Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on August 18, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included an invocation, approval of the agenda, public service announcements, appointments, an award presentation, a consent agenda, two public hearings (on the 2026 General Obligation Bond Sale and a six-month moratorium on data center projects), new business items, a work session on zoning text amendments, a transportation program update, public comment, commissioners' reports, and an executive session. Key outcomes included approval of the bond sale, adoption of the data center moratorium as amended, and direction to staff to begin a process to remove data centers as a permitted use.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included: Southern Calvert Land Trust tax credits for a conservation lot; Federal Fiscal Year 2026 State Homeland Security Grant Program application; County Road Dedication Policy; Fiscal Year 2027 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant Program; Budget Amendment for Calvert Library State Aid Increase; Lease and Operating Agreement for Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center; and Landowner Permission Letter for Maryland State Arts Council Public Art Grant.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bond Sale Hearing: Several residents spoke. Patrick Flattery (speaking as an individual) expressed support for long-term bonds for true capital projects but urged the board to table the bond sale to allow the incoming board to review the list of projects, particularly 28 items under $500,000 that he argued should not be funded through long-term borrowing. Timothy Brummet (individual) supported the bond sale, noting it would help fund the sewer program in Calvert Highlands, where over 70% of the neighborhood voted in favor. Ethan Cox (candidate for County Commission District 1, individual) emphasized the importance of maintaining the triple-A bond rating and criticized what he called a fiscal flip-flop by Commissioner Hance. Sherry Verdon (speaking for a group of water/sewer consumers) raised detailed questions about the fiscal year 2024 water/sewer rate study, requesting an audit of budget unit 575 and reconciliation of figures she claimed appeared to reflect two phases of county bond refinancing.
• Data Center Moratorium Hearing: Over 30 individuals and group representatives spoke, nearly all in favor of a strong moratorium. Key points: Patrick Flattery (individual) argued the current draft was a "watered-down moratorium" and urged the board to adopt stronger language used in other Maryland counties. Danielle Pack (Vice President of Citizens for Calvert, group) expressed support for the moratorium but stressed the need to rebuild trust through transparency and independent studies on impacts to electricity, water, wastewater, roads, emergency services, environment, and air quality. Michael Block (individual) raised concerns about infrasound from data centers and urged a two-year moratorium to conduct baseline studies. William Goodwin (individual) emphasized the need for sufficient information before making decisions. Chuck Borges (federal data expert, individual) warned that AWS could submit another site plan after the moratorium ends and called for permanent protections. Sahara Watts (individual) urged protection of water, jobs, privacy, and environment. Pam Warner (Indivisible Calvert County, group) asked that the moratorium be amended to pause the acceptance, processing, and review of all site plans, not just approvals. Nancy Elwine (individual) called for reverting the zoning back to forest/farming. Bob Estes (individual) requested a moratorium longer than six months, suggesting a five-year ban. Ethan Cox (individual) argued the moratorium must be stronger, with no applications accepted. Sandra Gwynn (Southern Maryland Sierra Club, group) supported the moratorium and requested a longer timeframe to allow independent environmental/health studies. Sharon Cargo (individual) supported a moratorium and proposed a citizen advisory group. Lauren Gygax (Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund, group) supported a moratorium of at least 12 months. Chris Stromberg (individual) discussed economic effects and the need for a long-term plan. Jeff Dixon (individual) thanked Commissioner Hart and Grasso for persisting with the moratorium. Alana Davis (Charles County Against Data Centers Coalition, group) expressed solidarity and called for a permanent ban. Jake Burdett (individual) urged strengthening the moratorium to include a pause on zoning changes. Bob Landon (individual) criticized the six-month timeframe as insufficient. Mark Sinfrida (individual) opposed data centers altogether. Megan Farringer (individual) praised the community unity and urged a strong moratorium. Lily Sheeline (individual) requested a longer moratorium (at least 12 months) and stronger language. Len Zouza (Concerned Citizens of Calvert, group) supported the moratorium and called for rezoning and studies on economic impacts. Andy Ellis (Green Party candidate for governor, individual) cautioned that even with a moratorium, zoning changes could still allow data centers. Sherry Verdon (individual) again raised concerns about the water/sewer rate study and budget unit 575. Jason Skaggs (county commissioner candidate, individual) requested a 12-month moratorium and a hearing to rezone the Calvert Cliffs property. Sylvia Batong (individual) advocated for a five-year moratorium to use the scientific method. Linda Sumter (individual) questioned why the board was pushing data centers when residents opposed them. Dr. Jeanette Wysaki (individual) discussed PJM and FERC market issues, noting that data center demand contributed to a 75.5% jump in regional power costs. Kathy Decker (Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development, group) asked for verification of activities on Constellation property and called for a ban on secret NDAs. Parker Coyer (individual) filed an Open Meetings Compliance Board complaint and urged transparency. Judy Peterson (candidate for commissioner at large, individual) stressed the need for vigilance and a diversified economy. Patty Stuckler (candidate for commissioner at large, individual) asked the board to listen to the people and pass the moratorium. Josh Demer (Charles County Against Data Centers Coalition, group) announced a September 15 public hearing in Charles County on a potential regional ban. Nick Graziano (SOMD for All, group) recommended a two-year moratorium to allow thorough study.

