The Carroll County Commission approved proceeding with a contractor proposal of $197,000 to construct a sheriff’s department impound lot at an alternate site between the county annex and the Department of Public Works.

County staff said the delegation previously appropriated $215,000 in the supplemental budget for the project; initial plans behind the Administration Building raised concerns about extensive site work, wetlands permitting and potential effects on a small cemetery. The county engineering firm (GMI) evaluated alternatives and proposed a flatter site between the annex and DPW with fewer site constraints. Staff presented a contractor proposal of $197,000 that includes the pad, fencing, driveway and lighting.

Commissioners reviewed the proposal, discussed timing to encumber funds before year-end and the need to get paving contractors queued up for spring work. A motion to approve proceeding with the $197,000 proposal passed on a voice vote. Staff said the money has already been appropriated by the delegation and asked commissioners to authorize moving forward to encumber the funds and schedule construction.

Commissioners asked staff to confirm whether existing buildings could be repurposed and noted alternatives had been considered; staff said existing buildings were not feasible because of height and door constraints.