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Commissioners review actuarial study on public-safety pension enhancements; staff asked to develop work plan
Summary
An actuarial report showed that several requested pension enhancements — higher benefit multipliers, larger line-of-duty disability benefits and a five-year deferred retirement option plan (DROP) — would raise the county contribution; commissioners directed staff to draft a work plan and consult stakeholders before deciding.
Carroll County officials on Thursday reviewed an actuarial study of proposed enhancements to the public-safety pension plan that would increase retirement and line-of-duty disability benefits for law enforcement, corrections and fire/EMS personnel.
The study, prepared by the county’s actuarial consultant, rounded the potential cost outcomes for three benefit scenarios: modest increases in the benefit multiplier (2.3–2.5 percent per year), larger line-of-duty disability formulas (up to 66 2/3 percent) and establishment of a five-year Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). The consultant estimated the cumulative additional county contribution for a commonly discussed package would be roughly $2.0 million a year (point-in-time estimate); staff noted the figure depends on hiring, pay changes and participation assumptions.
Why it matters: Commissioners and public-safety unions told the board improving benefits is important to recruitment and retention and to support personnel who suffer disabling injuries on the job. Union leaders said they are willing to discuss higher employee contributions to offset county costs. Several commissioners said they want a structured stakeholder work plan before the board commits funds in the budget.
What the study showed: Using plan data as of July 1, 2024, the actuary produced separate cost lines: (a) moving the multiplier to 2.3–2.5% raises the county’s actuarial contribution by several hundred thousand dollars annually; (b) raising disability benefits to 66 2/3% increases annual costs further; and (c) a five-year DROP with assumed 30% participation added roughly $1.7 million in the actuary’s example. Staff and the consultant emphasized results are sensitive to current staffing, future hires and salary changes.
Public comment and next steps: Ash Owens, president of the Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police, and Michael Karolanka, president of the Carroll County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association, urged the board to pursue enhancements and recommended a collaborative work group to finalize benefit design and employee-contribution tradeoffs. Commissioners asked staff to produce a work plan that lays out: stakeholder engagement (county staff, affected unions, actuary), timing for budget inclusion, options for employee contribution changes, and legal/administrative steps needed to implement changes. The board asked staff to return with that plan before making budgetary commitments.
