[{"_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",6565180,"mediaKeyId","3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303","parentId",3224999,"title","Heritage groups, historical foundation and library thank Carroll County for funding, cite economic returns","audioSeconds",1581,"startMs",647000,"endMs",2228000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303&start=647&end=2228","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303/thumbnail_647000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565180/Carroll-County/Maryland/Heritage-groups-historical-foundation-and-library-thank-Carroll-County-for-funding-cite-economic-returns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565180-d1dab37ce823bbca64a64e2a9e786f71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974373&Signature=hsCCSIrZMIIzjpdcY5UnazbhG7ycpXCcQjrqzUP-DD16f0u-JrnY8ZRhtkwxDhSdbDDubZI7Rn9UwqugJqeN04GIdqrXtLGHvHlW7VG05Ezeb0O4~lmiFnz31JDwscMA6rGKpZ8-jjTRmO4WWxQt-f6wGJeb3U0PxNanBWEwklH1SNfHWlCts~N79SKQsi3EjQB9lWFHeD0rU7T1CQQGQ9DjmLkWmJkZq3etb1UpztZDAyTWQWbhCy-ntrwcPYWon99f3nNaBi1nTEx-ZpKPOl6Wiuas-NygfUyzVM2F92yc0MxGWRRhZC3bm5TgWhQgOskdC7PD2JusVrJd6TyoGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carroll County, MD","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of local heritage organizations and the Carroll County Public Library used their time at the county's FY26 budget hearing to thank commissioners for ongoing funding and describe the economic value of that support.

Liz Chateau, executive director of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, told the commissioners the certified heritage-area designation allows Carroll County projects to access state grants that otherwise are unavailable. \"No local nonprofit or government can tap into state heritage area grants except by way of the certified heritage area,\" she said, and added that over time the program has helped secure \"close to $800,000 in grants for Carroll County-based projects.\" Chateau said Maryland's heritage-area program yields a strong return on investment, asserting, \"for every $1 Maryland invests in this program, our communities get $7 back,\" and she said the heritage area is convening partners for bicentennial planning and a geo tour launching in September.

Sam Riley, president of the Union Mills Homestead Foundation, thanked the commissioners for a $20,000 grant and for county capital investments in the county-owned property such as paving and a mill-wheel replacement. Riley said the foundation relies on volunteers and fundraising to limit taxpayer burden and that stable county support helps the nonprofit operate a county-owned facility.

Andrea Bersler, executive director of the Carroll County Public Library, thanked commissioners for sustained funding that she said allows the library to plan multi-year services for more than 96,000 cardholders and to partner with schools, the community college and county government.

Speakers asked commissioners to continue the county's support, citing a mix of cultural preservation, tourism returns and public services as reasons the funding yields broader community benefits. No formal county action was taken; these comments were part of the public‑comment portion of the FY26 budget hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FY26 Budget Hearing - May 6, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, the Union Mills Homestead Foundation and the Carroll County Public Library thanked commissioners for county support and described how local funding leverages state grants and supports tourism and services.","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},6565184,"Miller entrepreneurship center asks Carroll County for continued support, seeks transition plan if funding ends",89,816000,905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303&start=816&end=905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303/thumbnail_816000.jpg","/articles/6565184/Carroll-County/Maryland/Miller-entrepreneurship-center-asks-Carroll-County-for-continued-support-seeks-transition-plan-if-funding-ends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565184-26751464583201d63b34d31440624539/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974373&Signature=PLvMr7nEMKcjZz-noK0WtTcmcHpWeJRT-fnSxPtPr6aw0f5BGkgqaLU9bse7m8~1b198h6YY7OpWjU1Aip0SOv2Ywta6q1cjrlVeVEoV-4rlt7wrdwJhJsiQoCtGQUVWNNutvsY7ZuASVCd-mk8QKpjYi-1hVo1wL7wyx8fQBe8jMyJAZJvZjtxfp4CmEt049VkxtYw1A3tEZFDyXpxX~JbMQXJGK03iKPv0b8WjNj1LkDIuSiRYDRXnlF7iHn3gK5fhRZ5Nzwj~qkz6KLZ6JN219x7K8UI8eHLKXMmU-mkWQfXgEOGosIMv3-GEVkutSKxKlOfqywvP58DkdKK5qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Mazurski, director of Miller Resources for Entrepreneurs, told Carroll County commissioners the program has started more than 300 businesses and served over 1,000 clients since he began work with the center and urged continued county support at the FY26 budget hearing.

