Regular Meeting of Calvert County Board of Commissioners - May 12, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on May 12, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included proclamations honoring Emergency Medical Services Week, Asian American Native Hawaiian Indian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and National Safe Boating Week; a work session on the Fiscal Year 2027 recommended budget; public comment; commissioner reports; and a motion on a data center moratorium that failed.

Opening & Proclamations

• The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Rick Hancock of Emmanuel Church in Huntingtown, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda.
• Emergency Medical Services Week (May 17-23, 2026): Proclamation read by Commissioner Hance. Chief Jim Richardson noted that in 2025, EMS personnel responded to nearly 10,000 incidents requiring EMS services, accounting for 85% of emergency calls. A citation was awarded to first responders who performed successful CPR on a firefighter during a call on August 18, 2025. Many volunteer and career EMS leaders introduced themselves.
• Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Indian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2026): Proclamation read by Commissioner Grasso. Dr. Ruby Alonso and other community representatives spoke about their contributions. Commissioner Hart shared a personal story about care provided by Dr. Mehta. Calvert Library announced a celebration on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22, 2026): Proclamation read by Commissioner Hart. Connie and Harry Scott from Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 23-6 spoke about safe boating and that more than 85% of drownings occur when victims are not wearing a life jacket.

Work Session: Fiscal Year 2027 Commissioners' Recommended Budget

CFO Malena Brookshire and Deputy Director Mary Andes presented the FY2027 recommended budget. Key points:

• The budget framework includes general fund, enterprise funds (water/sewer, solid waste), special revenue funds, grants, and the capital improvement plan.
• General fund transfers total approximately $37 million, with $12 million as a pay-go contribution to capital projects.
• Water and sewer rates remain flat. Solid waste receives a small general fund contribution for post-closure costs.
• Special revenue funds: Tourism incentive fund, land preservation fund (34% of recordation tax), new AMIS grant fund for volunteer fire departments, Calvert Marine Museum ($5.4 million planned general fund contribution), Library, Community Resources (opioid/cannabis, Office on Aging), Parks and Recreation (planned general fund contribution reduced by $213,000), Grants (general fund match increased over $900,000), and Capital Improvement Plan (total FY27 capital program about $89.9 million over six years; education projects 32%, enterprise 17%, public safety 15%).
• Commissioners praised the transparency and readability of the budget. The public hearing was scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening, with the record open until May 29. Budget adoption vote set for June 9.

Public Comments & Testimony

Numerous speakers addressed the board, primarily concerning proposed data centers and budget issues.

• Bob Harvey (State's Attorney): Thanked commissioners for supporting public safety, including additional school resource officers and funding for the State's Attorney's Office. Expressed appreciation for a new child advocacy center space.
• Joe Cormier (individual): Criticized commissioners for lack of support for Calvert County Public Schools staff and called for better compensation and transparency.
• Patty Stuckler (candidate for commissioner at large): Asked whether appraisals have been ordered for two properties related to proposed data centers (133-acre Norfolk Southern property and BGE ballfield in Lusby).
• Margaret Dow (Sunderland): Opposed data centers, urging citizens to call commissioners and highlighting lack of data privacy laws. Provided contact number: 410-535-1600 ext. 2214.
• Patrick Flaherty (candidate for District 1): Presented documents (NDA, consultancy agreements, etc.) dating back to 2024 regarding data center negotiations. Called for a motion to repeal related zoning amendments.
• Nancy Allwine (Camp Kanoy Road): Argued that Constellation's land rezoning to heavy industrial was done illegally without proper public notice, contrary to the comprehensive plan. Urged commissioners to reverse the zoning.
• Carl Allwine (Camp Kanoy Road community): Detailed the process failure, stating 726 forested acres were rezoned late in the comprehensive plan without due diligence. Asked for a motion to revert to forest and farming zoning.
• Andrea Smith (Chesapeake Beach): Stated that info sessions on data centers have not reached northern Calvert County. Called for another session in the north. Raised concerns about First Amendment rights regarding restrictions on signs.
• Jeff Dixon (individual): Opposed data centers, questioned why commissioners oppose a moratorium. Referred to noise from Dominion and argued for environmental impact studies and setbacks near schools.
• Sherry Burden (Marley Run HOA): Criticized water/sewer budget, stating that $158.6 million in capital costs over six years would burden ratepayers (about $34,475 per person). Questioned legality of zoning changes and the ENRA agreement signed without public knowledge.
• Megan Farringer (Lusby): Urged commissioners to do the right thing and remove data centers entirely, focusing on eco-tourism instead.
• Kathy Decker (Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development): Criticized county spending priorities, including a $35 million admin building and creation of a chief of staff position. Called for open and competitive hiring, an audit of county spending, and investment in natural assets like fishing tournaments instead of data centers.
• Joe Young (Owings): Appealed to commissioners to listen to residents, questioning their motives for pushing data centers.
• Dylan Johnson (Leonardtown): Called for transparency and invited commissioners and candidates to sit down for interviews to discuss issues.

Commissioners Reports

• Commissionr Grasso: Attended Business Appreciation Week visits, ribbon cutting at House of Grace, Day of Prayer, meet-and-greet, National Signing Day at CTA, Boots and Bling for hospice, and visited Appeal Landfill. Noted funeral of Wanda Hartley.
• Commissioner Hance: Visited businesses during Appreciation Week, attended Girl Scout Gold Award ceremonies, Grray Post recognition of long-time Legion members (including 101-year-old WWII vet), Boots and Bling fundraiser (raised $38,000), and mentioned the hospice pig fundraiser started by Commissioner Ireland's sons (over $150,000 total). Stated that text amendments address data center concerns, no application is currently active because fees unpaid, and that residents should trust the process.
• Commissioner Hart: Attended Correctional Officers Week luncheon. Proposed a motion for a public hearing to explore a minimum six-month moratorium on data centers, citing need for environmental commission report and time for proper regulation. Argued it would give the next board a clean slate.
• Commissioner Ireland (remote): Thanked staff for budget work, attended House of Grace ribbon cutting, business visits, congratulations to nephew graduating State Police Academy, and mentioned Boots and Bling.

Key Outcomes

• Motion for Data Center Moratorium: Commissioner Hart moved to initiate steps toward a public hearing on a moratorium (at least six months) to allow for review of environmental commission and planning commission reports. Seconded by Commissioner Hance. Discussion followed. The motion failed with a vote of 3-2 (Commissioners Cox, Grasso, and Ireland opposed; Hance and Hart in favor).
• Directive: Commissioner Cox requested the County Attorney to review the legality of the zoning process for Constellation's land by the next meeting.
• Budget Process: The public hearing on the FY2027 budget was held at 7 p.m. that evening. The record remains open until May 29, 2026. Adoption vote is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
• Next Work Session: A work session on the Capital Improvement Plan is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
• Public Service Announcements: A public hearing on the budget tonight; primary election drop boxes available until June 23; volunteers needed for KaBOOM! playground build on May 21; pet of the week Nyla available for adoption fee-free until next meeting.

Note: The meeting recessed at approximately 12:15 p.m. to reconvene at 7:00 p.m. for the public hearing on the budget.