[{"_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",6486141,"mediaKeyId","5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e","parentId",5825943,"title","Votes at a glance: commissioners approve software, employee assistance and billing contracts; road‑pipe repair contract awarded","audioSeconds",4211,"startMs",2551000,"endMs",6762000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e&start=2551&end=6762","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486141/Carroll-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-commissioners-approve-software-employee-assistance-and-billing-contracts-roadpipe-repair-contract-awarded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486141-58fdd05c78a9419470935a5bf67936b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770698580&Signature=WdVMvkooZUzXU9ioqRGyBMaYg2EMgoACz7aKDk3bElMmnB8j2YzlX1u7YRp8WulWQVO9rsjmCUVLRvJMLRBudbm8eBIkBt6rh9t4Z-xFC0TonI09AoGaZ8dK3iy3S0qf8OollWRoi~OQpmIHuSt9NWSIY0uSTDvo5jrlrekpYwT1SJYX1oQBCg9LxvHJHeP~wgBTq28UcrvrMw2aQWuNnqszLW2j0gq91OBlerHCKmV7kfRki7Xyh-3CsOtkPDsxvsrdoIpGRLZ9PmhVplBgZZpP5GBmaB~g-aO3CSJIBVKUgfEMwBP5Kts2jWKTIJzENPf4b-CzoVxjJKfh83~jxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carroll County, MD","date","2025-09-25T16:11:17.7Z","article","The Carroll County Board of Commissioners took several routine procurement votes during its Sept. 25 meeting. The board approved contracts and spending authorities for document‑management software, employee assistance services, EMS billing and a road pipe replacement under a term contract.

Key actions recorded on Sept. 25:

- Project Docs (Evolve Software) renewal: The board approved renewal of the Project Docs ePlan SaaS contract with Evolve Software in the amount of $84,445.80. County staff said the amount is included in the adopted FY26 budget. A motion to renew was made and seconded and the chair called the vote; the motion carried.

- Employee Assistance Program: The board approved ongoing employee assistance program services with BHS (Behavioral Health Services or similar vendor name per procurement) for Carroll County, in an amount not to exceed $29,800 for FY26; the amount is budgeted. Staff told the board the county negotiated a three‑cent decrease in rates and secured a three‑year rate guarantee for 2026–28; the motion passed.

- Fire and EMS billing services: The board approved spending authority to pay Digitech Computer LLC up to $230,000 for Fire and EMS billing services for the remainder of FY26. Staff said Digitech is the county’s third‑party EMS billing vendor and that about 24,000 calls were processed in the past year.

- Sam’s Creek Road pipe replacement (term contract award): The board approved awarding a term‑contract task to Stanblaus (Stanbuzz/Stanblaus) Incorporated for removal and replacement of a damaged section of 72‑inch reinforced concrete cylinder pipe (RCCP) on Sam’s Creek Road at a total cost of $83,016, including traffic control and stream maintenance. Staff said the work includes replacing the end wall and applying a concrete lining to the pipe to extend service life.

Each motion was called, seconded and approved during open session. The meeting record shows the board approved these routine procurement and service actions; staff indicated amounts are included in the FY26 budget or otherwise available under approved spending authority.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Open Session September 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 25 meeting, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved renewals and spending authorities for Project Docs ePlan SaaS, an employee assistance program, EMS billing services and a Sam’s Creek Road pipe replacement task under a term contract.","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},6486146,"County communications staff outline ‘Carroll Connect’ subscription service, commissioners seek wider use for public hearings and boards",1069,7725000,8794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e&start=7725&end=8794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e/thumbnail_7725000.jpg","/articles/6486146/Carroll-County/Maryland/County-communications-staff-outline-Carroll-Connect-subscription-service-commissioners-seek-wider-use-for-public-hearings-and-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486146-fa609724c98c2a8d5e7ed4b529507cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770698580&Signature=bF-gcB-Gd3iwYpUFlrJnokuM9zYEoAmo19Gx3CTujWsvAaxxcFwzElc8qTGMArlXm8hCs5oVD1Mi81HOYc~vandcIenIjWSVRpXhrMaxvfKGVzsMl~dvj21PJSJtzkIQP0cp8okcI93aB-EPPbSd3Y~ZQGxQwxLE1Sc5qkYsesd7QrxKfoEld-vat8ODjcqTaM48rUJ0fRPImwlZN5KvkXhcF05TLywTXyEESjy68wNv0h6QJcuRTw1OC27htO8EGGRStzumnqoffOhuUfqR~sl3V~~xfUIeZuG9Bf1BlDkkrz3RTDw6Y4nUltZ9s6WwSv3pcJ3ePuYqfJ1h-izIGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County communications staff reviewed the county’s Carroll Connect email subscription system during the Sept. 25 meeting and commissioners urged improvements to make the service a reliable public‑notice tool for planning items, boards and commissions and public hearings.

