Carroll County Board of Commissioners Open Session – September 10, 2026

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners convened on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Office Building, Room 311. Commissioners Joseph A. Vigliotti (President), Kenneth A. Kiler, and Susan W. Krebs (virtual) were present; Commissioners Michael R. Guerin and Thomas S. Gordon III were absent. The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence, and Commissioner updates. A proclamation was issued for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and 988 Day. The board then approved eight consent agenda items unanimously, heard one public comment via phone, and conducted an administrative session focusing on traffic impact study review processes and the Freedom District.

Proclamation & Presentations

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and 988 Day – Brooke Fox, Director of Prevention Services, and Christina Warren, Substance Use and Suicide Prevention Coordinator, from the Carroll County Health Department presented the proclamation. They highlighted the importance of reducing stigma, building community connections, and promoting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The board unanimously adopted the proclamation designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Consent Calendar

All items were approved unanimously by voice vote (motions and seconds by Commissioners Vigliotti, Kiler, and Krebs).

• Item 2 – Approval to Purchase – Chesapeake Employer’s Insurance for CCVESA – $334,572 for workers’ compensation coverage for up to 1,000 volunteers across 14 fire companies. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 3 – Contract Award – Courthouse Annex Envelope, Roof/Window Replacement – $2,490,810 awarded to Garland/DBS, Inc. via an Omnia Partners cooperative contract. The project includes three phases: mortar joint repairs, window replacement (80 ProVia Energy Star-rated double-hung windows), and a new standing seam metal roof with a 30-year warranty. The state contributed $216,000 in grant funds. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 4 – Contract Award – Hampstead Library Parking Lot Paving – $89,200 awarded to JEMS Contracting, Inc. for milling and repaving approximately 4,500 square yards of asphalt. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 5 – Contract Renewal – GIS Software Maintenance and Support (ESRI) – $175,000 for the third year of a three-year contract. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 6 – Approval to Purchase – CCPN Operations and Maintenance (Skyline Technology Solutions) – $236,616.48 for 24/7/365 monitoring of over 130 devices on the Carroll County Public Network, supporting government, libraries, community college, and schools. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 7 – Approval to Purchase – Fiber Marking and Locating Services (Skyline Technology Solutions) – $85,191.84 for locating underground utilities in response to Miss Utility tickets. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Item 8 – Contract Renewal – Land Management System Maintenance and Support (Accela) – $283,272.70 for the third year of a three-year agreement, supporting permitting, inspections, planning, and external partners. (Motion carried unanimously.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Audrey Novak (online, 6505 Carroll Highlands Road) – Requested a revote of the September 8, 2026 decision denying a public hearing for an extension of the deferral on self-service storage facilities in the Freedom District. She stated she attempted to call in three times without success and that the deferral should be tied to the ongoing overlay district study for Route 26. She urged the board to address the issue.

Discussion Items

• Priority Carroll (Commissioner Kiler) – Commissioner Kiler provided updates: a drive-through drop-off event on October 17, 2026, at the maintenance center; an overdose prevention meeting; a planned Chesapeake Connect trip to Durham, North Carolina; the Ag Center Board meeting; and the upcoming 9/11 commemoration. Commissioner Vigliotti noted the Farm Museum Advisory Board meeting and evening events to attract working professionals.
• Administrative Session – Traffic Impact Study Process and Freedom District Concerns – Commissioner Krebs raised a serious public safety and welfare issue regarding development in the Freedom District, citing a letter from the Freedom District Community Association (FDCA) dated September 4, 2026. She questioned the county’s process for reviewing traffic impact studies, the lack of public dissemination of technical findings, and the failure to ensure mitigation for failing intersections. She noted that a recent traffic study for a proposed development showed nearly all intersections failing (level of service E/F) but was not properly evaluated or discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. She asked for a detailed written response from staff on: (1) who is responsible for reviewing traffic impact studies and relaying findings to the planning commission; (2) copies of prior staff reports on the analysis; (3) how the county’s analysis is incorporated into conditional use decisions before the Board of Zoning Appeals. She emphasized that the issue is not about a few seconds of delay but about cumulative gridlock, public safety, and the lack of a funding mechanism for road improvements. Director of Planning and Land Management Christopher Heyn explained the current process: staff reviews trip generation, determines if a study is required, works with developers on scope, and staff engineers review the study. Mitigation is based on the developer’s proportional impact (nexus), often through fees in lieu. Heyn acknowledged that the county does not publish full traffic studies but will release them upon request. He stated that a response to the FDCA letter is being drafted. Commissioner Krebs noted that the county has no pot of money from developers for cumulative road improvements, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the burden. She urged earlier resolution of traffic issues in the development process and a more collaborative approach with state highway administration. The board agreed to discuss the matter further at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of all eight consent agenda items (motions and seconds recorded).
• Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month adopted unanimously.
• Public comment received and noted; no action taken.
• Commissioner Krebs’ request for a detailed staff response on traffic impact study process and FDCA letter was accepted; staff will provide a written response and a presentation on the process at a future board meeting.
• The board decided to postpone approval of closed session minutes from September 3, 2026, to the next week after Commissioner Krebs noted a dissenting vote that should be recorded as 4-1.
• Agenda review for the weeks of September 14 and 21, 2026, was completed with minor additions (Literacy Council proclamation). The meeting adjourned.