Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - August 26, 2025

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding with an executive session at approximately 12:45 p.m. The meeting included opening ceremonies, appointments, consent agenda, new business, old business, three presentations, a work session, public comment (none), and commissioner reports. Key actions included approval of board appointments, a year-end budget amendment for Calvert County Public Schools, adoption of the Hallowing Point Park Master Plan update, authorization to advertise a public hearing for the town center master plan updates, and authorization to de-obligate state broadband grant funds.

Consent Calendar

• Department of Parks & Recreation: Fiscal Year 2025 Calvert County Youth Recreational Opportunities Fund Annual Report – Approved.
• Department of Public Safety: Approval of Reoccurring Lease Agreement Contract for Stryker LifePak Cardiac Monitors – Approved.

Appointments

• Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board – Appointed Nathan Novotny as an alternate member (approved unanimously).
• Commission on Aging – Reappointed Christine Flattery, Terry Long, Ann Weems, and Harriet Yay; appointed Julia Hines Williams (approved unanimously). Four vacancies remain.
• Calvert County Commission for Women – Appointed Oxana Parsons and Sarah Shields (approved unanimously). Three vacancies remain.
• Calvert County Marine Museum Board of Governors – Appointed James Carr (approved unanimously). Two vacancies remain.
• Calvert County Environmental Commission – Reappointed Michael Rooney (approved unanimously). Three vacancies remain.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made, either in person or online.

Presentations

1. Commission for Veterans and Military Families Annual Update

• Dr. Brandon Temple, Chair, and Ed Sullivan presented an update on the commission's fourth year. Key achievements included:
  • 23 of 24 eligible Calvert County schools achieved Purple Star School designation, representing about 35% of all Purple Star schools in Maryland.
  • The "Serving Together" program at Southern Pines Senior Center has served 89 veterans since its inception, offering benefits navigation and resource connection.
  • 11 Certificates of Appreciation have been awarded to businesses supporting veterans and military families.
  • A military family guide was created and distributed to PAX River and Andrews Air Force Base.
  • The commission's newsletter subscribers increased by 67% in the past year.
• Dr. Temple announced his retirement from the commission (effective September 1) and relocation to Missouri. He recommended revisiting property tax credits for disabled veterans, starting with a 50% credit for those with 50-99% service-connected disability (already 100% disabled are covered by state law). No action was taken on the recommendation.
• The board thanked Dr. Temple for his service.

2. Comcast Buildout Update

• Ashley Staples-Reed, Special Projects Program Manager, reported that of the 735 addresses in phases 1-3 plus the Difficult to Serve Properties (DSP) grant, only 92 remain. The DSP state grant originally $1.1 million was reduced to $47,000 due to restrictive federal eligibility criteria, allowing only 22 homes. Staff requested authorization to conduct a public hearing to de-obligate only the state's portion ($1.1 million) and retain the county match ($526,407.87) to complete the project.
• Action: The board voted unanimously to authorize a public hearing to de-obligate only the state portion and execute the corresponding grant amendment. Completion is anticipated by end of 2025.

3. Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee Progress Update

• Pastor Dana Jones (Chair) and Leslie Irvin (Vice Chair) presented progress since the committee's formation in May 2024. Key findings:
  • 10 meetings and 3 public input sessions held; no public appeared to speak.
  • Five subcommittees formed: Safe and Supportive Environment; Support for CCPS Staff; Empowering Positive Student Behavior; Modern Facilities and Resources; Family and Community Engagement.
  • Data gathered from multiple agencies: CCPS mid-year data, Calvert Family Network, health department, law enforcement, state's attorney, and local care team. A community survey was launched in July, with bullying, vaping, mental health support, and safety training as top themes.
  • 63% of students surveyed reported being bullied (from student survey data).
  • Only 40% of school psychologist positions are filled (nationwide shortage).
  • Low parent/guardian involvement is a major barrier; committee noted the need for consistency in code of conduct enforcement across schools.
  • The committee plans to deliver a final report with recommendations by end of 2025. A joint meeting with the Board of Education is anticipated.
• Commissioners expressed strong support and gratitude for the committee’s work.

Discussion Items

New Business: FY2025 Year-End Budget Amendment for Calvert County Public Schools

• Scott Johnson, CCPS CFO, presented the amendment. Key points:
  • Revenue changes: Local revenue increased due to higher interest earnings; state revenue decreased due to underspending of workforce development funds; federal revenue decreased slightly (NJROTC programs).
  • Expenditure reductions totaled $6.725 million (2.4% of budget), driven by lower-than-expected salaries (due to uncertainty with the new career ladder), reduced health insurance and retirement costs, and use of ESSER funds for technology purchases.
  • The use of fund balance will be reduced from the originally budgeted $25 million to $17 million.
  • Discussion included questions about the career ladder, ESSER fund exhaustion (FY26 budget anticipates $0 ESSER), and staffing vacancies (especially psychologists and speech therapists).
• Action: The board voted unanimously to approve the FY2025 year-end budget amendment, including transfers for the unrestricted fund, restricted fund, food service fund, and school construction fund.

Old Business: Hallowing Point Park Master Plan Update

• Bob Branham, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Stephanie Sperling presented the update. The plan was developed from 2023-2025, incorporating public input (over 2,000 survey responses) and Planning Commission adoption recommendation. Proposed improvements over 15-20 years include:
  • Synthetic turf fields (one multi-purpose, one baseball) and natural fields with improved infields.
  • Paved walking trails with lighting (ADA accessible) and natural surface trails.
  • Skate park, upgraded signage, and stormwater management.
  • Cost estimates are in the plan, with no current funding commitment; projects will be phased through CIP as funding becomes available.
• Action: The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance enacting the Hallowing Point Park Master Plan update.

Work Session: Updates to Master Plan Chapters on Town Centers and Prince Frederick Town Center

• Jason Brinkley (Director), Tamara Blake Wallace (Deputy), and Tay Harris (Long-range Planner) presented the July 2025 draft of Master Plan chapters. Key changes:
  • Residential density in Prince Frederick Town Center reduced from 14 units per acre to 4 units per acre.
  • Five subdistricts reduced to three; forest area changed to overlay district.
  • New boundaries proposed to include Calvert Health campus, employment centers, and some subdivisions.
  • Failing intersections identified: MD24/Stokely Road, MD24/Dares Beach Road/Commerce Lane, and Church Street/Main Street.
  • Emphasis on adequate public facilities standards and intersection level of service to manage growth.
  • Housing data: 46% homeownership, 38% assisted housing, median home value $383,000.
  • Discussion highlighted that many approved residential units (900-1,000+) were in the pipeline from prior years (pre-2020) and cannot be subject to new density limits. Commissioners expressed concerns about transportation impacts and unrealistic road plans (e.g., Prince Frederick Boulevard extension through wetlands). Staff noted the potential for a future Main Street designation.
• Action: The board voted unanimously to authorize staff to advertise a public hearing (tentatively September 30) for the draft chapters, incorporating the revisions discussed.

Key Outcomes

• All five board appointments approved unanimously.
• Consent calendar items approved unanimously.
• FY2025 year-end budget amendment for Calvert County Public Schools approved unanimously.
• Hallowing Point Park Master Plan update adopted unanimously.
• Authorization granted to schedule a public hearing to de-obligate state broadband grant funds (only state portion) and execute grant amendment; county match funds retained.
• Authorization granted to advertise a public hearing for Master Plan Chapters 1 and 2 (Town Centers and Prince Frederick Town Center) with revisions incorporated.
• No public comments were made.
• Executive session held (closed to public) to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:05 p.m.