[{"_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",6463395,"mediaKeyId","5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50","parentId",5785615,"title","Residents use public comment period to urge improvements to transit, caregiver supports after Aging Your Way expo","audioSeconds",1624,"startMs",6748000,"endMs",8372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50&start=6748&end=8372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50/thumbnail_6748000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463395/Carroll-County/Maryland/Residents-use-public-comment-period-to-urge-improvements-to-transit-caregiver-supports-after-Aging-Your-Way-expo","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463395-fc3045bd79982d5de53739640c7e1190/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985568&Signature=Yo9r9i9KpkzeOkrai7lrz4K2XCvA2UP7IdbKBXqGlRBJU1kYc5FleSDHOy86rAOrKqnyovYSuMHQ69IaFrXskB7EzaPBtORur1tKsyhzKzPUBKxKdLSyhK0LEce-8V83nTmyh8MssJ79bVgKoPsCkOHu03pp9eobJTU7TzD~7l7K-mqM65Ax3aTIeDJEEa15a-XuE1M8JycQb2eV8BlOYtBTxdrDcl5YWBGsXoGo~G1VU9dsD6WBlDIfRXYI4B25I~TcZOKjXTGi9IljoS3-YYg6W-uSwsRTjsBZkcuOu3gR1ym6LamDWsBD4adl8riUnf4Co66vsUIVXiZ91JkZHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carroll County, MD","date","2025-09-12T04:45:20.28Z","article","Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the Sept. 11 Carroll County commissioners meeting to press the county on transportation and caregiver services after attending the county's Aging Your Way expo.

A public speaker said Carroll Transit had not staffed a presence at the expo and described how the elimination of a regular Eldersburg transit route in 2022 has increased out-of-pocket costs for some wheelchair-dependent residents. The commenter said one resident paid $186 for a single medical trip when paratransit could not guarantee timely pickup and described the household's financial strain: \"She is paying about $180 each time she has to take her wheelchair bound doctor to Chesapeake Urology in Westminster because the Carol direct response is not able to guarantee that they can pick her up with an hour of her appointment being over.\"

Another resident urged the county to do more to help caregivers and people who fall into a 'gray area' of income that disqualifies them from existing supports. She described a household where a 69-year-old spouse is caring for a husband with a severe brain injury and paying roughly $1,200 a month for private caregiving because county supports are not available to them.

Commissioners and county staff praised the Aging Your Way expo's screenings and services and encouraged the public commenters to meet with aging-services staff to identify potential supports. Staff said they had been involved in the expo, that several county departments and volunteers supported the event, and that they would follow up with attendees seeking transportation and caregiver assistance.

No board action was taken during the public-comment period; commissioners asked staff to coordinate follow-up meetings with residents and the Department of Citizen Services and Aging.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Open Session September 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the public-comment period, residents urged the county to improve paratransit reliability, expand caregiver supports and provide moving assistance for older adults. Commissioners and staff praised the Aging Your Way expo and agreed to follow up with relevant departments.","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},6463400,"New Carroll County Youth Service Bureau director outlines plans to expand access across county",434,2031000,2465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50&start=2031&end=2465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6463400/Carroll-County/Maryland/New-Carroll-County-Youth-Service-Bureau-director-outlines-plans-to-expand-access-across-county","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463400-085db22823b8d6bc0492e7373e551f66/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985568&Signature=d~iVh7Dsa6vkp07sqMIn15qrXxXII-3re8~7Gezm25eWywVcR9pTeNbyt2x9n8NQaS2mTP1kwCOEvU1bQhRFi3uq6nFsF1NswqhfHpXoxFAnIt2Fws654DcI2a00JqtgEIbdCA8CqTzRYtAoYK81AWDj9yJja-7l3gbkZPfFsJ78sAErxLorrsrYBnmsuQ5C-RrclMt-8ThMEErW831YtjZ1OTwExIvnyfOmb4aKzYqrCQbVv3eHTviLGdTi-nXCIO-w8b35iu0Qx5NDi81~XjcGiXyOWsz1~FVeWOVstj8EThwqnQPMdFEiZcc9d~TlWrOeWEH07FFGz0vFg51LRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lisa Goroff, the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau's new executive director, introduced herself to the Board of Carroll County Commissioners on Sept. 11 and outlined plans to broaden the organization's geographic reach and increase on-site clinical offerings.

Goroff said she began in June and brings more than 30 years of experience as a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. She said CCYSB has served Carroll County since 1972 and currently employs 67 full-time staff, 76% of whom are Carroll County residents. Goroff told commissioners she plans to expand on-site appointments and therapeutic group options and to take CCYSB's programs beyond Westminster to areas including Union Bridge, Manchester and Sykesville.

She invited commissioners to visit the bureau and said CCYSB will host a breakfast at the bureau on Sept. 26 at 8:30 a.m. Goroff introduced board leadership and senior staff who attended the meeting: Pat Shepper (board chair), Angela Schmart (clinical director) and Andy Lucchini (director of development).