“Carroll Connect is a gov‑delivery product...people can sign up for that from our website,” communications manager Chris Swam said, describing an email subscription platform that allows residents to subscribe to topic‑specific updates. Staff reported the system currently includes tens of thousands of subscriptions across multiple topics and that departments use it for a variety of notices — from meeting agendas to weather‑related service alerts.

Commissioners said the platform is under‑used for some subjects and not all topical lists are fully active. Commissioner Krebs and others said many residents assume they have subscribed to planning or public‑hearing notices but may not receive them when feeds are not fully configured; they asked staff to make the subscription lists more discoverable, to mark topics that are “coming soon” and to ensure legacy subscribers receive current content.

“Sometimes the presentations, not always, they're not attached and I've found lately there's another place you can go in, but as the user on that first page, I would never have known that,” Commissioner Krebs said. He suggested a focused public push and a short survey for current subscribers to identify what topics they want pushed to their inboxes.

Communications staff said the system handles bounces and unsubscribes automatically and that departments can create topic‑specific feeds on short notice. Staff agreed to work with department leaders to audit existing topic lists, improve discoverability on carrollcountymd.gov and run a subscriber survey to collect input on desired topics and frequency.

The commissioners also discussed using the service to distribute targeted notices about public hearings by subject or geography; staff said lists can be topic‑based and suggested combining citywide notices for countywide topics with district‑level outreach as needed. Commissioners asked for a public‑facing guide and suggested a coordinated communications push after staff finishes the topic audit and subscriber survey.","County communications staff briefed commissioners on Carroll Connect, the county’s email subscription platform; commissioners requested improvements to ensure planning and public‑hearing notices reach interested residents and suggested a survey of subscribers.",{"_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},6486150,"Carroll County hires Dr. Matthew Levy as health officer; opioid settlement funds managed through state steering process",217,7207000,7424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e&start=7207&end=7424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e/thumbnail_7207000.jpg","/articles/6486150/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-hires-Dr-Matthew-Levy-as-health-officer-opioid-settlement-funds-managed-through-state-steering-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486150-9a7bb9a520966a2c41ccdc2d02766b59/orig.mp4?Expires=1770698580&Signature=INQKgIJZZc5opKPsZX2Q7oNPKh5HjM3FRGGGhkjWWlq8S~go7DMWaGWah1vW3EsZ2VLAMRAOGV9UxmbmJwU1vWszPXafDyzoOab6pkUsPodBGvtbXSpNz-iKuD1vSGxREjUlriDeY3hrfQhrQTvXhhdD-sdUyWmjjxN51QMg1oRVcUFcep8TkKUaWhr5Y6M7uTvA09Y0f1RMRW6-p80ssfkjVnm9JY3wpVt5ijNuJEf4LIzaRDPoyjQH5lVqwN0b2AJPR12p37K6LLlicFHrQDFpcqqYZC6UhBr1YO7yynScvo6H5QoRpHnz8MdZ-n4gEGd5E4hDMjXWxhgp3h6mGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Health Department introduced Dr. Matthew Levy as the county’s new health officer at the Sept. 25 Board of Commissioners meeting and described local arrangements for distributing opioid‑settlement funding and other grant resources.

“My name is doctor Matt Levy. I am a community pediatrician by training and practice,” Dr. Levy told the commissioners, summarizing a career that includes community pediatrics programs at MedStar Georgetown, a Robert Wood Johnson health‑policy fellowship, roles with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a recent health‑officer post in Prince George’s County. He said he started with Carroll County on or about July 23 and that much of his initial work has focused on credentialing, standing orders and coordination with Carroll County Public Schools.

Health Department leadership also explained how the county handles opioid settlement funds and other state or federal grants. “The opioid settlement fees, there’s several sets. Some come directly to Westminster, some come to the county commissioners,” Health Officer Sue Doyle said, adding that some funds are routed through Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response (the state structure that administers certain settlement monies) and that the county uses its overdose‑prevention policy and planning group to vet local spending priorities and applications.

Doyle said the county coordinates spending requests with a local steering group so proposed uses align with county priorities and the state’s requirements; she also noted that funding rules and eligible uses differ among settlement streams. She said the county has taken steps to ensure that applications for opioid‑related funds align with the county’s overdose strategy and other priorities, and she confirmed the health department will present a revised strategic plan and progress report in December.

