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Carroll County launches Text My Gov mass-text system; first countywide message set for noon
Summary
County staff said the new 'Text My Gov' system will send a countywide mass text at noon and allow geographically targeted messaging; residents can sign up by texting CAROL to 80946, but staff warned the USPS-sourced list may be incomplete.
Carroll County staff announced on Oct. 20 that the county’s new Text My Gov mass-texting service will go live at noon the same day and may be used for countywide alerts and geographically targeted messages.
County communications staff explained the system’s contact list is pulled from the U.S. Postal Service database and cautioned it is not perfect. Staff said they have been promoting sign-ups locally and expect more reliable reach as residents opt in. "That list is not great in the world," a staff member said of the USPS data; the official encouraged residents to sign up directly by texting CAROL to 80946.
Officials said the county has configured geographic boundaries in the system so departments can send targeted warnings — for example, messages limited to neighborhoods affected by a bridge closure, storm flooding or local roadwork — rather than only countywide alerts. Staff also said the system will be connected to the county website for automated links to agendas and minutes when appropriate.
County staff said they will discuss policy soon about which departments may send messages and how to manage the limited message allotment. They asked residents and local media to treat initial texts as legitimate and not spam. "If you text CAROL to 80946, it'll get you on the list," the staff member said.
No formal board action was required; staff described the Oct. 20 launch as a procedural implementation of an existing service plan.
Practical sign-up details stated during the meeting: text CAROL to 80946; after opt-in users receive a message back from a sending number they may save as a contact; the service pulls some content (agendas, minutes) directly from the county website.