Commissioners welcomed Goroff and several commissioners noted CCYSB's partnerships with schools, nonprofits and county departments; a number of commissioners pledged support and offered to tour the bureau. The board did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said packets and materials were provided to commissioners at the meeting.","Lisa Goroff, recently appointed executive director of the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau, introduced herself to the Board of Carroll County Commissioners and described plans to expand services beyond Westminster and increase on-site and group offerings.",{"_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},6463405,"Board accepts Enough Act capacity-building grant for Local Management Board; funding limited for FY26",899,4680000,5579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50&start=4680&end=5579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50/thumbnail_4680000.jpg","/articles/6463405/Carroll-County/Maryland/Board-accepts-Enough-Act-capacity-building-grant-for-Local-Management-Board-funding-limited-for-FY26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463405-b8e3f345c103eac0619c2447c03af060/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985568&Signature=X8XU8epdziRq4TzyItAttXXiCbrvyZq4VVtgJjAhvOrL16bSPwcOJNCg1VdAgWihkRO2seR7AHcOW6~MwTcLCKHou5SdW5R-Xd77dsiQJZZjnuYuwNFdAmOFqbBmlDunjNQhFHVCY8M6dO8JXJdpOp63OdWQ6i9JDbGVyCz3op2j2BW0lbOk4IoynhCoW6H84URAVKYE68txP0D38vixyH5kBT3zy0vchRPL6ljwS4cW2yJeNfhMNfCczm0Z0mQhe-ClswhcrWQFi2F-mFlKfOc9SZSqU1b9HrTQjuPKJdpWOpqHfMSnQbcpXpJ4Z~dfsyDK75wfSMnrWHWOPuywAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Carroll County Commissioners voted to accept a capacity-building award tied to the state's Enough Act initiative and to use the locally administered Local Management Board (LMB) as the county hub for community engagement and planning in designated high-poverty areas.

County citizen-services staff and the LMB manager told the board the Enough Act funding for FY26 is smaller than prior rounds but will be blended with other state and county funds to continue outreach and program planning. Staff said the total budget for the current round is $105,520, composed of $56,739 in Enough funding, $26,000 from a FY26 CCIF NOFA allocation and $22,000 from FY27 NOFA funding; no county match was required.

Staff described ongoing community engagement in Westminster and Union Bridge and said the LMB will return to commissioners with a draft plan of proposed investments and community-identified priorities. Officials warned that the state legislature's future appropriations remain uncertain and that the position funded by Enough Act dollars could be at risk if state funding is reduced.

Commissioners and staff discussed census-tract eligibility for some competitive federal and state funding programs and noted that county advocates are working with state officials to refine area definitions so Carroll County can qualify for more competitive grants. The board approved applying for the grant and accepting the award; staff said they will present a draft implementation plan to the board in a subsequent meeting.","Carroll County's Local Management Board will receive a multi-source governor's grant to build capacity for an \"Enough\" initiative in high-poverty communities; commissioners approved acceptance of the award totaling $105,520.",{"_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},6463410,"Commissioners approve six-month term contract for traffic engineer after prolonged vacancy; one commissioner opposes",2249,5591000,7840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50&start=5591&end=7840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50/thumbnail_5591000.jpg","/articles/6463410/Carroll-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-six-month-term-contract-for-traffic-engineer-after-prolonged-vacancy-one-commissioner-opposes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463410-1fa875d5bb551e7536ae5efe6a9278b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985568&Signature=mlKW2X2Q8AMAicVlUJ~8D~E0WnmdXUU1Xc7sw9FtD~VSdDW0xT5Ct79H4GTtC3Zb5tOuQLpoP9Y-XBP1Z6azDGI9bZ-ibaZZRfPwrZ5njq-7J4i~ZK65OIljxfLsICmeTGaGXCSjbJfnlpLTeSaByKR3OJkyxat12qCjowzXYuXJe0696BTbd330TiENs2jRzjGzO2ICZMbmmWIDlUUOMJWDhU7f4IuHbZI6N2cckV0gDy8tyB-GPAPJdrB8x1wofOYSJD6pODGXAbrZVsqGfOdRYODLgFZBmINP2jn5fkbf8LSLe~88C9slCtsDDPPflPqQ4OJKcHynVxMjigoyEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Carroll County Commissioners authorized the Bureau of Engineering to use a term contract with Wallace Montgomery for an on-site traffic engineer for up to two days a week for a maximum total not to exceed $68,640, and required monthly updates on recruitment and workload.

Public works and engineering staff said the county's traffic-engineer position has been vacant since March 2020 and that an on-site consultant has filled the gap since November 2021. Staff told commissioners the contract helps meet critical needs including sight-distance reviews, traffic-impact analysis for development, traffic-counts, sign and marking requests, special-event traffic plans and guardrail/road-hazard reviews. Officials said typical turnaround times have lengthened (from about two weeks to four) because of the reduced capacity.

Commissioner discussion focused on recruitment difficulties, compensation, and the operational impacts of the vacancy. Several commissioners said the county should accelerate efforts to hire a permanent, full-time traffic engineer; others noted recent reclassification work and said human resources is continuing active recruitment. Commissioners asked for monthly progress updates and emphasized the need to restore capacity so routine requests and safety analyses are completed more quickly.

