[{"_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",6612634,"mediaKeyId","2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f","parentId",2889827,"title","BOCC reviews FY26–31 capital improvement plan; public safety equipment and EMS staffing draw detailed discussion","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",7462000,"endMs",7638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f&start=7462&end=7638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f/thumbnail_7462000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612634/Calvert-County/Maryland/BOCC-reviews-FY2631-capital-improvement-plan-public-safety-equipment-and-EMS-staffing-draw-detailed-discussion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612634-8b092d86ff695dc68b6d0fe18b740d83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=oJ2Ex~jU8seE2SOtBeElJhPQ6pZFZiYOKbq5rohy4es~vBlfx-~nx7Xg4iZ845jhtrSH3K8E6IeGonYonYTGU3eV1DnOzRJUZPqgxk478OLXU~sS6ihKMv7ayTX3f1nMCaovzKpkHwP~8juR0joqIlRxS-WdOn4GCpW-3FlFScGu6aOFsQXYOdReHrKuSE~YkvGGjEj~wAixNVKfCt-0c6fhR2PCxLM6Y6hLp0DcviINKJa5TE7fzW4U~13MbpQMSbN6kvPa82xRgsSx2fIwzjeiuL7ysw2NF9YCYHTwIo8PznLyQSEgOqcwj3D9606zBNNIqfPXKALJW0G8ixtQTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County, MD","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Calvert County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on a staff-recommended update to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026–2031 at a work session on April 1. Danielle Russell, acting capital and grants management specialist, presented project reprioritizations and a trimmed FY2026 request. Staff said many projects were moved into later years to reduce near-term capital needs.

Key changes and discussion points:

- Transportation and public works: Director JR Cosgrove said the department reduced the FY2026 transportation request by 57% from initial estimates by moving projects into future years and renegotiating scopes where possible. Cosgrove cautioned that MS4 permit obligations remain and cutting stormwater work too deeply could leave the county short of required performance targets. The board pressed for details on road and drainage project timing and scope.

- Public safety and EMS equipment: Commissioners and staff discussed several detailed items, including transfer of two volunteer department ambulances to the county career EMS fleet and the costs of placing those units into service (replacement stretchers, loading systems, radios and cardiac monitors). Deputy Miller and EMS staff explained that adopted trade-ins or transfers provide chassis but the county must supply equipment such as Liferpak cardiac monitors and new powered stretchers; a modern stretcher and loading system can cost on the order of $92,000.

- Lifepak replacement/lease: Staff noted that many existing Lifepak 15 cardiac monitors are approaching an eight-year service life and parts are becoming scarce. The county is evaluating a fair-market lease-to-own option that would replace monitors system-wide and include maintenance; costs and residual trade-in values depend on market condition and the vendor. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the trade-in values and lifecycle costs.

- EMS supervision and staffing: Career EMS leaders described current supervisory spans of control (one supervisor covering a large geographic area) and said increased supervisory staffing would improve field oversight, training and response coordination. Commissioners and staff discussed run-card assignments, double-dispatching where volunteer and career units both respond, and the need for work sessions with emergency communications and volunteer leadership to refine dispatch practices and supervisory roles.

- Bonds and financing: Commissioners asked whether additional bonding authority would be required. Staff said much of the work was to push projects into years for which the county already has or can seek bonding authority; finance staff will analyze remaining bonding capacity.

