[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612636,"mediaKeyId","2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7","parentId",2889832,"title","Commissioners approve several grants, contracts and purchases including EMS training grant, bridge design, and debt-accounting software","audioSeconds",25,"startMs",9111000,"endMs",9136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7&start=9111&end=9136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7/thumbnail_9111000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612636/Carroll-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-several-grants-contracts-and-purchases-including-EMS-training-grant-bridge-design-and-debt-accounting-software","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612636-f645ff876de809b0296d68d5903e9d32/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840199&Signature=Ryv1ylqwT83cE4I-Sd22K~AtWKqqMOumiBOxb-AXd89dCSJkvrLbKbEKuCZKTuJKZV4nzMR9b48lXH5MFgKyAsXh099pR1lU7~WaDdxyRsJHJFvXbaxoo~TjNybLVMRn9G0VfXuwsOtbYZhHz84qOhqzcRct34HXwlhuDVqy~Qql-8RK7~1eut~PaNNJMeaFfyb1RKKtpL1lZsjyqpCbX~4zqRBNv2mFxwMoKzheYcbNhu74YJV2fYNJQiO8Plbd~AbqZh5R0Wa~LZPZIB4iVZ9jcQlEoiTB~CSTEaoSVd1mrJMy5WJ4L~UVShuuooG0qoLeDjHQE8zxpRn~GRhaZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carroll County, MD","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","Carroll County commissioners voted on multiple grants, contracts and purchases during their April 3 meeting. The board approved a set of county-run and grant-funded items that county staff said are within the FY25 budget and are necessary for operations, planning and capital work.

Key votes and approvals at a glance (text below lists each item, the board outcome, and key details):

- Advanced Life Support (ALS) training grant: The board approved submission and acceptance of a FY25 ALS funding grant that will reimburse continuing-education costs for approximately 100 county paramedics. County staff described the grant as 100% funded with no local match. Vote: approved by voice vote.

- Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) grant: The board approved acceptance of a $5,000 BOLD grant (through the Maryland Department of Health and CDC program channels) and execution of a contract with the Carroll County Health Department. County staff said $3,500 is planned for marketing and $1,500 for programming and training; the award is intended to increase cognitive-health screening and community awareness. Vote: approved by voice vote.

- Community asset map, assessment and strategic-community plan (Enough Act / local-management-board work): The board approved an award to Due East Partners LLC (listed in procurement documents as \"Due East Partners\"), not to exceed $52,800. One commissioner abstained from that vote citing a direct relationship with the firm; the remaining votes approved the award. Vote: approved, 4–0 with 1 abstention.

- Debt accounting software-as-a-service (Debtbook): The board approved purchase of Debtbook, a cloud-based debt and lease accounting platform, in an annual amount of $138,000. County staff described the system as necessary to meet GASB lease and subscription accounting standards and to centralize contracts and liabilities. Vote: approved by voice vote.

- Engineering design and construction-related services for Hawks Hill Road bridge replacement: The board awarded a contract to Wallace Montgomery for design and construction-phase services in an amount not to exceed $310,655. The structure is about 13 feet long and has a current weight restriction; county staff said the bridge shows some deterioration and will be replaced with county funds (not federal, because it is under 20 feet). Vote: approved by voice vote.

- Stamped-concrete installation at the Farm Museum pavilion: The board approved a purchase order to HDI Contractors for stamped concrete installation not to exceed $84,950; county staff said the installation is part of the pavilion project and remains within the project budget. Vote: approved by voice vote.

Items referred for further information: The board heard a sole-source procurement request to fund the Maryland Small Business Development Center (Northern Region) counseling services at $75,000 for calendar year 2025. Several commissioners asked staff for additional details about the matching funds and federal/state funding shifts before making a final decision; staff agreed to return with additional information and the item was not finalized at this meeting.

Why it matters: The approvals fund training, planning, software that affects accounting compliance, and design for a short-span bridge replacement. Several votes used FY25 budget authority; the community-asset contract is grant-funded under the Governor's Enough Act/local-management-board program, and the bridge and software purchases were described as within the adopted FY25 budget.