\"Last season, when we had the budget debate, we were asked to do monthly reports and economic analysis. I need you to review them,\" Mazurski said, urging commissioners to consider the monthly data he said demonstrates the program's success. He said Miller currently has about 40 clients in process and requested either continued funding or a transition plan \"if it's a no and you're not gonna fund it, we need to transition.\"

Multiple entrepreneurs and community members described Miller's role in helping startups and small businesses. James Darryl Jones, president of NetPay 2 ks International Corporation, said he volunteers with Miller and praised its basic business training for new entrepreneurs. Brian Cox, a local resident and small-business customer of Miller, said the center's professionalism and guidance had been \"invaluable\" in his attempts to secure funding to purchase a business. BJ Phelps, a registered nurse and Carroll Community College alum who founded a senior-care business, said she could not have launched her company without Miller's business training and support.

Mazurski also told the commissioners the program contributes net positive value to clients, saying \"the study shows that if you shut the program down, your clients will actually lose money because Miller pays more money into the fund than it takes out.\" He asked that, at minimum, the county provide time and a transition plan to avoid harming clients if funding changes.

No formal county action was taken at the hearing; the comments were submitted as public testimony to inform commissioners' upcoming budget deliberations.","Tom Mazurski, director of Miller Resources for Entrepreneurs, and several local small-business owners told commissioners the Miller program supports hundreds of clients and startups and asked the county to either continue funding or provide a transition plan for about 40 in-progress clients.",{"_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},6565190,"Carroll County proposes $802.8 million FY26 budget; details water, sewer and solid-waste rate changes",302,94000,396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303&start=94&end=396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303/thumbnail_94000.jpg","/articles/6565190/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-proposes-8028-million-FY26-budget-details-water-sewer-and-solid-waste-rate-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565190-8eefdb2999cb275d0b0cfb3c51610299/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974373&Signature=ZIaiUIwJQGYBxvUwyHjV2wyRzDtMi2d61VJ9mBnv-644nRkCpcd62BD2KxRHnx5SYwY6wp~JtpwS019PZoPHuEwKetxNR3nIwhokkFLqLGvqgI8iw5r5q8twh0AzoWzUQSrBm8wD7xdNzOKCPFcqGY0Hf62sJ1g-iGV9608EE7~MOrQdSaX5zG0O8vWalmLkyWiLf8GUZCNm9xjc7sDyMIvnF54sGwn7TWnRpKv20Z3Lyx6S-dxYpaVeXW3MPVqG5ZPBE73dqLrt6OxPvqkuT3Zw6tnVgkKsG8Epmgp3ETdqciGCoonvdJ9Dh0rAij8AiGY~gdhWjTKtyzc7UMTDHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ted Zaleski, Carroll County director of management and budget, summarized the county's proposed fiscal 2026 budget and presented proposed changes to utility and solid-waste rates at a public hearing on the FY26 proposed budget.

Zaleski said the general fund (operating budget) is proposed at $580,983,760 and the capital fund at $128,310,901. He listed other fund totals that together produce an all-funds total of $802,817,052. Zaleski asked the public to submit comments via the county website and noted the commissioners planned two budget work sessions followed by adoption; county staff stated commissioners are scheduled to adopt the budget on May 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Zaleski described proposed water and sewer rate changes \"pursuant to chapter 51-01c of the Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances of Carroll County.\" He gave the county's proposed water rates as: base charge $14.38; usage 0–10,000 gallons $11.03 per thousand gallons; 10,001–30,000 gallons $11.36; and over 30,000 gallons $11.82. He described proposed sewer charges as a quarterly base charge of $20.40 and usage tiers of $13.24 (0–10,000 gallons), $14.17 (10,001–30,000 gallons) and $15.54 (over 30,000 gallons).

Zaleski also recited proposed solid-waste and recycling fees: municipal solid waste $70 per ton; construction and demolition debris $85 per ton; sewage sludge $90 per ton; residential automobile flat rate $8 per load and minimum disposal fee $8; recycling fee $55 per ton; commercial scrap tires $175 per ton; scrap tires off the rim $3 each and on the rim $4 each; yard trim commercial $40 per ton; and bulky waste $75 per ton.