Russell said the overall CIP six-year total fell from roughly $89.8 million to $62.1 million in the FY2026 staff recommendation, a 31% reduction for the first year. Commissioners asked staff to return with additional details on bonding authority and to convene follow-up sessions on EMS dispatch/operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting - 04/01/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a revised six-year CIP with overall reductions and project timing changes; commissioners and staff spent substantial time on public-safety items including ambulance transfers, life‑pack replacements and supervisor staffing, and asked for follow-up on bonding authority.","taxTitle","Calvert County, Maryland","taxId",61673,"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},6612638,"Ethics commission ordinance update reviewed; commissioners ask staff to clarify removal criteria following state law",246,6660000,6906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f&start=6660&end=6906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f/thumbnail_6660000.jpg","/articles/6612638/Calvert-County/Maryland/Ethics-commission-ordinance-update-reviewed-commissioners-ask-staff-to-clarify-removal-criteria-following-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612638-66b1be1edc47e1d7c015870c4b018111/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=c6-Qh2Lg6O2sFbhTDxVI-vI7hNpdnE3SvcJJx9-l8pk8gHhJ949qDJanZ2ntwEDMAdbh7fj0jBIt0wHJeA~tzJDS17RUC8qfnyGz~VBc3f8rGe2j7vSbZ6pEmA3lclI7LgnilTgEgkiSw8Pnqy0fVSOsw7VxC0Wbh0zeR1NOHzG3pmpGtlXfntjzLo0wgmdKT9KK03TiXyvezRGM4wwoIMm46c~0eltPEtHlNCRA4MWiaQ3EfYwNUf6ukxHVeREKNSXAOPzzdlex1QjO1ChlCmSjaW10hAhaC4GFtu8~cS3HhiizMriOuN7FudySphhSOGa9RpYCFBMd54mdyhr1Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Ethics Commission presented draft updates to the county ethics ordinance at an April 1 work session after passage of House Bill 834 (2024), which requires local ethics codes to include disclosure of any recommendations to expel a county commissioner for violations of specified conflict-of-interest provisions.

Emily Shreve, constituent services specialist and new staff liaison to the ethics commission, and John Trass, vice chair of the Calvert County Ethics Commission, summarized the changes. Shreve said the draft ordinance aligns county code with the legislative mandate that the ethics commission publicly disclose recommendations for expulsion and that the county enact regulations granting authority to remove an elected official for certain conflicts of interest.

Commissioners expressed concern about possible ambiguity in the draft language regarding what constitutes grounds for removal. One commissioner cited a hypothetical—whether minor legal violations such as traffic tickets could be interpreted as grounds for removal—prompting discussion about the need to focus the ordinance on conflict-of-interest provisions specified in statute.

Trass and staff noted that the draft ordinance tracks the statutory language and that the ethics commission has obtained a favorable preliminary review from the State Ethics Commission. Commissioners unanimously approved a motion directing the county administrator and staff to confer with the ethics commission and county counsel to clarify the parameters, and to return with guidance and a proposed public hearing schedule.

Shreve said there is no immediate fiscal impact and that the county would proceed with a public hearing after the clarifications were drafted.","Calvert County Ethics Commission presented draft ordinance revisions required by 2024 House Bill 834; commissioners asked staff to confer with the commission and county counsel to clarify the scope of removal criteria and public disclosure requirements before a public hearing.",{"_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},6612643,"College of Southern Maryland highlights enrollment growth, new cyber labs and workforce pathways",2223,2937000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f&start=2937&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f/thumbnail_2937000.jpg","/articles/6612643/Calvert-County/Maryland/College-of-Southern-Maryland-highlights-enrollment-growth-new-cyber-labs-and-workforce-pathways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612643-6139381823fe38d9589c75a4f484fae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=XoVgMuJKtqYYEQtRsz4EuxYx1K4b7xRcL7ZhD-bQYQKcpOLeO4ES3NCzP-uM8LG-vNbby9pbgn32WgjQvUaXBCJBFZgU7Q-2eZRAcPP~DfeaAGp6uYi5l576wpGWLF3zsnvLgiRFec-C8BYgCOJ4zpCFwj7vpjfkZyKzeB~NUj-05DRQxUYVRCv4iGpCjgYlxwdnhMVcl5zavRwo9cDoI~qaSqE4ZAEeytxDuGqWZNSaP04QSPCwrFAPC7Jn845J-MKHeaQ8HgV8X4jZA2RS2mzhHOGbs9jTzn~o9xj~iTszDRaoixYITMbgCdnootYuh0guW9EXQQJRLEG~19fdUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Yolanda Wilson, president of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), and a delegation including trustees Pamela Cousins and Celeste Alexander Frye presented the college’s annual State of the College to the Calvert County Board of Commissioners on April 1.