Ending: County staff will proceed with grant submissions and contract execution where approvals were given, and will return with requested additional information on small-business counseling funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Open Session April 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Carroll County Commissioners on April 3 approved a package of grants, contracts and purchases including an ALS training grant application, a $5,000 dementia-awareness grant, a community-asset contract, a Debtbook subscription, a bridge-design contract and a stamped-concrete purchase for the Farm Museum.","taxTitle","Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",7748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612645,"County liaison warns of state budget tax increases, reports gains for county on solar siting and criminal records bill",1223,3440000,4663000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7&start=3440&end=4663","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7/thumbnail_3440000.jpg","/articles/6612645/Carroll-County/Maryland/County-liaison-warns-of-state-budget-tax-increases-reports-gains-for-county-on-solar-siting-and-criminal-records-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612645-fe3d4d09d97e31bee7dfb97e3f129448/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840199&Signature=N8iFTRbMRtGIpa-zvl4b0Wa3muZeuvJDw9X~WzibzypOznRBkWeA-mKCykMgDT2hg85zbXTEAHniHg-3S7DVzPjyEYJSON9nV2WIqNZ-zIvv8224OckXXC2BDxJJso63LflC8gou6Zfq1w2bjsJ7XqcrNroOFvD0tI8OPH12Dtc9QwLCay-4nFdpxwHI5P6SjdluX4FVmrxGO6qrHFRwXKb5fSKlsParoJnDKKqVjsnXkXkpY1MwFkPGTj-B~MCzzPwXnDHINOKV13yrZ1qIZFmuRei7I936Bp9sdCc1gG3smhzEDM9EpI7vv5SfHyqWAjP5BiwGpianojxhdItwEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County's legislative liaison updated commissioners on April 3 about late-session developments in Annapolis, telling the board the fiscal 2026 state budget was largely set and that counties should watch several revenue and policy items as the legislature moved to conference committees.

Taxes and budget: The liaison said both the House and Senate budget versions include a range of new or expanded taxes and fees that could affect Carroll County residents and businesses; items cited included a capital-gains tax, a 3% data and IT services tax, expanded cannabis taxes, sports wagering, and sales-tax changes. The liaison said differences remain in the conference committee — for example, vehicle excise and rental-vehicle fee differences — and stressed local leaders should track final conference outcomes.

Solar siting: On energy legislation, the liaison said recent amendments to the large-scale solar bill restored some county control. Counties can now reject solar projects larger than 5 megawatts in Tier 1 and 2 zones; agricultural priority preservation areas (PPAs) are capped at 5% of county PPA acreage for solar; and the Public Service Commission must consider local zoning when reviewing projects. The liaison noted remaining questions about decommissioning-bond rules and battery-storage regulation.

Education \"Blueprint\" and waivers: The liaison also reported on Maryland's Blueprint for Education debate. The Senate passed its version; a conference committee will reconcile House and Senate differences, including per-pupil funding and provisions covering \"collaborative teacher time.\" The liaison said the county and school system are pursuing a waiver from the Maryland Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) and encouraged citizens to contact AIB on that request.

Criminal-history and bond bills: The liaison said Carroll County\u0000s bill to expand criminal-history records checks passed both houses unanimously and was with the governor, and a local bond bill also passed both chambers and was headed to the governor.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that the budget and major policy bills could have direct fiscal and operational impacts for the county. The liaison urged officials to remain engaged during the conference committee and offered to provide a comprehensive post-Sine Die report on all tracked bills.

