Charles County fire budget faces 14% funding gap

The Charles County Board of Fire and Rescue Commissioners has unveiled a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget that leaves volunteer fire departments funded at only approximately 86% of their calculated needs. While the county expects to collect roughly $18.4 million in fire and EMS taxes, the distribution formula reveals a significant gap between available revenue and departmental requirements.

Specific operational costs were highlighted during the meeting, including the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department’s fuel expenses, which reach nearly $8,000 per month. After countywide expenses are removed, approximately $10.6 million remains to be distributed among individual departments, covering station expenses, insurance, training, and apparatus replacement.

The board also noted the recent passing of two prominent community leaders: William “Bill” Eckman, a former La Plata mayor and Deputy Chief, and Thomas “Tom” Flint II, a past chief affiliated with the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department.