Wilson said CSM’s fiscal year 2024 awards included 753 associate degrees and 555 certificates, with 244 recipients from Calvert County. Over the past three years, 24.4% of CSM degree recipients were Calvert residents. Enrollment trends show a 4.5% increase system-wide for credit and noncredit learners in FY24, with Calvert County student enrollment increasing 11.2% year-over-year and a 49.9% jump in dual-enrollment participation.

Wilson emphasized CSM’s strategic plan (2024–2029) built on three pillars — access, momentum and mobility — and highlighted workforce and transfer partnerships. The college touted cybersecurity program credentials and two new immersive cyber labs, including one at the Prince Frederick campus. Wilson said CSM’s statewide cyber-range network will give hands-on training at community colleges across Maryland and that CSM’s Leonardtown cyber lab will hold a ribbon-cutting May 14.

CSM outlined new and expanding workforce programs: the Center for Trades and Energy Training (welding, electrical, HVAC, construction), nursing and health sciences partnerships (clinical apprenticeships and potential radiation therapy associate degree), and a proposed Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS that has been approved by college curriculum committees and submitted to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for approval. Wilson said the aviation pathway would include industry partnerships, possible lab equipment donations from military partners and articulation to a baccalaureate program.

Student speakers and alumni illustrated outcomes: Brianna Garcia described transferring from CSM to the University of Maryland and her scholarships and internships; other alumni recounted apprenticeship-to-career pathways in HVAC and mechanical engineering internships leading to full-time positions with Navy-affiliated employers.

Wilson said CSM is planning supports specifically for displaced federal workers in Southern Maryland, including dedicated advising, credit-for-prior-learning evaluation, laptop loaner assistance and job fairs. The college also announced plans for a Center for Career Development and Success and detailed partnerships with local chambers of commerce to connect graduates with employers.

Commissioners thanked CSM representatives and raised questions about applied baccalaureate degrees, program expansion and capacity; Wilson said discussions continue with the University System of Maryland and state higher-education authorities on transfer, applied baccalaureate options and program alignment.","CSM presented its annual State of the College to the Calvert County commissioners, spotlighting enrollment growth, cybersecurity labs (Leonardtown ribbon-cutting May 14), trades training, an aviation maintenance program under review, and workforce supports for displaced federal workers.",{"_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},6612648,"Commissioners approve eight new 9-1-1 positions to address staffing shortages",471,2448000,2919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f&start=2448&end=2919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6612648/Calvert-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-eight-new-9-1-1-positions-to-address-staffing-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612648-a25620223e2ca3b1cea54f0c55d2fe91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=l4Ss0arVlD3GTqFciGjKVzSE11GWuQ~oxNW3McbN6QdSUNN940ed1otgUcGVFzpmDMNkqJY41Ahv4acBEKnBARJlUppV~h4JuW1zpGNhb04AK-0IGXhbG9--cxL0MsS427tKarRBdrRG4KyyuWy4xwJ05AxwTELFMNPODrgjZeAmT3KCMF2mdeXDS3BmIXt-uCsA3U5ra2N24tXJgCfUW27K7~fZS9km0JPvd4wnTo8gzG9LIcq4rJJFeb7SpaeBNShNEIbgEX4qdBJtc1YWHQjOdT~ojpdUvSqtPInWzSsJ6J9nHzATeZ6zj03videBIt8H7ii4vSInHpQzplVf-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners on April 1 approved a resolution and budget amendment (BA2025-0318) to add eight permanent positions in the county Emergency Communications Division: four public-safety call takers and four Dispatcher I positions.

Crystal Dowd, deputy director of public safety, and Emergency Communications Division Chief Stanley Harris presented a workforce optimization study commissioned in 2023 that concluded the current authorized staffing level (28 telecommunicators and four supervisors) was insufficient for projected workload. The study recommended increasing full-time equivalents by eight positions to address ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.

Dowd and Harris explained the increase in available Maryland 9-1-1 surcharge revenues makes the hires feasible without taking general fund dollars. The department estimated the annual cost for the eight FTEs at $798,592. To accelerate hiring this fiscal year, staff proposed using $219,494 of FY2025 state 9-1-1 grant disbursements to cover partial-year salaries ($162,132), overtime ($26,258) and night differential ($31,104).