Doyle and commissioners discussed staffing: the health department said it has offered a deputy health‑officer position and continues to recruit for other leadership roles funded in part by the CDC public‑health infrastructure grant. Commissioners asked that staff raise any timing or onboarding issues if grant‑funded positions risk lapsing or causing unspent funds, so the board can assist with process timing as needed.

Dr. Levy and commissioners discussed county programs and partnerships, including school health services, behavioral‑health coordination and opportunities to formalize how the county board acts as the local board of health. Commissioners welcomed Dr. Levy and thanked Health Department staff for ongoing overdose‑prevention coordination.","On Sept. 25 the Carroll County Health Department introduced Dr. Matthew (Matt) Levy as its new health officer and described how opioid settlement funds are routed and prioritized through state and local committees.",{"_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},6486155,"County budget office reports FY25 surplus, flags reliance on income tax and future risks",1881,4412000,6293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e&start=4412&end=6293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e/thumbnail_4412000.jpg","/articles/6486155/Carroll-County/Maryland/County-budget-office-reports-FY25-surplus-flags-reliance-on-income-tax-and-future-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486155-e67371050812d87a01073b2adb637e80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770698580&Signature=iIcBE4u5sySINosL-c5UCWf7CdcbcjaJitOomKdZU0vvR3NuvsJul~0zZ4441BvAXtNnT7jOBlUs~3dTRVHCy0lfcapS-jAuI53yxpXlbMV9uij6IvErfISFfDa7GTfmpUrNDvUBJb3pMyjjoj7KSikITC1JkNBlseZ2LCaNhxs3sHqcmwC5KIUgknAbbSvM6E4zjP7KIoPpXWaKROyJgz0KzrOTw2vBEM-50oft3jqZ5oFFPnIjNvTvX8dbKTlp-O0dd2eXDVUOxfyaxJ-6Dbon6WKBf5X-96CQA7WAckhJWmH-oZjDvE8B2byxL--aRfSjl3Z1Ut8uj-h6chYeOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County’s Department of Management and Budget told the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 that fiscal year 2025 closed with revenues about $34 million higher than budgeted plus other adjustments that produced roughly a $51.4 million positive variance before the board’s FY26 commitments.

“Revenues will be, are about $34,000,000 in excess of what we budgeted,” budget chief Ted (surname not stated) told the commissioners. He also reported a contingency reserve and other unexpected inflows that together approached $51.4 million, but he cautioned the board that the bulk of that amount was committed during the FY26 budgeting process and should not be assumed as ongoing revenue.

The presentation described several revenue drivers and uncertainties. Property tax receipts exceeded forecasts by about $5.4 million (roughly 2 percent), with gains split between real‑property collections and railroad/public‑utility assessments. Income tax collections were $18 million above budget — part of a multi‑year pattern of variability for the county — but the presenter warned that much of the growth was in “minor distributions” and reconciliations rather than core payments, complicating future projections.

“I don’t want to lose that in 1 of those 5 years we came in actually under budget,” the budget presenter said, urging caution in relying on the most recent surplus as a template for long‑term planning.

The county also reported strong—but still not fully explained—gains in recordation and investment income, and the presenter said staff will examine whether those gains reflect durable changes in the local market. On the expenditure side, some departments underspent (public works was about $6 million under budget in part because of open positions and lower fuel costs). The presentation also noted that about $4 million in EMS expenditures were moved into a special revenue fund tied to EMS billing once collections and estimates became clearer.

The comptroller will present a finalized audited financial position when the audit is complete, the presenter said, and the budget office will return to the board in coming months with updated multiyear revenue projections and capital/operating recommendations for FY27 and beyond.

The presenter listed a number of potential fiscal risks: reductions or redirection of federal grants; changes to state funding or mandates; possible shifts in federal disaster response funding; liabilities tied to environmental cleanup (PFAS) and airport projects dependent on federal grants; increasing reliance on volatile income tax receipts; growing infrastructure renewal needs; landfill and solid‑waste capital needs; and other long‑term cost pressures. The presenter reminded the board that the county’s new 5 percent reserve provides a cushion but is not a permanent solution to structural gaps.

