Carroll County Board of Commissioners Open Session - February 12, 2026
Carroll County Board of Commissioners Open Session - February 12, 2026
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners held its regular open session on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the County Office Building, Room 311. The meeting included approval of purchases, a legislative update, a public hearing request for parks code amendments, and commissioner reports. All decisions were unanimous.
Courthouse Security Upgrades
- The Board approved the purchase of security upgrades for the Carroll County Courthouse from Marathon Technology Services, Inc. in the amount of $51,515.59. The purchase is 100% reimbursed by a security grant from the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts. The motion carried unanimously.
Priority Carroll – Commissioner Reports
- Commissioner Kiler reported on the joint meeting with the Environmental Advisory Committee, the Taste of Maryland Agriculture event, District 5 Night in Annapolis, MACo meetings, and the State of the State address. He noted the budget process and highlighted the importance of in-person meetings.
- Commissioner Gordon reported on the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Chocolate Ball, noting 955 unduplicated clients served and 18,714 clinical sessions in FY2025. He also promoted the Carroll County History Expo on February 28 and the Farm Museum's Cocoa and Cocktails event.
- Commissioner Guerin highlighted that Carroll County had the lowest unemployment rate in Maryland for December 2025, attributing it to hardworking residents and fiscal responsibility.
- Commissioner Krebs discussed the Chocolate Ball, District 5 Night, and the State of the State. She criticized state policies on energy (subsidizing renewables) and housing (mandates increasing costs), and noted budget concerns such as redirected 911 fees and unfunded mandates.
Legislative Update – Pam Meister
- Pam Meister, Legislative Liaison, provided updates on several bills. The hunting bill has not yet been drafted; the delegation will decide after seeing text. The unpaid property tax bill had a hearing with no opposition. The Highway User Revenue bill hearing was held, and Carroll County submitted testimony. Redistricting letters were sent. Written testimony opposed the Silver Starter Homes bill. The "Bambi bill" letter will be sent. Meister also noted a bill to allow Class 1 distilleries to sell food and alcohol, and a statewide bill for Maryland alcohol manufacturers to sell each other's products. Discussion ensued on the need to address underlying costs of housing rather than just local control. The Board also discussed the potential diversion of 911 fees to the state's emergency management department, which they oppose.
Spending Authority for Medical Supplies
- The Board approved spending authority up to $310,000 for medical supplies from Bound Tree Medical, covering the remainder of FY26. The centralized stocking system has saved costs. The motion carried unanimously.
Request for Public Hearing – Parks and Recreation Code Ordinances
- Bob Hicks, Director of Recreation and Parks, presented proposed amendments to Chapter 94, including restrictions on model rockets, unmanned aircraft, smoking/vaping, domestic animals, trash receptacles, paragliders, and operating private businesses. The changes were based on actual incidents. The Board approved proceeding to a public hearing, with a suggestion to change the title to "prohibited" for smoking/cannabis. The motion carried unanimously.
Contract Award – Propane Gas
- The Board awarded a contract to H.J. Poist Gas Company to supply propane gas to 11 county buildings at $1.074 per gallon, the lowest of five bids. The contract is for one year with four renewal options. The Board discussed renewal pricing and monitoring. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval to Purchase – Ford F-250
- The Board approved the purchase of one 2026 Ford F-250 truck from Hertrich Fleet Services for $58,528, replacing a 19-year-old vehicle. The truck will be used by the Carroll Soil Conservation District. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments
- Catherine Adelaide, a member of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee, spoke about candidate filing deadlines (February 24), the upcoming legislative breakfast on February 28, and pro-life activities. She also encouraged public participation.
Administrative Session and Agenda Review
- The Board discussed upcoming meetings, including the February 17 Veterans Advisory meeting (to be confirmed) and the February 19 agenda items. Commissioner Kiler complimented the Department of Public Works on snow removal. The meeting recessed at approximately 10:30 AM to reconvene at 1:00 PM for a joint meeting with ESAC.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approval of Courthouse Security Upgrades ($51,515.59).
- Unanimous approval of Spending Authority for Medical Supplies ($310,000).
- Unanimous approval to proceed with a public hearing on Parks Code amendments.
- Unanimous award of Propane Gas contract to H.J. Poist Gas Company.
- Unanimous approval of Ford F-250 purchase ($58,528).
- Legislative update received; Board directed staff to monitor and oppose certain bills (911 fee diversion, housing mandates).
- Public comment heard.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Thursday, February twelfth, two thousand twenty-six meeting open session of the Board of Carroll County Commissioners. As we always see, we'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection. Thank you very much. The Office of Procurement and Cooperation with the Circuit Court of Carroll County requests your approval to purchase security upgrades for the Carroll County Courthouse for Marathon Technology Services Incorporated in the amount of $51,515.59 cents. This purchase is being made through a term contract that was competitively bid and awarded to Marathon Technology Solutions Incorporated. The security upgrades will be 100% reimbursed by a security grant administered through the Maryland administrative office of the courts. The amount is approved in the FY26 budget. Just additional uh efforts on our part to upgrade security within the uh circuit court for Carroll County's uh buildings as uh Corey indicated as we indicated if we're gonna uh this will be reimbursed by the administrative office of the courts through a grant uh that we obtained. So happy to answer any questions. I I was down you all were down in Annapolis yesterday, weren't you, for the state of the state address. I was down there two days ago testifying on another bill, and um one of our one of my colleagues, uh the administrative judge in Washington County was down there testifying in support of a bill to increase penalties for threats against judges and uh public officials. Um it's uh something that's on all of our minds, and we'll try to do what we can to beef up security where we can and when we can. So if the Board of Commissioners approve the purchase of security upgrades for the Carroll County Courthouse for Marathon Technology Services Inc. and the amount of 51,515.59 cents. We have a motion. Do we have a second? We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All is in favor? Aye. All is opposed. Motion carries. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Have a good day you're on. May the wind be at your back. You and you as well. Thanks. So next we will move into priority Carol. Commissioner Kyler, I believe you are up first this week. I'm first. Okay. Um we had our joint meeting with the environmental advisory committee, which is always interesting, and some of the stuff they do and some of the stuff they look into and and respond. So just a great committee, and uh um it it it's I don't know how many people know that that they exist. You know, it's we talked this morning about um and and Commissioner Krebs said until people get involved, they seem to not know the details. And and this is one I'm not sure what they know, but we we meet with them once a year and talk to them a little more than that. Um last week I went to the Taste of Maryland agriculture at uh live casino and uh it was great. Um I I ended up being late because of wrestling. Um so I didn't get to walk across the stage, but I don't think anybody noticed or cared. But uh it was it was great, and a lot of Carroll County people there. Um Lippy brothers were one of the sponsors, and uh a lot of lobbyists, a lot of delegates and senators and elected officials from throughout the state, and all there for AG and it was nice. Um Rhonda and I got to visit grand grandkids over the weekend. We were delayed a weekend because of the snow and uh um Southwest canceled flights, but um we got to do that. Um went down to District 5 night, which is really district 5 slash 42 night, and uh it was a great crowd there. We talked about that a little yesterday. Um the majority of the people that attend that are elected officials, candidates, people involved in government. That is a great night for just a voter, a taxpayer. You can go down, you can hear um our our uh delegates and senators talk about what's going on down there. You can uh you can go through the tunnels that uh seem relatively secretive, but you can be guided through the tunnels, you can watch a session. Um it's kind of a canned session, not not too much uh controversial, but you can watch a session.
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