Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - June 17, 2025
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - June 17, 2025
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. The agenda included an invocation, approval of the agenda, recognition of correctional academy graduates, a Board of Health presentation on cannabis use and youth mental health, a consent calendar, new business on transitional housing, a work session on ethics code updates, public comment, and commissioners' reports. The meeting recessed into executive session at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved six consent items without objection: Department of Economic Development grant applications for Maryland Business Ready Site Characterization; Department of Planning & Zoning grant application for Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Seed Grant (Heritage Waypoints); Department of Public Safety Memorandum of Agreement with MedStar Health; Department of Public Works budget amendment for Calvert Advanced Life Support; approval of the Calvert Marine Museum Board of Governors Fiscal Year 2026 budget; and the Magistrate's Office Fiscal Year 2026 Child Support Program agreements and leases.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Quaid (PFLAG Southern Maryland representative) thanked the board for acknowledging Pride Month, highlighted local allies (library, schools, health systems, parks, faith communities), and noted that familial trauma and unacceptance are major issues for LGBTQ youth. He invited commissioners to a future event and expressed hope for a proclamation next year.
- Lily Crunkleton (individual, queer woman) praised progress in Calvert County but acknowledged past violence and ongoing transphobia, expressing queer joy and gratitude.
- Danielle (veteran, mother) expressed deep concern over the Board of Education's decision to remove anti-racism language from policies without transparency, warning of reputational damage and economic decline.
- Stacy Taman (individual) assured Commissioner Hart that all school staff (educators, cafeteria workers, social workers, etc.) are trained in mental health recognition. She warned that proposed Board of Education policies could escalate the mental health crisis and urged continued inclusion.
- Unnamed speaker (representative of Pride SOMD) announced the eighth annual Pride event on October 12, 2025, with theme “Existence is Resistance.” He shared data from the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs: 80% of respondents increased concerns over LGBTQ rights, 78% over hate bias incidents, 60% feel less safe. He also reported that Calvert ranks 11th in bullying incidents per 1,000 students and Southern Maryland is the second-highest region for LGBTQ-related bullying.
- Stephanie Jones (resident, LGBTQ member) connected the mental health discussion to the board's 50% budget control over schools, urging commissioners to direct the Board of Education to restore safe space stickers and inclusive policies.
- Nancy Krause (individual, retired nurse) encouraged kindness, criticized the Board of Education’s conduct during public comment as disrespectful.
Discussion Items
Board of Health Presentation (10:20 a.m.)
- Cannabis Use and Safety: Dr. Moore presented an overview of Maryland's cannabis laws, use trends, and public safety implications. Key data: 15.6% of Calvert County high school students reported cannabis use in 2023, higher than the state average of 14.4%. Teens primarily obtained cannabis from friends (42%), and nearly one-fifth from unregulated sources. Among adults, ages 18-20 had the highest use. Fatal traffic crashes attributed to drug impairment were ten times lower than alcohol-related crashes. Cannabis-related poison control calls for youth under 20 increased from 2018 to 2024, especially for ages 13-19 and 0-5 (accidental ingestions). Hospitalizations for cannabis-related issues trended down except for the 0-12 age group. Commissioners questioned enforcement mechanisms (mystery shopper programs, roadside testing) and requested a future presentation from the Sheriff’s Office on Drug Recognition Experts (DREs).
- Youth Depression and Mental Health: Dr. Moore discussed post-COVID increases in depression and suicide ideation among youth. She proposed a three-tier school-based prevention program (tier 1: universal education; tier 2: at-risk students; tier 3: active illness). Commissioners emphasized the need for proper identification and resources, noting that teachers are not mental health professionals but can be key observers.
- Summer Safety: Reminders on Lyme disease (target rash) and rabies prevention.
- The board noted that the presentation series will continue on July 22, 2025.
New Business: Transitional Housing Site Plan (10:55 a.m.)
