[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6570628,"mediaKeyId","3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d","parentId",3200534,"title","County representatives call session win for open-space funding, loss for local solar control","audioSeconds",1387,"startMs",1375000,"endMs",2762000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d&start=1375&end=2762","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570628/Caroline-County/Maryland/County-representatives-call-session-win-for-open-space-funding-loss-for-local-solar-control","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570628-86951e07715e90319e66129b38610de5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440265&Signature=dNDRMUtTODvmkmBKIvNgqcO6gbgolmd3QBWznVgFR55T0RTFwE1Us97iTHVKnKkVsgXoVs8RPeQmezXeamaYen1un5B0rLaL-EKc~as2tNs1gJNFeOiruD4T0f4pV3V90DGwIArA76OF5FviSona7AbNsTEEJFAYFI1CIiMIj534Ar-3FXrHlA-Vqv7FVz7f~GXpktEwNQuszakK2npLPCrgICYxxhpxh6qwxYk1FKbPKTcTjXCUeIR4htrjKbr6bAgJk4v2AT7fmk0CAhg3tFwrlFd2FTLu60DMkTdXytxOuZjuUYp54k2BXzKMpHGt77ubLePZIPO4sQAZ8mnnAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caroline","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Bruce Beriano and Steve Wise, two county representatives to the Maryland General Assembly, briefed the Caroline County Commissioners on May 6 about outcomes from the 2025 legislative session that will affect county planning and budgets.

They told the board that a change to the Program Open Space law — passed by the legislature and expected to be signed by the governor — lets counties use Program Open Space capital funds for operating expenses, upgrades and improvements rather than only for land acquisition. \"That should set the county up well,\" Steve Wise said, adding the change came after ongoing discussions with the Department of Natural Resources.

The pair described the session's outcome on a high‑profile solar siting bill as a setback for local control. \"Rural Maryland does not have the numbers when it comes to issues like that,\" Bruce Beriano said, characterizing the vote as rural legislators versus the rest of the legislature. He and Wise said the enacted bill limits counties' ability to block larger solar projects, though it includes a statewide cap and language that preserves local taxing authority.

Beriano and Wise described the cap and the protection of county taxing power as partial victories. \"We lobbied hard for a cap,\" Wise said. \"We did get that even though the number is way larger than we would have liked.\" Both men said they had worked with Mako (the Maryland Association of Counties) and local delegates to seek better limits for priority preservation areas and to safeguard local tax authority.

Both representatives also raised policy and safety concerns they said were unresolved in the solar legislation, including battery storage safety and possible future uses of eminent domain. \"When we run out of those people who are going to willingly negotiate a deal and we haven't reached the goals, then what happens?\" Beriano asked, saying that he worried about future pressure to take land for energy projects. He also said a county‑based solar company had been advised to \"lay low for a little while\" because relations between the industry and local governments remained strained.

Beriano and Wise reported several other legislative items of local consequence. They said the county secured approximately $500,000 in funding for regional detention center needs and that funding for a new county social services building is fully funded and scheduled for a Board of Public Works (BPW) approval hearing in July; construction is expected to begin after Labor Day if BPW signs off. \"They're gonna start construction right after Labor Day,\" Beriano said of the Department of General Services schedule.

Other technical changes flagged by the representatives included a new earlier deadline for counties to set their local tax rate (moving the deadline from July 1 to June 20) and a pending State Department of Assessments and Taxation change that will increase fees for commercial users of certain records (counties and local governments are exempt from those fees, they said). They also warned of a recently passed provision that will require counties to cover 90% of a particular state agency's operating costs; Beriano called that change \"conceptually outrageous,\" saying it was an unusual shift of state costs to counties.

Why it matters: the Program Open Space change could give Caroline County more flexibility to maintain and upgrade parks and facilities without buying land; the solar law moves more siting authority away from counties and may affect land use, agriculture, and county planning for years, according to the representatives.

Speakers quoted: Bruce Beriano, Representative in Annapolis; Steve Wise, Representative in Annapolis.

