Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pensions And Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carroll County adopts public safety pension changes: multiplier raised to 2.5% and disability benefit increased
Summary
After a public hearing and comments from first-responder representatives, commissioners adopted amendments to the county's public safety pension plan that raise the benefit multiplier to 2.5%, increase participant contributions, and set the line-of-duty disability benefit at two-thirds of salary.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners adopted amendments to Chapter 35 (Pensions and Retirement) for the county's public safety pension plan following a public hearing June 26.
Key changes approved include: an increase in the benefit multiplier to 2.5% effective July 1, 2025; an employee contribution increase from 8% to 9% for the same effective date; and an adjustment to line-of-duty disability benefits that sets the benefit at 66 2/3 percent of salary for qualifying cases. The board closed the public hearing and approved the amendments by voice vote.
Why it matters: county officials and public-safety groups told commissioners the changes are aimed at improving recruitment and retention of firefighters, deputies and EMS personnel and aligning benefits with industry norms. The sheriff and representatives of the Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police and the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association addressed the board in support of the amendments; several described traumatic incidents and the financial consequences of catastrophic line-of-duty injuries.
Public comment highlights: Michael Karolenko, president of the Carroll County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association, praised the amendment package as a "major piece in the puzzle" for supporting public safety recruitment and retention. Sheriff DeWeese described the 2016 crash that ended Corporal Brent Webb's patrol career and urged approval so that deputies who suffer catastrophic injuries receive industry-standard benefits. Ash Owens, president of the Carroll County FOP, thanked county staff and commissioners and asked for a favorable vote.
Board action and next steps: Commissioners voted to adopt the amendments; staff were directed to finalize plan documents, update employee plan summaries and begin implementation steps, including updated valuation and pension statements for employees. The amendments incorporate guidance from the county's pension attorney and an actuarial review; the county will begin administrative updates to reflect the new multiplier, contribution rate and disability language effective July 1, 2025.
Implementation notes: HR indicated the change also affects purchase-of-service rules for transferred and military service credits and that the plan document removes prior, now-obsolete transfer language in line with state law guidance. HR and the pension attorney will complete edits to the official plan and the member-facing summary; the county also expects to begin discussion of a DROP (deferred retirement option plan) for sheriff's office personnel in the coming months.