- Jennifer Moreland (Director of Community Resources) presented a request to apply for a FY2026 Strategic Demolition Fund grant (up to $300,000) to fund a revised site plan for six transitional housing units for domestic violence survivors. This is a pilot model in partnership with the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, C4, Hope Initiative, and the Calvert Safe Housing Network. No county financial obligation is required; funding will be grant-driven. The board unanimously authorized the application.
Work Session: Ethics Code Update (11:15 a.m.)
- Emily Shrieves (Constituent Services Specialist), Timothy Cox (Ethics Commission Chair), and Todd Pounds (Ethics Commission Attorney) presented a draft ordinance to comply with House Bill 834, which mandates public disclosure of the Ethics Commission's recommendation to expel a commissioner and authorizes the board to remove a commissioner for conflict of interest violations. The scope is narrowly tailored to specific conflict-of-interest provisions under Section 41-13 of the Calvert County Ethics Code. Citizens would first file a complaint with the Ethics Commission; if the commission recommends removal, the board may hold a contested-case hearing (mini-trial) requiring three votes to proceed. The board voted to advertise a public hearing on July 15, 2025, for public comment on the proposed changes.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved unanimously with no objections.
- Transitional Housing Grant Application authorized unanimously.
- Ethics Code Public Hearing set for July 15, 2025, by unanimous vote.
- The board acknowledged the retirements of County Administrator Mark Willis (24 years of service, retiring at the end of June) and other long-time staff. Commissioners shared personal tributes.
- The board recessed into executive session at approximately 11:45 a.m. to discuss personnel matters pursuant to General Provisions Article Section 3-305(b)(1)(i).
Meeting Transcript
County Board of Commissioners at this time I'd like to ask Pastor Laird if he would come forward and give us an invitation, please. Thank you. And I have to say just a bit of humor. Katie, I had never met her before and called me. And she said I was the 50th pastor she'd called. So you know so you know how the adage goes, she called 50 good pastors who couldn't find it, so then she called me. What she didn't tell you is they have been here before, so they knew they're like uh-uh. But uh thank God for her persistence, and I'm really glad I could come. Lord God, we thank you for our nation for uh our states or our counties, our law enforcement. So many things, and just as the psalmist has said, and David said in Psalm 103, and bless the Lord. Oh my god, and forget not all of his benefits. And we have so many just coming over the bridge this morning. I thought of the beautiful water, the bridge, the clean highways, and yes, law enforcement. Um and we thank you for these who've gathered. Thank you for the kindness that we experience daily and the the grace and and the people of these uh two good counties. And I thank you also, Lord, for the the fact that you promised that you satisfy us with satisfy satisfies with so many good things, and we ask you to forgive us for the times that we've taken things for granted uh for the the freedoms we have in America. The psalmist also said that blessed is a nation who fears God, and we uh confess to you that many perhaps have forgotten you and have lost that fear of you, that due respect that we owe to you. We pray there'd be a great resurgence of people who love God and country. And we thank you, Lord, for the church. We thank you for the Bible, and we thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that you give wisdom today to those who serve us, give them grace and humility. May their comportment be that which is pleasing to you, and we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. So I was told I could say something about the church before we do that, and I'll sit down. Uh we have two campuses. One are the where the two big tents are. Uh there on as you go on Highway North, and then our campus is on uh the St. Mary's side. Thank you so much for inviting me. And she for which is under God. And Pastor Laird, I was gonna issue because I wasn't familiar with where your church was, but I everyone knows where the two tents are. Two tents are right, and I'm not the pastor there. Uh matter of fact, our lead pastor, his name is Larry Crabtree, and he works with law enforcement, one of the chaplains for many, many years here. So if you don't have a good church home, we'd invite you to come. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you for coming and joining us today. We appreciate it. So the next item on the agenda is approved the agenda. Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda as presented? None. I don't believe so. I move that we approve and adopt the agenda submitted. Second. I have a motion and second to approve the agenda as submitted. Any discussion on that motion hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye opposed, motion carries. So I do have some public service announcements today, and unfortunately, we have uh we lost uh Mr.
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