Discussion Items

• Open Meetings Compliance Board Opinions: Commissioner Ireland read summaries of two opinions issued August 10 and August 17, 2026, finding that Calvert County was not in compliance with Open Meetings Act requirements for public disclosures before and after closed sessions. The board acknowledged the findings and stated that changes have been implemented. A third complaint is pending.
• Appointments: The board unanimously approved the appointment of six individuals (Veronica Burnett, Mary Brown, Christy Jones, Josephine Capraro, Ashley Adoko, and Tracy Lloyd) to the Calvert County Commission for Women, filling all vacancies.
• Award: The board recognized Emily Rowe (first district) and Jayden Eversole (second district) as recipients of the Therman Gray Memorial Scholarship. Emily Rowe will attend the University of Maryland to study economics.
• New Business – Purchase and Retirement Fund and TDR Reserve: The board approved setting the purchase price at $6,500 per Transferable Development Right (TDR) for both the Purchase and Retirement (PAR) fund and the TDR Reserve for Fiscal Year 2027, as recommended by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. The maximum fiscal impact is $13,932,562. Commissioners Cox, Hance, and Ireland recused themselves but were advised by the Acting County Attorney that they could vote to maintain a quorum.
• New Business – Board of Education Budget Certification: The board authorized the board president to sign the Fiscal Year 2027 annual budget certification statement for Calvert County Public Schools, certifying a recurring local appropriation of $169,794,696 for current expense.
• Public Hearing – 2026 General Obligation Bond Sale: After the public hearing, the board approved a resolution to issue up to $84 million in bonds to finance capital projects, including general government, water/sewer, and solid waste projects. The bond sale will be marketed in September 2026. The county's debt ratios remain the lowest among triple-A peers.
• Public Hearing – Six-Month Moratorium on Data Center Projects: The board conducted a public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium on data center site plan approvals. During the hearing, Commissioner Grasso expressed a desire to strengthen the moratorium to include a ban on accepting applications and to revert zoning for certain parcels back to forest/farming. County Attorney noted that substantive changes would require readvertisement. After extensive public comment and deliberation, the board voted to approve the moratorium as amended to include a ban on accepting new site plan applications for data centers for six months. The board also directed staff to bring forward a text amendment at the next meeting to remove data centers as a permitted use (a de facto ban), and to begin the process of reverting the comprehensive plan and zoning map for the affected parcels. The moratorium will take effect 10 days after adoption and expire approximately February 28, 2027.
• Work Session – Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments: The board reviewed six proposed text amendments (TA 26-25 through TA 26-30) covering electronic message centers at public recreation areas, extension of exception lot approval sunset, relaxation of critical area replacement planting requirements, clarification of home occupation conditions for daycares and kennels, updates to agricultural preservation provisions, and restoration of setback policy for Dunkirk Town Center. The board discussed the amendments but did not vote; the items will proceed to public hearings after a work session with the Planning Commission.
• Work Session – Consolidated Transportation Program Tour: The board was informed that the Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary will conduct a CTP tour in Calvert County on September 22, 2026. The county's annual CTP priority letter was submitted, but funding constraints remain. Discussion included pedestrian crosswalk projects and a potential success story for Mill Creek headwaters scouring.
• Public Comment (General): Several residents spoke during the general public comment period. Patrick Flaherty criticized the moratorium process as possibly violating the Open Meetings Act and parliamentary procedure. Kyle Russell (Commodore of Solomon's Island Model Boat Club) addressed a trespass issue and alleged discrimination, requesting the county lift the trespass and respond to his complaint. Vicky Richardson (individual) sought help with harassment; the board directed her to the District Court Commissioner's office. Nancy Krause (individual) thanked the board for the moratorium vote and urged teachers to incorporate civics into curriculum. Ethan Cox (individual) discussed alternative revenue sources such as renegotiating Constellation's pilot agreement and increasing grant funding. Jeff Dixon (individual) thanked Commissioner Hart and Grasso for their persistence. Dylan Johnson (individual) questioned future funding sources given the moratorium. Teresa Taylor (individual) called for rolling back all zoning ordinance changes made since March 1, 2025, not just data center provisions.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Six individuals appointed to the Calvert County Commission for Women (unanimous).
• Consent Agenda: All seven items approved (unanimous).
• Purchase and Retirement Fund: Set TDR purchase price at $6,500 for FY27 (approved, with recusal noted).
• Board of Education Budget Certification: Authorized board president to sign FY27 certification (unanimous).
• 2026 General Obligation Bond Sale: Resolution approved (unanimous) to issue up to $84 million in bonds.
• Data Center Moratorium: Approved (unanimous) a six-month moratorium on acceptance, processing, and approval of new data center site plans, effective 10 days after adoption. The board directed staff to: (1) bring a text amendment to the next meeting to remove data centers as a permitted use; (2) begin the process to revert the comprehensive plan and zoning map for the affected parcels back to forest/farming; and (3) strengthen the moratorium language as needed, with the goal of a longer-term solution.
• Text Amendments: Work session held; will proceed to public hearings after Planning Commission work session.
• Transportation Tour: Noted for September 22, 2026.
• Executive Session: The board voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel, legal advice, and pending litigation.