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Carroll County moves proposed DROP plan for public safety pensions to public hearing after staff, sheriff weigh options
Summary
County staff presented a proposed deferred retirement option (DROP) for public safety employees and recommended a 3‑year irrevocable program with a 3% fixed interest on account balances; the sheriff and chiefs recommended a 5‑year option. The board authorized the proposal to go to public hearing for further comment and refinement.
County staff on Jan. 8 laid out a proposed deferred retirement option program intended to retain eligible public safety employees while giving predictable retirement dates and a lump‑sum benefit at retirement.
Christy (county retirement staff) said the DROP would allow eligible employees to have their calculated retirement benefit deposited in a separate account while they continue working for a fixed period. "The purpose of a DROP encourages retention of experienced staff nearing retirement, yet provides a predictable end date for retirement planning," Christy said.
Staff recommended the following key provisions: eligibility aligned with normal public safety retirement (25 years of service, or age 55 with 15 years), a recommended 3‑year irrevocable DROP participation period, cessation of employee contributions during DROP, a fixed 3% annual interest rate on the DROP account, and a 2% maximum COLA applied to pension dollars. Staff also proposed limits on participation (no more than 10 sheriff's department employees in calendar year 2026 and subsequent annual limits) and a penalty that would forfeit interest accrued if a participant resigns before completing the period (with exceptions for disability or death).
Sheriff Deweese and other public safety leaders urged consideration of a longer period and fewer penalties for participants. The sheriff said he would prefer a 5‑year DROP and noted many agencies, including state police and neighboring municipalities, use 5‑year or longer programs to retain staff. "I believe the 5 year drop is an appropriate amount of years with a 7 year evaluation," the sheriff said.
The board asked staff to include both options (the staff recommendation and the sheriff's proposal) in public materials and to solicit public comment. A motion to move the DROP proposal to a public hearing was made and approved.
Next steps: staff will prepare formal public‑hearing materials including both options and actuarial information, advertise the hearing per requirements, and return to the board with public input and cost estimates.
