 60k salary is chump change in 2025 when you’re managing an enterprise the size, population, inventory and budget of Charles County.
These clowns been fattening their pocket all along waste of our tax paying dollars what the helllll have they done any way , look at hwy 925 south nothing but a crap hole and they do nothing
please lets do term limits over again, correctly. We shouldn’t ban the responsible, well- intended from serving. I’ll just tell you, the Governors term limits are not handled correctly in the state constitution.