Ending: Beriano and Wise urged continued local engagement with the county's delegates, Mako and state agencies. Commissioners and the representatives discussed the possibility of additional legislative initiatives in the fall and the potential for a special session in September if state revenue projections or federal budget actions prompt further changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caroline - Caroline County Commissioners Meeting - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bruce Beriano and Steve Wise, two county representatives to the Maryland General Assembly, briefed the Caroline County Commissioners on May 6 about outcomes from the 2025 legislative session that will affect county planning and budgets.","taxTitle","Caroline County, Maryland","taxId",61674,"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},6570616,"Votes at a glance: Caroline County Commissioners, May 6, 2025",407,3880000,4287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d&start=3880&end=4287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d/thumbnail_3880000.jpg","/articles/6570616/Caroline-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Caroline-County-Commissioners-May-6-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570616-8e4dd4fc7ac4a47fc44c359c4bd55d70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=olFkmzBTfUmLsPnBE7DnLxmQ0mDiLCeeAFN~NUxqjVGk8PIse6D3Rr5yW5-gVnlRckKfMiqGv7DtIVBZEaMMz-hS~4EAGClklR59-JvCaW5e0~ePIcCRjO-b69quMhsC6q22Z0FWJHcyCxp5w2XCZqIHSkU0BH9m1xtEqgexd2ysHT5sZSxWJeuwxJ~vLyoVu-7Z0wd-dhPwTxPAhnnaCZSPJdeOD3QK71nzn6Yob3rIJu3anoKHWIaInsgLp49uWxIa4j2SBe6hk-6JK5QprBF5omojSGh4td6yc2-hB~BUOs2EzRrZldfmM0WLQUu4TrxCqa8gnfPa~WY1ecq~SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here are the formal actions recorded during the Caroline County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025.

Direct Office of Human Resources to pursue self‑insured plan with Avery Hall and allow pre‑Medicare retiree coverage — Outcome: Approved. Motion to direct HR to pursue transition to a self‑insured plan administered by Avery Hall, to permit pre‑Medicare retirees to remain on county coverage, and to keep employee contribution rates unchanged for the first year. Passed by voice vote; commissioners indicated \"aye.\" Staff to notify the state and begin open enrollment for a July 1 implementation.

Approve consent agenda — Outcome: Approved. The board approved the consent agenda, which included procurement and project items. Approval was by voice vote; commissioners indicated \"aye.\"

Authorize move to closed session for legal consultation (General Provisions Art. 3‑305(b)(7)) — Outcome: Approved by roll call. Commissioners voted to take a recess and convene in closed session for legal advice; roll call recorded ayes for Commissioner Porter and Commissioner Breeding and the chair reported a unanimous vote.

Each of the above motions was recorded in the meeting minutes; staff will carry out implementation steps where applicable.","Summary of formal actions taken during the May 6 Caroline County Commissioners meeting: the board approved a transition to a self‑insured health plan (Avery Hall) with the first‑year employee contribution rates unchanged; the consent agenda was approved; commissioners voted unanimously to enter closed session.",{"_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},6570620,"Resident urges county to assess local impact of proposed federal HUD cuts",130,375000,505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d&start=375&end=505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d/thumbnail_375000.jpg","/articles/6570620/Caroline-County/Maryland/Resident-urges-county-to-assess-local-impact-of-proposed-federal-HUD-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570620-58ec3ed81d59d5b1cfd12e265de5d7eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=THDEqYNIaFSChTPhrXwavzVIE~nG6sgbov9LVTK3WYFjP1XxJuvbbjHrnNVo-sH4dv6B4qHsekqxkLqjr~DUKPORLi2pXiecJavmbS6DranhKCc3lw5fjxBGOAPN4peAni338gOVozXE9KGpYXYIv0n-5kfSIBA98jCjLpFFdk7IwjIP-~NyPFCrIQXBWk1H9mUMNxgkfsm28CVHCJqosRXBeenIUGNEYbrjA~Sq6Gjr~xK4a16U6-eeeSeoDXokwhwOSOHO6jOfGWWE5sHb79f-5XySbzmq3eu4r6NEBRqQRmd8p-A-ZC3sZxP~pz4u9x7DppfuDBHUstzrHwiyug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the commissioners' opening public comment period on May 6, Sabrina, a Caroline County resident and member of the Continuum of Care executive committee that serves the county, urged the board to investigate the local consequences of proposed federal budget changes to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.

Sabrina said the federal budget proposal included steep reductions for HUD homeless assistance grants — she cited a figure of $532,000,000 in proposed cuts at the federal level — and described a proposed consolidation that she said would \"effectively eliminate funding for critical services like permanent supportive housing, coordinated entry, dedicated HMIS grants, and overall continuum of care planning.\" She said the Continuum of Care for Caroline County is run through the Midshore Round Table on Homelessness and that reductions would directly affect local families.

