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Carroll County Fiscal Court approves ordinances, funds festival and confirms library appointment
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Carroll County Fiscal Court adopted a solar setback ordinance and animal-shelter policies, approved $10,000 for the Tobacco Festival and confirmed Chris White to the library board; it also directed staff to review two high-value siren bids.
Carroll County Fiscal Court members met May 26 and approved a slate of routine and policy items, including the adoption of a solar-regulation ordinance and new animal shelter policies, the allocation of $10,000 to the Tobacco Festival and the appointment of Chris White to the county library board.
The court unanimously adopted a second-reading solar ordinance that keeps a 2,000-foot setback for large solar installations, County Government Services staff Matt Dusing said the setback was "kept at 2000' as most counties." County Attorney Nick Marsh read the ordinance by summary before the motion to adopt passed 4–0.
Why it matters: the solar ordinance establishes local siting rules that affect where large-scale solar projects may be built in Carroll County; county leaders said the setback aligns local policy with neighboring counties.
The court also adopted an ordinance formalizing animal shelter policies after a second reading. Both ordinances were adopted on unanimous 4–0 votes.
Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (May 12, 2026): Motion by Magistrate Benjie Long; seconded by Magistrate Scott Nab. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Approve amended minutes (April 28, 2026): Motion by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Clay Cable. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Budget transfers: Motion by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Clay Cable. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Invoice approvals: Motion by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Clay Cable. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Adopt resolution acknowledging Carroll County road system list: Motion by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Benjie Long. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Adopt Solar Regulations ordinance (2nd reading): Motion to adopt by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Benjie Long. Outcome: adopted, 4–0. - Adopt Animal Shelter Policies ordinance (2nd reading): Motion to adopt by Magistrate Clay Cable; seconded by Magistrate Benjie Long. Outcome: adopted, 4–0. - Fund Tobacco Festival: Motion by Magistrate Benjie Long for $10,000; seconded by Magistrate Scott Nab. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Jefferson Foundation request ($5,000 for JCTC programs): Motion by Magistrate Clay Cable; seconded by Magistrate Scott Nab. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Accept library board appointment (Chris White, term begins July 1, 2026): Motion by Magistrate Clay Cable; seconded by Magistrate Scott Nab. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Hire Attorney Steven Bates for Ethics Committee: Motion by Magistrate Scott Nab; seconded by Magistrate Clay Cable. Outcome: approved, 4–0. - Search for at-large alternate for Ethics Committee: Motion by Magistrate Clay Cable; seconded by Magistrate Scott Nab. Outcome: approved, 4–0.
The court also heard department reports and several operational updates. Judge Executive David Wilhoite emphasized that any county employee work for the Tobacco Festival would be performed on their own time; Wilhoite said PJ Knight, the Solid Waste Coordinator and festival committee chair, "agreed to this." The meeting concluded with routine remarks from magistrates and a 4–0 vote to adjourn.
Next steps: staff were directed to bring recommendations on the weather-siren bids at the next meeting; the county also plans further work on personnel policy with a proposed work session before the next session.