Harris said vacancies have fallen from a high of 13 two years ago to two at the time of the presentation and that the department had a pipeline of roughly 15 applicants to interview. He described a call taker’s primary role as answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls and explained that dispatchers perform call-taking functions and dispatch police, fire and EMS units.

Commissioners asked about hiring pipeline, retention, and whether the hiring process had been streamlined; Harris credited Workday and improved recruitment and said the center’s retention out of training was about 80%—above the national average cited in the study. The board held a public hearing; one email was accepted into the record and no speakers spoke in person. The motion to close the record and adopt BA2025-0318 passed unanimously.

Dowd and Harris said the new positions will be funded with Maryland 9-1-1 surcharge revenue, which the county expects to collect at higher levels in FY2025 (the presenters cited a delta between years of approximately $1.39 million in surcharge receipts). Staff noted that surcharge revenue may only be used for eligible 9-1-1 expenses.","Board authorized four public-safety call takers and four Dispatcher I positions, funded with Maryland 9-1-1 surcharge revenue; county projected annual cost $798,592.",{"_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},6612652,"Calvert County commissioners approve $12.47 million correction to FY2025 school appropriation",228,2184000,2412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f&start=2184&end=2412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889827-142ddb8c7f3c5e77189e1f97d59f261f/thumbnail_2184000.jpg","/articles/6612652/Calvert-County/Maryland/Calvert-County-commissioners-approve-1247-million-correction-to-FY2025-school-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612652-5351eb145b1555606ea636dd3420e346/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141711&Signature=LAvxJgSzH4krNvewE38IG6vILU3opHf68-9Mv400IXoEf-D3a4SlMxO0d10WLIT0wGZ7HdYmGkA8Y1-9CU6TT9V2J9HQGrzNl1aLXCrHif5hhahT0P5vKpBqEx5vz4vQEFCUhvzWObxWDMvY6HYa5GqebRiecpQ3AqrIDFPiAtLDdbVyHNuGUbgo1LDSvN6mApWLxVk5LBNQunWbuNH6t4DDFXNuQ505Gg7czqkj8TvTLl4Y1z2WrsoRx0scELoiOzENc0xKrWTERfLEJDSfd75Uh0F3E02E9DNmW6ujpm3s0OeBKp8TcO-BHYc8Z-6vRjkzNhq41uQ~W9O22FekPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Board of Commissioners on April 1 approved a budget amendment that allocates $12,469,199 to the Board of Education for Calvert County Public Schools, closing a gap created after an emergency action last June.

Acting Deputy Director of Accounting Caleb Brannon told the commission the department of finance and budget recommended the allocation and described the proposed funding sources: roughly $8 million from prior-year fund balance, $1.5 million from the Board of Education OPEB contribution, and about $2.9 million from additional funds. Brannon said the action would \"legalize our budget last year and the action that we took.\"

The board held a public hearing on the item; no members of the public spoke. After closing the record, a motion to approve and adopt resolution and budget amendment BA2025-000356 carried with all commissioners voting aye.

The amendment was presented as a corrective step following an emergency meeting on June 12, 2024, convened after the superintendent informed the county that teachers and support staff would need to be laid off because of a budget deficit. The board previously voted that evening to increase the allocation for the schools; the April 1 action formally incorporated that increase into the county's fiscal 2025 appropriation.

Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions during the April 1 meeting. The record of the public hearing was closed before the final vote and the resolution was adopted.

The budget amendment text and supporting materials are part of the county’s public record; Brannon said the department had made the recommendation after coordinating with the superintendent and school system staff.","The Board of County Commissioners adopted a budget amendment to allocate $12,469,199 to Calvert County Public Schools, legalizing funding added after an emergency June 12, 2024 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BOCC reviews FY26–31 capital improvement plan; public safety equipment and EMS staffing draw detailed discussion

Ethics commission ordinance update reviewed; commissioners ask staff to clarify removal criteria following state law

College of Southern Maryland highlights enrollment growth, new cyber labs and workforce pathways

Commissioners approve eight new 9-1-1 positions to address staffing shortages

Calvert County commissioners approve $12.47 million correction to FY2025 school appropriation