Carroll County commissioners approve multiple FY26 purchases, grants and contracts

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a series of procurement items, grant applications and contract awards during its Sept. 18 open meeting in Westminster, officials said.

The board voted to authorize spending included in the FY26 budget and to accept related grants, from IT hardware and ambulance purchases to stormwater and airport work. Most approvals were voice votes; the minutes record motions, seconds and “Aye” responses but do not include roll-call tallies.

Office of Procurement staff Allison described the largest single procurement: “The Office of Procurement in cooperation with the Department of Technology Services request signing authority approval to spend up to but not exceed $500,000 with Dell Computer Corporation for replacement computer equipment and accessories,” she said, noting the purchase will be made through an Omnia Partners contract and is within the FY26 adopted budget.

Other approvals included: - Purchase authority and budgeted spending up to $500,000 with Dell Computer Corporation for replacement computers and accessories (procurement staff). - Authorization to submit and accept a Maryland grant for cardiac devices (two LifePak 35 monitors) with a total project cost of $141,324 and a county match request of $24,324.90 (Fire & EMS); the application was approved for submission and acceptance. - Acceptance of a state-mandated National EMS information system implementation and annual services contract (ESO Solutions) for $47,321 to meet NIRS/NEMSIS requirements for electronic patient care records (Fire & EMS). - Purchase of three new Ford-based Ultra Medic ambulances from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for $1,263,996 (Fire & EMS); the county expects delivery in about two years. - Fleet replacements: nine 2026 Ford Explorers for sheriff patrol ($416,070); four 2026 Ford F-450 trucks for parks and roads ($542,324); and a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox for utilities ($29,602). Existing units will be auctioned as described in staff remarks. - Purchase of three control-room consoles for the Carroll County Detention Center (SHI) for $54,689.80, part of an ongoing control-system renovation. - Award of a $291,970 contract to replace and relocate the automated weather observation station (AWOS) at Carroll County Regional Airport (Glenelg Construction), with 95% of the project funded through IIJA/FAA grant sources and a small local match. - Payment to the City of Westminster of $88,640.42 for benefit assessments and a water meter for the Office of the State's Attorney project (Building Construction reviewed and confirmed fee calculations against the city code). - Stormwater and culvert repairs: approval of Shotcrete lining at Harney Road ($44,990.50) and two related Enterprise Street projects (ProShot Concrete, $100,600; and a follow-up increase to Pleasants Construction totaling $133,560.08 more than the original contract). Staff said the approach saved the county money compared with alternate liner methods.

Commissioners and department staff who presented the items emphasized that the purchases and awards were within the FY26 budget and tied to ongoing capital or operational needs. Several presenters noted federal, state or cooperative contract vehicles were used (Omnia Partners, Sourcewell, Baltimore County cooperative contracts). No items were tabled or rejected.

Public comment at the meeting included one caller from the Carroll County Republican Central Committee who addressed local civic activity and upcoming party events; that comment was not related to any of the votes.

The board completed the requested approvals by voice vote and moved on to other agenda items.