Prince George's County Council elects Chuck Burrows chair and Crystal Oriotta vice chair

The County Council of Prince George's County elected Councilmember Chuck Burrows as council chair and Councilmember Crystal Oriotta as vice chair on March 25, 2025, during the council's regularly scheduled business meeting.

Burrows was nominated by Councilmember Oriada and elected by roll call, with a recorded result of 7 yes, 0 no and 2 abstentions (Chair Meredith Jolene Ivy and Councilmember Hawkins). Crystal Oriotta was elected vice chair by a separate roll call vote that carried 8–0.

The leadership change takes effect immediately; both officers will serve through Dec. 2, 2025, according to the motions read into the record. In his first remarks as chair, Chuck Burrows pledged to pursue greater oversight and new revenue sources while emphasizing countywide equity. "We must think bigger," Burrows said, urging exploration of revenue options such as data centers while noting the need for community engagement and environmental protections.

Burrows framed his priorities around fiscal stewardship and shared opportunity, saying the council must address a structural deficit that has grown over time and avoid relying on property-tax increases. He also stressed investments in economic development, union jobs and minority business participation.

Incoming Vice Chair Crystal Oriotta thanked colleagues and her family for support and said she was ready to work with colleagues across viewpoints. "We have so many different points of views, expertise, ideas. And I know with myself and Chair Burrows, there's an openness to collaborate and learn," Oriotta said.

Council members who spoke during the nominations and roll-call explanations praised Burrows's experience in county government and Oriotta's advocacy on behalf of residents. Several speakers thanked outgoing presiding chair Meredith Jolene Ivy for her service earlier this year.

Burrows used his remarks to announce immediate committee leadership assignments, including new chairs for several standing committees; he said vice chairs and other committee placements would be announced later.

The elections occurred during a business meeting that also included routine consent items and other agenda business. The full roll-call details were entered into the record and recorded by the clerk.