LA PLATA, Md. — After months of discussion on establishing term limits for elected officials serving on the Board of County Commissioners, Charles County is moving forward with a formal proposal. A draft bill is scheduled to be introduced Tuesday, July 22.
County Attorney Wes Adams is drafting the legislation following guidance provided during the Charles County Board of Commissioners’ regular session Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The term limit framework was shaped by board consensus, allowing Adams to move forward with the formal bill.
The outcome of the consensus for the draft proposes a two-term limit for all elected commissioners, allows for nonconsecutive service and sets Dec. 6, 2022, as the effective start date.
Commissioner Positions, Term Limits
The consensus reached at the July 8 meeting establishes that each current board member is considered to be serving their first term, making them eligible to run for office one more time — either in the 2026 election or in a future cycle — so long as they do not exceed the two-term limit.
A term is defined as four years, aligning with the board’s existing election cycle. The next Charles County Board of Commissioners election is scheduled for 2026.
Supported Four Terms:
- Commissioner Gilbert Bowling III
Supported Three Terms:
- Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart
Supports Two Terms:
- Commissioner Vice President Ralph Patterson
- Commissioner Thomasina Coates
- Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II
Consecutive vs. Nonconsecutive Terms
The board’s consensus for the draft bill includes nonconsecutive terms, meaning a commissioner could serve one four-year term, step away from office and later return for a second term — provided they do not exceed a total of two terms. Alternatively, consecutive terms would require a commissioner to serve both terms back-to-back, with no break in service between them.
The board also reached consensus that all elected commissioners — whether serving as commissioner president or as a district commissioner — should be subject to the same two-term limit.
Supported Consecutive Terms:
- Commissioner Gilbert Bowling III
- Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II
Supported Nonconsecutive Terms:
- Commissioner Vice President Ralph Patterson
- Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart
- Commissioner Thomasina Coates changed her position after clarification, but the consensus was already recorded.
Coates Reverses Position After Clarification
During the board’s last discussion, Commissioner Coates initially supported allowing nonconsecutive service. However, after clarification from the county attorney that nonconsecutive terms would enable commissioners to return after sitting out an election, Coates reversed her position and said she would prefer consecutive-only terms. By that point, a consensus had already been reached, and Adams noted that any further changes would need to be raised during the public hearing.
What’s Next
A draft bill will be formally introduced during the Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, July 22, 2025. The legislative process will follow the standard sequence:
- Introduction of the bill
- Public hearing
- Commissioners’ work session for further discussion or amendments
- Final board vote to adopt or revise the measure
Watch the Board of County Commissioners meeting on CCGTV.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
3 days is to long for these joke commissioners
True!
I’d say just term them all.
Arnold was so good in that movie
when is mike miller gonna get out of office? when is nancy (D’Lessandro) Pelosi (a Maryland native) gonna get out of office? When is Barbara Mikulski gonna get out of office? When is Steny Hoyer gonna get out of office? + the list goes on. Its the voters that don’t observe term limits. Everybodys term ends when it ends. In the case of the judges, way too long. I admit, term limits aren’t on the ballot so you can’t sit there + decide, I want them in office, but not for 6 years. [I know Nancys name is spelled wrong, I don’t pride myself on spelling names correctly]
The only thing about term limits is IF there is or more commissioners who are doing an excellent job. As voters, those are the ones we want to keep if they choose to run for a 3rd term.