County executive’s nominee Daryl Barnes wins committee recommendation for planning board chair

Daryl Barnes, the county executive’s nominee to chair the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Prince George’s County, received a favorable committee recommendation from the County Council on July 8, 2025.

Barnes, a former state delegate and longtime county resident, outlined a “100‑day” plan that he said would pause hiring and procurement at the department to review contracts, personnel and spending and would create an office of performance management to publish dashboards and performance metrics. “I close it with two words that I often use, and that is ‘hope and opportunity,’” Barnes told the council during his remarks.

The nomination packet was presented to the committee by county staff. Danielle Hunter, introduced by the county executive’s office as the new appointments liaison, described Barnes’s background and qualifications. A staff transmittal dated June 22, 2025, said the county executive nominated Barnes for a term ending June 24, 2029.

Why it matters: The chair of the Park and Planning Commission oversees both planning and parks functions across land use, park acquisition and recreational programming—areas council members said they want to tie more closely to community needs and county procurement. Several council members pressed Barnes on concrete steps to make parks and recreation programs more accessible, to streamline permitting and registration systems, and to coordinate across agencies to address public safety on trails.

Council members praised Barnes’s leadership experience and national contacts. Councilmember Blaguay said the role needs “vision” more than a background in technical planning and that Barnes brings that vision. Councilmember Adam Stafford described recurring registration and access problems for families seeking programs and asked whether Barnes would prioritize changes such as more flexible registration windows and in‑community technical assistance. Barnes said he planned to “wrap [his] arms around” procurement and personnel and to use technology and marketing to tell the department’s story and increase use of parks and facilities.

Barnes also accepted a proposal from a student speaker to create a youth advisory board for parks and recreation programming. Psalm Folks, a high‑school student who described participation in a county Student Leadership Academy, recommended a student advisory board so teen events would better reflect youth preferences. Barnes replied, “I would love for you to be a part of our new advisory board led by young people,” and asked Folks to serve as chair of that advisory board.

Process and next steps: The committee voted to recommend Barnes favorably to the full council. The motion to recommend a favorable report was moved by the vice chair and seconded by Councilmember Blaguay; the clerk announced the motion “carries” with an 11‑member majority in committee. Barnes will return for an official public hearing and final confirmation vote before the full council at a later date; staff told the committee he will appear again for a public hearing on a resolution related to the 2018 water and sewer plan cycle.

Quotes: “I think this is our opportunity to be inclusive,” Barnes said when asked about outreach to immigrant communities and youth. “We will make some real bold changes to impact the people of Prince George’s County,” he added. County Council Chair Burrows said Barnes’s life story and public record were why the county executive nominated him.

Background: During his remarks Barnes referenced his tenure in the Maryland General Assembly and leadership of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, his business experience leading a county business roundtable and his firm, Barnes International. The nomination transmittal referenced land‑use provisions cited in the Maryland Annotated Code and the Charter of Prince George’s County.

Ending: With the committee’s favorable recommendation, Barnes is now scheduled for additional public proceedings before the full council. The council and the county executive’s office said they expect to continue reviewing Barnes’s 100‑day plan and proposed organizational changes as the confirmation process proceeds.