Ending: Staff will return with a full legislative report after Sine Die. The liaison also flagged that local organizations (including regional groups opposing specific transmission projects) were mobilizing public comments for state regulators.","Carroll County's legislative liaison told the Board of Commissioners on April 3 that the state budget included multiple tax and fee changes under conference negotiation, that counties won increased local authority on some solar siting provisions, and that a county-backed criminal history records bill passed both chambers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612650,"Carroll commissioners direct staff to ask planning commission to study APFO changes, including traffic-control tests and advisory vs. mandatory rules",2614,5661000,8275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7&start=5661&end=8275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7/thumbnail_5661000.jpg","/articles/6612650/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-commissioners-direct-staff-to-ask-planning-commission-to-study-APFO-changes-including-traffic-control-tests-and-advisory-vs-mandatory-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612650-eb85b74c746c8f0ed579686f60b62de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840199&Signature=FSs2~GYNli5LSZhquapZ-U15JWo3MEt7q8997yrPuenURStjw6duX~eGtGnk3YFglZQrA~tOqFsW2zvTJqYWbUmHqxuiBMi219OxJKMl4klLK~USgM7ktiqgKmfbZspepX65bMNttmiMNsOGEK8vbzm3O-3yp9DXDEuj8DJBnsTbHs65lkiClO8YxpkNMvNZwOGe-xNHHTNmYOG-jw2pPnNZmcKfPv~TaCjc~nYsmFvf7kupz~D0EkFqC5LpyQ0WrvW9xuz22i8KdiC~CbhO7hAX844yGdJRM7uFBTYdMzcTiMiY5yuZzqvWGvJYTkjdO-m-L-idiSuf4fD-lw~BMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners on April 3 directed staff to open a targeted review with the Planning and Zoning Commission of Chapter 156 — the county's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and concurrency-management chapter — with particular emphasis on whether traffic-control measures should be tested separately and whether the APFO's mandatory blocks can be replaced or supplemented with advisory thresholds.

The briefing documented the code's current scope: the APFO applies to most residential development (major subdivisions and residential site plans) and tests schools, water, sewer, roads, police, and fire/EMS. County staff said municipalities set their own APFO rules and that surrounding counties also vary in which facilities they test (some counties test parks, stormwater, or solid waste; many do not test police or fire).

\"The adequate public facilities portion is really the test on a project by project basis,\" staff told commissioners. The concurrent \"concurrency management\" report is an annual, countywide look at the same facilities and is presented to the commissioners as a policy-level summary.

What commissioners asked staff to study: Two topics drew sustained attention. First, several commissioners asked staff and the planning commission to examine whether traffic control (for example, signal timing and intersection control) should be a separately documented APFO test rather than purely subsumed within roadway capacity analyses. Second, some commissioners asked for options to make portions of the APFO advisory or to permit more frequent exceptions so planning and budget decisions could be more flexible.

Commissioner concerns were practical: water, sewer and roads are directly under county control and tightly coupled to development approvals, but schools are managed by Carroll County Public Schools and can be affected by factors outside the county's immediate control — prompting at least one commissioner to question whether school adequacy should block a project. Staff said accessory dwelling units, agricultural child's lots and minor subdivisions are not presently tested under Chapter 156, but they are included in concurrency counts for annual reporting.

Process and timeline: Staff said they will prepare research comparing other jurisdictions' APFO rules, model options (including advisory thresholds and different testing methodologies for roads and traffic control), and projected impacts. The staff will take the materials to the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation, then return the commission's advice to the Board of Commissioners. If the board decides on code changes a public hearing and multi-month amendment process would follow.

