Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Prince Frederick. The meeting included proclamations, approval of a consent agenda, a public hearing on a strategic demolition fund grant, a presentation on the 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment, work sessions on debt/capital planning and a proposed moratorium on data center projects, and public comment. Key votes included approval of budget adjustments for driving range safety netting, a motion to remove data centers from I-1 zoning districts, and a motion to study fiscal mechanisms for dedicating data center revenue. A motion for a 24-month moratorium on data center projects failed.
Proclamations
- Autism Awareness Month (April 2026): The board recognized April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month, with remarks from Christine Fenimore (county employee and parent), Ashton Felton (chair of the Special Education Citizen Advisory Committee), and Joy Weir (Therapeutic Recreation). The proclamation highlighted that autism affects 1 in 31 children nationally and emphasized local resources and support.
- National Public Health Week (April 6-12, 2026): The board recognized National Public Health Week, with a presentation from Dr. Ninfatineza Mora (Health Officer) and staff of the Calvert County Health Department, who outlined public health services including behavioral health, environmental health, disease surveillance, and maternal/child health. The proclamation noted the theme "Ready, Set, Action."
Consent Calendar
- The board unanimously approved the following consent agenda items:
- Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Application for Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program and Letter of Support.
- Department of Community Resources: Fiscal Year 2027-2030 Area Plan.
- Department of Planning & Zoning: Calvert County Environmental Commission Annual Report for 2025.
- Department of Community Resources: Maryland Access Point Federal Financial Participation Agreement for State Fiscal Years 2025-2030.
- Office of the County Administrator: Home Stretch Difficult to Serve Agreement First Amendment with Comcast.
- Office of the County Administrator: Ratification of State Program Open Space Application Acquisition of Property at 215 Lore Road, Solomons, Maryland.
- Calvert County Sheriff's Office: Fiscal Year 2027 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
- Calvert County Sheriff's Office: Fiscal Year 2027 Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program.
Public Hearing
- Strategic Demolition Fund Grant (BA2026-000779): The board held a public hearing on a budget adjustment allocating $300,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for site development at the Safe Harbor domestic violence shelter to support transitional housing. No public comments were received. The board voted to leave the record open for 10 days per local government article 9-105.
Old Business
- Driving Range Safety Netting (BA2026-000730 and BA2026-000732): The board approved budget amendments to install safety netting at Chesapeake Hills Golf Course, with $150,000 from capital project 000446 and $240,000 from the operating budget. The public comment period had ended on March 17, 2026, and two comments were received. The motion to close the record and adopt the amendments passed unanimously.
Presentation
- Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) 2026: Dr. Ninfatineza Mora (Health Officer) and Dr. Cara Hare (Calvert Health Medical Center) presented the 2026 CHNA cycle building on 2023 findings (top priorities: cancer, diabetes, mental health, nutrition, substance use). Key data collection includes key informant interviews (16 planned), a community survey from April 6-27, and two focus groups on April 16. The survey emphasizes social determinants of health and barriers to care. The platform HealthyCalvert.org will serve as a data hub.
Discussion Items
- Debt Overview and Capital Planning Considerations: Danielle Russell (Capital Improvement Projects and Grants Manager) presented an overview of the county’s debt policies, including a debt service limit of 9.5% of revenue and a debt-to-assessed-value cap of 1.8%. The county maintains a triple-A credit rating with a fund balance of $145 million (37% of revenue). Additional capital requests include a new St. Leonard fire station, turf fields at high schools, and other projects. Discussion focused on financial capacity, with Commissioner Hart questioning the 35% fund balance threshold set by Moody’s and advocating for a longer amortization schedule. The board voted to consult with a financial advisor before proceeding with capital planning decisions.
- Proposed Moratorium on Data Center Projects: Jason Brinkley (Planning & Zoning Director) presented options for a temporary moratorium on data center development. Commissioner Hart moved for an immediate 24-month moratorium pending an independent environmental impact study. After debate, the motion failed 3-2 (Commissioners Hart and Grasso in favor; Commissioners Hance, Cox, Ireland opposed). Commissioner Cox then moved to direct staff to remove data centers as an allowed use in I-1 (light industrial mixed-use) districts via a text amendment, which passed 3-0-2 (Commissioners Hance, Cox, Ireland in favor; Commissioners Hart and Grasso abstained). Commissioner Cox also moved for a feasibility study on dedicating data center tax revenue to property tax relief, fiscal sustainability, educational investment, and community mitigation; that motion passed with one opposed and one abstention. The board agreed to incorporate additional conditions (noise, environment) into the ongoing text amendment process.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple residents spoke against data center projects, citing health risks (low-frequency noise, electromagnetic fields), environmental impacts (water use, heat islands), increased electricity costs, loss of rural character, and lack of transparency. Speakers included representatives from Calvert Citizens United, neighbors of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and community organizations. Several speakers urged a moratorium or putting the issue on a ballot. One speaker expressed support for data centers, arguing they would boost revenue and limit residential growth. A few speakers addressed turf fields for high school athletics, with some advocating for county-funded fields and others cautioning against diverting funds from core educational needs.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Strategic Demolition Fund grant record left open for 10 days.
- Driving range safety netting budget amendments approved.
- Data center moratorium motion failed (3-2).
- Data center I-1 zoning removal motion passed (3-0-2).
- Data center revenue study motion passed (3-1-1).
- Staff directed to consult with financial advisor on capital planning.
- Staff directed to continue text amendment process for data center conditions, including requiring independent environmental studies, addressing noise and environmental impacts.
- Board recessed to executive session at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you for taking the time to come out this morning. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Takes us to the approval of our agenda. Mr. President, I move that we approve and adopt the agenda as submitted. Second. So have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda and discussion on that. Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. Public service announcements for today. We do not have an animal of the week. However, um the adoption process for I guess the animal that was here what two weeks ago is still open. Um the uh spay neuter program is still in effect. And in fact, we're gonna actually talk about that today in a grant that we got on that. Um find some bunny to love during the Easter themed adoption event at the Lindell Kelly Animal Shelter still going on. Adopters can choose an egg to reveal surprise about or surprise discount on any adoption fee as well. The adoption promotion runs through Wednesday, April 8th. The shelter is open for adoptions Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 4. The schedule and appointment, you can call 4105357. Public Works Hazardous Waste Collection Event, uh, Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division will host a free household hazardous waste collection event for county residents on Saturday, April 11th. The event will be held from 8 to 2, rain or sign at the Mount Hope Convenience Center located at 96 Push Off Station Road in Sunderland. Acceptable waste items include auto and floor care products, pesticides, gasoline, fertilizers, and more. Proof of residency is required. There is no limit on the amount of material residents may bring to the event. Businesses are prohibited from participating. For a full list of accepted items, you can visit www.calvert county md.gov hazardous waste or call the solid waste division at 410-326010. That takes us to our first proclamation. Uh, which is on autism awareness month, and Commissioner Cox will be administering the proclamation this morning. Good morning. How are you? Good morning, commissioners. Uh my name is Christine Fenimore. I'm a county employee. I'm also a mom of an adult with autism. He is in class. This is the first year he can't be here. It's a little strange. This is the 14th year of recognition in our community, and we truly appreciate your continued support. Autism, spectrum disorders or autism, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It's important to understand autism as a spectrum. It looks different for every individual. It's often accompanied by other fun challenges like sensory issues, gastrointestinal issues, seizures, sleep disorders, mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties, to name a few. According to the Center with for disease control and prevention, autism affects approximately one in 31 children in the U.S. today. Diagnosis is complex.
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