Carroll County commissioners approve grant awards, contracts and purchases; set CDBG and renewable-energy hearings

Carroll County Commissioners on Sept. 4 approved multiple grants, contracts and purchases during their open session and set public hearings on several community-development and energy-related items.

Key votes included acceptance of a federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant to fund a domestic-violence prosecutor position, authorization to schedule a public hearing and develop an FY26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for Springboard Community Services’ senior-apartment renovations, and approval of dozens of procurement contracts and capital equipment purchases across county departments.

The state's attorney described the VAWA grant as a $117,000 award that primarily funds the domestic-violence prosecutor position (county match component described in the meeting). The board approved submission and acceptance of the FY26 VAWA grant.

On housing and community development, the board directed staff to schedule a public hearing and to develop the FY26 CDBG application for Springboard Community Services’ proposed senior-apartment renovations at West End Place, noting the county’s non‑entitlement status for CDBG funding and the program’s 20‑year low/moderate-income use requirement.

Public-safety and emergency-services items approved included an additional FFY 2024 State Homeland Security grant allocation of $4,787.17; purchase of fixed license-plate-reader hardware ($32,770) to expand LPR capability; approval to buy hospital-grade transport ventilators ($47,700); and approval to outfit three new ambulances with medical equipment ($600,804.45).

Facilities and infrastructure approvals included replacement of two aging cooling towers ($400,545), replacement of fire-alarm systems in the county office building and the Carroll County Humane Society (about $202,630 and $30,684 respectively), replacement membranes for the Freedom District water-treatment plant ($1,419,700), a 2025 hot-mix asphalt paving contract (approx. $5,748,616) and multiple other routine procurements. The board also approved moving services for the new Board of Elections warehouse and office ($25,274.50) and renewal of several technology and software maintenance contracts.

On renewable-energy policy, staff briefed the board on the State Renewable Energy Certainty Act (Senate Bill 931 / House Bill 1036) and proposed county code updates to conform to state law; commissioners directed staff to schedule a public hearing on those proposed zoning changes for solar and battery-energy storage devices to allow public comment before adoption.

Votes at a glance

- FY26 VAWA grant submission and acceptance — Approved (motion; outcome: board approved) - FY26 CDBG: schedule public hearing and develop application for Springboard Community Services — Approved (motion; outcome: board approved) - Employment Campus ordinance amendments (Ordinance 158.081) — Adopted 3–1 (see separate article) - Additional FFY24 State Homeland Security allocation ($4,787.17) — Approved - Purchase: fixed LPR hardware, Leonardo US Cyber & Security Solutions — $32,770 — Approved - Purchase: VM-2000 emergency and transport ventilator package, Boundary Medical — $47,700 — Approved - Purchase: equipment to outfit three ambulances, Stryker Medical — $600,804.45 — Approved - Award: replacement membranes, Freedom District Water Treatment Plant (Zenon/Xenon Environmental) — $1,419,700 — Approved - Award: 2025 hot mix asphalt paving (Grana Sun Inc.) — $5,748,616 — Approved - Contract awards/renewals for cooling towers, fire-alarm systems, EIFS repairs, technology maintenance and others — Approved as presented - Renewable Energy Zoning (state law conformity) — Staff directed to schedule public hearing to solicit public comment

Ending: Staff said they will publish public-hearing notices and post details for each approved contract and grant. Several commissioners emphasized outreach for larger infrastructure and zoning items so residents have opportunities to comment during the posted public hearings.