LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, to reject a proposal that would have extended a one-time bonus to sworn deputies in the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
The proposal aimed to provide sworn deputies represented by the Fraternal Order of Police with a $1,000 one-time bonus. Funding would have come from the county’s unassigned fund balance, reducing it from $4 million to $3.5 million.
How The Issue Started
The discussion stems from a Dec. 9, 2025, vote in which commissioners approved a one-time $1,000 bonus for certain county employees during the fiscal 2026 first-quarter general fund review.
The bonus applied to active full-time Charles County government employees, sheriff’s office civilian staff, firefighters, correctional officers, and employees of several county-supported agencies, including the state’s attorney’s office and Circuit Court.
Sworn sheriff’s deputies represented by the Fraternal Order of Police were not included.
After learning of the exclusion, Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling submitted an agenda request to extend the bonus to sworn deputies. The item was discussed during the Jan. 6, 2026, meeting but was not brought forward for a vote at that time.
Jan. 13 Meeting And Vote
At the Jan. 13 meeting, Jake Dyer, director of fiscal and administrative services, returned to the board with additional information requested by commissioners.
The materials included a 10-year history of cost-of-living and merit increases for county employees, along with documentation addressing questions raised during the previous meeting.
Dyer explained that sworn deputies’ pay is tied to the Maryland State Police under a policy adopted in 2016. Because of that structure, their cost-of-living increases are set at the state level and automatically funded by the county.
County staff also reviewed the annual leave buyback program, explaining that it helps reduce long-term financial obligations by paying out leave balances at current pay rates rather than higher future rates. The leave buyback policy was discussed after commissioners raised questions about how employee benefits factor into broader compensation decisions during the bonus debate.
Several commissioners said the county has made substantial investments in law enforcement compensation over time and emphasized that support for public safety remains a core priority for the board.
“Our record as a Board of Commissioners speaks for itself in terms of our overall support for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, and it remains a priority for us,” Commission President Reuben Collins said.
Vote Breakdown
When the board voted, Commissioners Gilbert “BJ” Bowling and Amanda Stewart voted in favor of the bonus extension. Commissioners Reuben Collins, Thomasina Coates, and Ralph Patterson voted against it.
The motion failed.
Watch the Jan. 6 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete Jan. 13, 2026 Agenda here.
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Let’s face it, we all saw this coming from a mile away. Charles County hates law enforcement! The first responders and law enforcement officers in this county put up with far too much crap. I bet the county judges (whose favorite outcome for most arrests in the county is “released on personal recognizance”) get a nice bonus!
Now can we do the same for the useless commissioners
Call them illegal immigrants with police powers and they’ll get 5k each!!
Charles County is super hard on it’s officers. Judges release every criminal so they have to repeatedly catch them over and over, plus no bonus?!