Commissioners asked questions about developer contributions to infrastructure and request handling; the board directed staff to schedule a work session on Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreements (DARA) and infrastructure cost sharing.","Carroll County’s Department of Management and Budget reported a roughly $51.4 million positive variance at the end of fiscal year 2025 but cautioned the board not to treat it as recurring revenue and highlighted multiple federal and state funding risks.",{"_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},6486160,"Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, agent‑orange exhibit set for New Windsor in October",476,2630000,3106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e&start=2630&end=3106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825943-d0d4b83cf943b53db547a00bed49399e/thumbnail_2630000.jpg","/articles/6486160/Carroll-County/Maryland/Vietnam-Traveling-Memorial-Wall-agentorange-exhibit-set-for-New-Windsor-in-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486160-b48d80e0726319d77368b2860bf8c177/orig.mp4?Expires=1770698580&Signature=nmDzzx8Ve8OkN3epRHnunDjRrb~PTAcuPXPEmufHcL7KqbRRoGBslh4KZZkRO1QJ~DrnK-Qo~K51pMJj~WIBa99VsLLqGw9Vv6ewUVOzNJE6pao~Eguyc7lOWrp9S9AKGxhglvlOyVWeIuAuhgqrmpxUCEstg4tL~NrRHY5TQXBfbg5gCvlKiHLA5u9rkSv2HPUTpXQKEqB0AIuoMtND06why4F5yH3D7Z3xy8iVhHGtArlRGA2MH4j0UenFMJ57oJKtFSNunBURRunmMKQbSt2-dRYwwU5cZ23ouKgqFqNsOdoafQFYgBIjg0NZyAEV1Cw4et8UI-QJ-a9UhgM~Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be displayed in Carroll County Oct. 9–13 at the New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds, organizers told the Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25.

The exhibit is a 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and “stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War,” Tammy Ray, community relations director for Babylon Vault, told the commissioners. “The wall will be coming to Carroll County at the New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds in a few short weeks. It will be October 9 through the thirteenth.”

The traveling wall is intended to give local veterans — and people who cannot travel to Washington, D.C. — a chance to visit a memorial in familiar surroundings, Ray said. The program will include evening observances, educational displays and special programming for veterans and students. Ray said the event has hosted more than 150 Vietnam veterans over the past four years and that more than 3,000 Vietnam-era veterans live in Carroll County.

Organizers plan several feature events: a military-artifact tent with more than 500 vetted items; an Agent Orange awareness night on Friday, Oct. 10, when the wall will be lit orange and community members may bring photos for a “Faces of Agent Orange” display; a POW/MIA tent and luminary display for missing-service members; and presentations by veterans and former prisoners of war.

Ray identified opening and featured speakers planned for the weekend, saying Oliver North would deliver the opening remarks and that two former prisoners of war — Everett Alvarez and Colonel John Furr — would speak during the program on Oct. 12. She also said the exhibit will include a living-history component, military vehicles and a restored UH‑1 (Huey) helicopter landing barring bad weather. “We will also have Vietnam nurses that will be talking about the time in service along with their uniforms,” Ray said.

The event will include educational outreach: an essay and art contest for middle and high school students (theme: “The Weight of the Names”), school‑group field-trip opportunities, and a war-dog exhibit that highlights handlers and K‑9s who served. Ray said committee members and veterans reviewed artifacts and displays to avoid creating traumatic triggers for veterans. She said the traveling exhibit has been deliberately designed so that items with visible dirt or battle wear are vetted and, when necessary, cleaned at veterans’ request.

Several commissioners praised the effort and noted the county’s large population of Vietnam‑era veterans, saying the traveling wall and accompanying exhibits provide local opportunity for remembrance, education and recognition. Commissioner comments noted the county’s longtime involvement in Wreaths Across America ceremonies and called the Agent Orange programming an important addition.

Organizers asked for continued cooperation from county departments and civic groups; Ray said the exhibit and associated displays and educational programming are being kept in the county after the event and will be available for future public use. Admission details and a schedule of speakers and events are posted with organizers; Ray encouraged school groups and community members to attend.

The commissioners did not take formal action on the presentation. The invited organizers thanked the board and volunteers for county support and assistance in staging the multi‑day exhibit.","Organizers told the Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 that the 3/5-scale Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display Oct. 9–13 at the New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds with speakers, artifacts and an Agent Orange awareness night on Oct. 10.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: commissioners approve software, employee assistance and billing contracts; road‑pipe repair contract awarded

County communications staff outline ‘Carroll Connect’ subscription service, commissioners seek wider use for public hearings and boards

Carroll County hires Dr. Matthew Levy as health officer; opioid settlement funds managed through state steering process

County budget office reports FY25 surplus, flags reliance on income tax and future risks

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, agent‑orange exhibit set for New Windsor in October