Public comment at the meeting urged swifter action: a resident quantified the problem of outdated traffic-count data and linked it to recent fatal crashes in her district. Another speaker urged the county to prioritize day-to-day traffic-safety work, not only special-event planning.

Vote: The motion to authorize the Wallace Montgomery term contract passed 4'to\u00012 (one commissioner recorded opposition in the meeting transcript). Staff said the contract can be terminated if the county hires a full-time engineer; the board asked staff to return with monthly hiring and workload updates.","The board authorized a term contract with Wallace Montgomery not to exceed $68,640 for an on-site traffic engineer up to two days a week for six months while the county continues to recruit a permanent hire. The motion passed 4'to\u00012 amid debate about understaffing and aging traffic data.",{"_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},6463415,"Carroll County moves employee and retiree health plans to CareFirst; no contribution increases for 2026",2143,2617000,4760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50&start=2617&end=4760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785615-dfa62359b681b2c8ab73d681cd94fd50/thumbnail_2617000.jpg","/articles/6463415/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-moves-employee-and-retiree-health-plans-to-CareFirst-no-contribution-increases-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463415-a1b2bb543f8b802bd30b6f9f5eb2ae9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985568&Signature=ERk0FtyLY6vUPgd~y~9eeSXUJ-Kbl4CIOKBjAmzcujvsiS6~LD0G4KtXYsfucWvqjl53EawQTvC9pjSmY9~wJ7MjlxCjPQBBsd02afXhhJw69mq3X-UCV9t7UABETTXKtBE3ABwRwpc9dW0LZFHOes6NTPMojimpaXIRQINgkPB5z04-~~NGznDvkD15wpU0eKCPvd17j6gDDFzK~uAPF8xcWtmX3ESvUnbagrDyrXen4lkf2guUrgdq78Hx9jTEC0simeLexHVWEDv0J4b7GqJ0-qq2ckxzet~~I9VpuiKXzuDWpl80vJp2aa4BMfBDXIH5IR-Mhb5acRngBoUnUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners voted to move the county's self-insured employee medical and prescription drug benefits and the county's Medicare retiree coverage to CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the county's human resources staff said Thursday. The board approved three related actions: awarding a contract for group medical, prescription drug and stop-loss coverage for active employees and pre-65 retirees; awarding a group Medicare Advantage with prescription drug (MAPD) contract for Medicare-eligible retirees; and adopting the county's 2026 benefit plan designs and employee contribution rates.

County staff said the changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and are budgeted in the FY26 county budget. The county will continue to operate its active-employee medical plans on a self-insured basis but will transition the plan administration and network access to CareFirst; prescription coverage will be provided through CVS Health Pharmacy. Staff also recommended keeping the county's individual stop-loss attachment at $450,000 and said CareFirst offered a three-year administrative-rate guarantee and wellness credits that the county plans to use for employee health and communications programs.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the switch responds to competitive provider and pharmacy discounts, anticipated better network access for employees and retirees in Maryland, and greater predictability for county budgeting of retiree plans. For Medicare-eligible retirees, the county will move from a UnitedHealthcare MAPD plan to CareFirst Advantage PPO; that arrangement is fully insured and sets a predictable monthly premium for budgeting and OPEB accounting purposes.

Details: Human resources staff said 98% of the county's currently used providers will remain in network under CareFirst and that the county will work with CareFirst to contact providers who are not in the network. For active employees and pre-65 retirees, staff recommended no plan-design changes for 2026. For Medicare retirees, staff noted several minor plan-design differences (for example, an inpatient mental health limit aligned to Medicare's lifetime maximum, and a modest change to hearing-aid allowances) and a two-year rate guarantee on the MAPD contract. Staff said CareFirst offered $330,000 in wellness credits for year one and $365,000 for years two through five to fund wellness initiatives and communications.

Board action and implementation: Commissioners approved the contract awards and the 2026 plan designs and contribution schedule during the Sept. 11 meeting. Human resources and the county's benefits consultant will run an open-enrollment and communications program from October through the end of the year; staff said CareFirst representatives and the county's consultant will help with transition support. Staff also said the county plans to offer in-person meetings and online materials to help employees and retirees with the change.

What's next: Open enrollment is scheduled Oct. 10'Nov. 7, and staff said they will publish new ID cards and digital access to insurance cards. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript for the motions; the actions were approved during the meeting.

","The Board of Carroll County Commissioners voted to shift county employee and retiree medical and prescription coverage to CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, approve a CareFirst Medicare Advantage option for Medicare-eligible retirees and keep employee contribution rates unchanged for 2026. Contracts take effect Jan. 1, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents use public comment period to urge improvements to transit, caregiver supports after Aging Your Way expo

New Carroll County Youth Service Bureau director outlines plans to expand access across county

Board accepts Enough Act capacity-building grant for Local Management Board; funding limited for FY26

Commissioners approve six-month term contract for traffic engineer after prolonged vacancy; one commissioner opposes

Carroll County moves employee and retiree health plans to CareFirst; no contribution increases for 2026