Caroline commissioners introduce pay‑review commission bill and advance solar/battery zoning changes; move to seek higher farmland preservation contribution

Caroline County commissioners introduced two legislative bills on Sept. 9: one to create a county Compensation Review Commission and another to revise the county's zoning rules for solar facilities and battery energy storage devices following state law changes.

The board voted to introduce legislative bill 2025‑009, which would establish a Compensation Review Commission to study and recommend salaries and allowances for county commissioners. County staff said the current compensation provision has not been revised since 2009 and that the commission would follow a process described in the Maryland Local Government Article (section 10‑302). The bill timeline presented by staff called for public notice and a public hearing the week of Sept. 16 with a potential third reading and final action the week of Sept. 23; the ordinance would take effect Nov. 8 if adopted. The motion to introduce 2025‑009 carried on a voice vote.

Solar and battery storage zoning

County staff also presented a comprehensive draft zoning amendment (legislative bill 2025‑010) prepared to align Caroline County's ordinances with the state's Renewable Energy Certainty Act and related statutory requirements for energy storage devices. The draft implements several mandatory state provisions and retains local rules for smaller projects that the state did not preempt.

Staff highlighted these elements: - Projects larger than the state threshold are…