Ending: Commissioners gave staff direction to proceed; staff emphasized the work will take time and should be coordinated with anticipated state changes in land-use law. No immediate code change was adopted at the April 3 meeting.","At a briefing on Chapter 156 (the county's adequate public facilities/concurrency code), commissioners asked staff to send focused questions to the planning commission on whether to add separate traffic-control testing and whether some APFO elements should be advisory rather than mandatory.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612655,"Carroll County closes public hearing on Piney Run watershed study after engineers outline potential $11 million fixes to auxiliary spillway",1012,4656000,5668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7&start=4656&end=5668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7/thumbnail_4656000.jpg","/articles/6612655/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-closes-public-hearing-on-Piney-Run-watershed-study-after-engineers-outline-potential-11-million-fixes-to-auxiliary-spillway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612655-07e1f936b526e101e3decda430fecaaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840199&Signature=jggEYlPOF8FJblW~bkHwZSxJQqDJS1FvrAsdRH3SS82wMRGlC~yeHeMhHLU4QGOQQalryR1M7AuyKJGNR3Jx19TjCI6TBPWIY4Tbt98blKoQDh3uPcJ1mtUYZRsVudhEsjG7-KN9~6qMR9oj4gjHJDOJ-7Z1HYyU47C03cWBxe6xaHJqDQlriF2HaA7Ai5H5kdx38gL3-yYl1mHEyrbZr488LGz9iJoNPmjd~Dm5VZq~TA8oKSONhWyiyJfSZPG6JvLrJRLPRcvQFF-9KBKWs8Ra93RaZWXKMRKaOh5Diz54K-o1zAqGexZspgUgw6o10i5zoL6-YIv-FEY27zhZpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners closed a public hearing on April 3 after county staff presented the final Piney Run watershed study, which recommends widening and armoring the dam's auxiliary (emergency) spillway and installing a cutoff wall to reduce the risk that a rare, extreme storm could erode the spillway and cause dam failure.

The study, funded by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and performed by consultant AECOM, examined hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnical borings, sedimentation and cultural resources at the Piney Run Reservoir and dam. County staff said the dam is classified as high hazard and must safely pass a probable maximum flood (PMF) — modeled in the study as roughly 39 inches of rain in 72 hours — without water flowing over the dam embankment itself.

\"If that were to catastrophically let loose, you can see just downstream is Maryland 32, and then also, Springfield Hospital and the residences and so on down there,\" a county staff member said while reviewing aerial photos and cross-sections. The presentation noted the spillway currently could allow overflow to reach the dam crest by 3 to 4 feet during a PMF event.

Why it matters: Piney Run Dam is the county's largest dam. The structure is roughly 73 feet tall and 600 feet long; the reservoir is about 290 acres and holds about 1.7 billion gallons of water. A failure that sent a large volume of water downstream could threaten roadways, critical facilities and homes, county staff said — a rationale for the high-hazard classification and strict regulatory standards.

The study found two principal concerns raised earlier by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE): (1) whether the auxiliary spillway has the hydraulic capacity to pass a PMF and (2) whether the earthen spillway and underlying materials are readily erodible. Geotechnical borings in the spillway found materials that could be susceptible to erosion, the consultant reported.

Recommended mitigation measures are conceptually straightforward but costly. County staff summarized them as widening the auxiliary spillway so that modelled PMF flows are routed through the spillway rather than over the dam, armoring the downstream end of the existing spillway to resist erosion, and constructing a buried concrete cutoff wall across the spillway to stop any headward erosion before it reaches the reservoir. The county estimated design, permitting and construction at about $11,000,000.

Funding and schedule: The study and initial steps are funded through an NRCS grant; county staff said NRCS programs could potentially cover about 65% of the cost for design and construction if the county is successful in future NRCS funding rounds. County staff estimated design and permitting would take at least two years and placed potential construction in fiscal 2028 at the earliest. MDE had asked for mitigation by 2027 but county staff said MDE is allowing more time provided the county continues to make progress.

There were no public comments at the hearing. The board voted to close the hearing by voice vote. County staff said the full watershed study (about 650 pages) is posted on the county website and that public comments will be accepted through April 13 before the county completes the NRCS grant application for engineering design and permitting.

Next steps: County staff will finalize the public-comment period, close out the watershed study, and apply to NRCS for funding to design and permit the spillway and erosion mitigation measures. If NRCS funding is approved, the county expects multi-year design and construction steps to follow.

