LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Commissioners voted Tuesday, Jan. 6, to schedule a public hearing on proposed legislation related to an increase in county commissioner compensation.
During the afternoon session, Terrah Dews, associate county attorney for Charles County, requested that commissioners set a public hearing date for proposed Bill 2026-01, which would codify compensation recommendations previously approved by the board on Dec. 9, 2025.
Commissioners voted unanimously to hold the public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata. The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation.
The underlying compensation recommendations were accepted by the commissioners at their Dec. 9 meeting, when the board approved the 2025 Compensation Commission Report. That action endorsed proposed salary and stipend adjustments for the next Board of County Commissioners term, county boards, and the Orphans’ Court.
If enacted the proposed changes would take effect Dec. 1, 2026, coinciding with the start of the next Board of County Commissioners term.
No compensation changes were adopted at the Jan. 6 meeting. The board’s action was limited to scheduling the public hearing required to move the legislation forward.
2025 Compensation Commission Recommendations
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:
- Travel Stipend: Remains $500
- Chief Judge: $13,850 → $14,850
- Administrative Judge: $13,250 → $14,250
Watch the Jan. 6 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete 2025 Compensation Commission Report here.
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Over paid now start doing your job by coming up 925 south and start cleaning up the illegal yards that cars parked in front yards trash ,living in bldg. no permits behind their house and freebies that I don’t get.then we will look at a raise.
KMA! There will be no raises for anyone until you stop ALL of the building and fix these horrible roads! If you can’t live in the ridiculously high tax money you steal from us each year, you’ll have to start making some cuts. I vote for all of your salaries to be cut by 50% immediately!!!!!