Zaleski explained the hearing covers the operating and capital budgets, six enterprise funds (including water and sewer, solid waste, septic, firearms facility, airport and fiber network), pension trust funds, grant and special revenue funds, an other post‑employment benefit fund, and a length-of-service awards program fund. He invited members of the public to sign up to speak and told attendees each speaker would have three minutes.

No formal votes were taken at the hearing; Zaleski said the commissioners will review public comment and hold work sessions before adopting the budget.","County budget director Ted Zaleski presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget totals and a timetable for adoption, and described proposed water and sewer rate tiers and a slate of solid-waste and recycling fees at the public hearing.",{"_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},6565194,"Carroll County speakers urge commissioners to keep $13 million for public schools after AIB waiver",2300,502000,2802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303&start=502&end=2802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224999-670c2873ea493e78d7468883995ea303/thumbnail_502000.jpg","/articles/6565194/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-speakers-urge-commissioners-to-keep-13-million-for-public-schools-after-AIB-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565194-3944b12b5dd8b15b57334ffdd1be8736/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974373&Signature=CxAXZHavk66vairYMJTHC8QcOyfW0QHwLAEItkhuZ3ay4425uMamo3RhM2D72jbA-qG7P~rMKJ2kt9COnTIICbjjnOIt-evQdFL12U0~uFJN21V1Bk~Vqpv5TCUF4dwQIqpo2ATIJE3FjWWZsUhWpRssiTlKXCUtQjj1M~v1YGN1DAYqjmzaxL9Lqk0xdaHMm3MRTTO4C~DNPyft7NJJkpN1DUMZPuhK4PUMk0Rh7en829P3KvmH4Kfwk8gXWsv1-MLj8VnawW1hJqQ0ws7b70ouqId~uxi92pC4MgSaWCPnY3E3SuB7SFln1V89ktufw8gmbyhS5wTmkO2bXN7sRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents, parents, educators and union leaders told the Carroll County Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that the county should preserve a $13,000,000 preliminary increase to Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS).

Speakers said the waiver granted by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) provided time to plan but not forgiveness. \"This waiver was not a free pass, it was a lifeline,\" said Dr. Amanda Dzaskowski, a parent and public-education advocate. Several speakers said failure to maintain the $13,000,000 would force immediate cuts that would harm students and staff.

The request matters because, speakers said, the county must both meet state blueprint-related obligations and avoid further erosion of school services that parents and teachers rely on. \"I urge you in the strongest possible terms to adopt the $13,000,000 increase proposed by commissioners Kyler, Rothstein and Gordon,\" said parent Lehman Tuttle.

Speakers described specific consequences they expect if the money is removed. Lisa Masano, a parent, said that even with the $13,000,000 included in the preliminary budget, CCPS \"will still be forced to lay off 3 clerical staff from central office and make $400,000 in cuts to instructional materials to balance their operating budget.\" Cindy Porter, president of the Carroll Association of School Employees and a long‑time paraprofessional, said she made \"less than $39,000\" last year and that the proposed operational increase would allow the district to honor the third year of a negotiated pay increase for education support professionals.

Speakers also cited broader community impacts. An unidentified community member said, \"Carroll County Public Schools serve over 25,000 students\" and noted the system employs roughly 1,800 teachers. Julie Walsh and others described a large local advocacy effort: Walsh said the AIB received more than 1,300 emails from Carroll County residents in support of the county's waiver request.

Those testifying said the waiver gives the county time to craft a sustainable plan but not to delay action. \"If we squander this time we will face even more painful cuts, deeper inequities, and greater risk to student success,\" Dzaskowski said. Multiple speakers asked commissioners not only to adopt the current preliminary commitment but to begin planning longer-term revenue and funding strategies.

Commission staff earlier described the schedule for budget work sessions and final adoption, and hearing organizers invited written comments on the budget via the county website. No formal vote or action on the $13,000,000 occurred at the hearing; speakers were making public comment to inform the commissioners ahead of upcoming budget sessions.","Parents, educators and union leaders told Carroll County commissioners at a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that a preliminary $13,000,000 increase for Carroll County Public Schools must be preserved to avoid layoffs and cuts as the county implements a temporary waiver from the state Accountability and Implementation Board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Heritage groups, historical foundation and library thank Carroll County for funding, cite economic returns

Miller entrepreneurship center asks Carroll County for continued support, seeks transition plan if funding ends

Carroll County proposes $802.8 million FY26 budget; details water, sewer and solid-waste rate changes

Carroll County speakers urge commissioners to keep $13 million for public schools after AIB waiver