Ending: Commissioners did not make any immediate construction commitments at the hearing; the county will return with grant applications, design work and permitting documents as the NRCS process proceeds.","County staff presented a five-year watershed study on the 73-foot Piney Run Dam that found the auxiliary spillway may not safely pass a probable maximum flood and recommended widening and armoring work estimated at about $11 million; the Board closed the hearing and will pursue NRCS-funded design and permitting.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612641,"Carroll County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; county advocacy center outlines services and rising internet-facilitated cases",1136,2162000,3298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7&start=2162&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889832-801361634c5dfd4edd51294eae791af7/thumbnail_2162000.jpg","/articles/6612641/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-proclaims-April-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month-county-advocacy-center-outlines-services-and-rising-internet-facilitated-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612641-51a8ba55858faa8406f956894485ba51/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840199&Signature=GEE0bSsReeFx7znH-IveKcueehDF1rPVHBlG466QwfM6tXQyW6uwwlsofQFPefXYTeECBBGk0U0rT-PDmpMklnhh6iaQFpnkgR3ZNJ7mXC-QjVN8MDsWcC1U0iGFqi79gET78k6OvoGahvccLPC8MJCSmie~bNJ-yR6rv~KNlLaoNSt1FcW1370hnmBQr480-jrycP8Whwn4h~XVWQKZbKS6ecDiy7QSSDRuM-uI~BPiB47TmXHYJQs9KTqwm7TwamNdS7yCrWp5TgM3qqnC9xbW7-0mXvScwN4OYHPDU7MxJNStrMxLfiLk8-LnObm--OZF~NCNzKNF4aq~~0PmtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners adopted a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard a multi-agency presentation from the Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center (CAC), law-enforcement partners and child-protective-services supervisors on services, trends and community prevention efforts.

The proclamation urged citizens, schools, health-care providers and community organizations to \"go blue for kids\" by wearing blue on Fridays in April and to support awareness activities such as pinwheel gardens placed countywide. County presenters emphasized prevention, trauma-informed investigations, and coordinated multidisciplinary responses that reduce repeated interviews and support children and families.

Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center staff described the center's multidisciplinary model — which brings together law enforcement, Child Protective Services, forensic interviewers, medical and mental-health providers, advocates and prosecutors in a single child-friendly location. \"By having these services available, children and their families don't have to endure multiple interviews, visits to different agencies, or the trauma of having to share their experience time and time again,\" a CAC representative said.

2024 caseloads and trends: The Sheriff's Office presented 2024 statistics for cases seen at the CAC: 381 children were served. Of investigations cited, 48% involved sexual abuse or sexual assault; 41% of cases involved internet-facilitated crimes against children (ICAC), such as online solicitation; 10% were physical abuse and 1% neglect. The Sheriff's Office briefed that 90% of alleged offenders were known to the victim; 62% of cases involved children aged 11–17; 25% involved children aged 8–10; and 13% involved children under 6.

Responding agencies said they are expanding outreach and prevention messaging, and highlighted specific community events: an annual walk at Dutter's Park on April 24 (1–2:30 p.m.) and other awareness activities including trainings and fundraising events.

Resources and contacts: Presenters provided the county reporting line for suspected abuse (410-386-3434) and urged callers to call 911 when immediate danger exists. The county also noted a coordinated system of local nonprofits and clinical services that participate in biweekly case staffings and ongoing victim services.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the multidisciplinary team for its work and encouraged public awareness; the proclamation and the presentations will be used to publicize prevention resources and events throughout April.","The Board of Carroll County Commissioners proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard from the Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center, which described coordinated, trauma-informed services, gave 2024 caseload statistics and urged community awareness and resources for prevention and response.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve several grants, contracts and purchases including EMS training grant, bridge design, and debt-accounting software

County liaison warns of state budget tax increases, reports gains for county on solar siting and criminal records bill

Carroll commissioners direct staff to ask planning commission to study APFO changes, including traffic-control tests and advisory vs. mandatory rules

Carroll County closes public hearing on Piney Run watershed study after engineers outline potential $11 million fixes to auxiliary spillway

Carroll County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; county advocacy center outlines services and rising internet-facilitated cases