\"This directly impacts people, humans in our county,\" Sabrina said. She told commissioners that while she did not want to overstate numbers, \"it's maybe 64 households that rely on this in Caroline County,\" and asked the board to help determine and publicize the local impact so constituents could contact their federal representatives.

Why it matters: cuts to HUD homeless‑assistance programs and changes to the Continuum of Care structure would alter the federal funding stream that supports shelter, coordinated entry, HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) and permanent supportive housing, potentially affecting county residents who rely on those services.

Speakers quoted: Sabrina, resident and Continuum of Care executive committee member.","At the opening public comment period on May 6, a Caroline County resident raised concerns about proposed federal budget cuts to HUD homeless assistance grants and asked commissioners to evaluate local impacts, saying roughly 64 households in the county rely on continuum-of-care services.",{"_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},6570625,"Caroline County commissioners direct move to self‑insured health plan, will offer retiree coverage",548,2970000,3518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d&start=2970&end=3518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3200534-3e24a2c2e8e01c9e6f9f3ecc5dae516d/thumbnail_2970000.jpg","/articles/6570625/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-commissioners-direct-move-to-selfinsured-health-plan-will-offer-retiree-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570625-744e0e3d3fe61f666b9a90b6ca3ae07a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440266&Signature=CwJyi2caqUbopcc9STwwTtFOtBjWVa7kDv73DTHpZxAog8s4whwcFbqp~5GshEUZWzwhrUaYh9pjYlhmeItiDz9vzkL1WN1sWX1T2KjrNwxMxjLEYGGIFY8Pmq2G3Wbv0TeysuYL9vh26SZkgvIZvyVmvE7g9il23e6nmcxFZnuOEu4Dww9UO5eoOdwaImFNOJqklKaM2J4uv6jA6KObXTDRrob8fQkDA0raN1tEOXOGAaueNe5zoyBfUJ7qcEPxVLObET-zY9atR6~202xA3sHdfQAZb3fVDYML87Q1k4SMYzHS6rbDTRryDhV0uVOvoaJDvu2zbimc3WMPGJZ~KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caroline County Commissioners voted on May 6 to direct the county Office of Human Resources to pursue a transition from the state's health insurance plan to a county‑run, self‑insured plan administered by Avery Hall, and to allow pre‑Medicare retirees to remain on county coverage.

Sherry Bratton, director of the Office of Human Resources, told the board the change would \"allow us the flexibility to create a plan set up the way we choose for our employees\" and would permit the county to offer retiree coverage at pre‑Medicare ages. Bratton said the county had held multiple meetings with employees and the employee advisory board, and that employees had indicated a strong preference to keep the same network and plan features where possible.

Amy Hubbard, personnel benefits coordinator, said the county could keep the same provider network and the same prescription vendor used prior to a January statewide change. \"We would be going back to the same prescription provider we had prior to the change in January,\" Hubbard said.

County finance staff told commissioners the switch to a self‑insured model was expected to be cost‑comparable and possibly slightly lower for the employer side, but that the county should build plan experience during the first one to two years and therefore keep employee contribution rates unchanged in year one. Finance remarks were attributed to Daniel Fox and to county financial analysis presented to the board.

The board approved a motion directing HR to move forward with Avery Hall and to keep employee contribution rates the same for the initial year. The motion passed by voice vote with commissioners indicating \"aye.\" County staff said they will notify the state that Caroline County intends to leave the state's plan effective July 1 and will begin open enrollment for employees.

Bratton and Hubbard also proposed changing the county dental carrier from Delta Dental to Sun Life, which would raise the plan's annual maximum benefit from $1,000 to $1,500 for a modest cost increase. Staff said some local dentists had not accepted the county's prior dental plan, creating out‑of‑pocket costs for employees.

Why it matters: the change moves the county off the state's pooled plan and onto a self‑insured model that county staff say will allow more rapid plan design changes, preserve provider continuity for most employees, and extend retiree coverage for pre‑Medicare beneficiaries. Staff will return with retiree cost proposals and final rates as open enrollment proceeds.

Speakers quoted: Sherry Bratton, Director of the Office of Human Resources; Amy Hubbard, Personnel Benefits Coordinator; Todd, Vice President, Employee Advisory Board; Daniel Fox, county finance (financial remarks).","The Board directed the Office of Human Resources to pursue a self‑insured plan with Avery Hall effective July 1 and to allow pre‑Medicare retirees to remain on county coverage; commissioners voted to keep employee contribution rates unchanged for the first year.","actionData","errors"]

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