Carrie Akins

The board meeting synopsis included several key discussions. Initial proceedings involved a proclamation for National Senior Nutrition Programs, where Meals for Wheels drivers were recognized. The Board of Health presented on the Destination Wellness Program, an initiative aimed at minimizing high utilizers of emergency departments, which projected significant cost savings through the use of a mobile van for non-emergency medical needs. The subsequent Board of County Commissioners meeting addressed the consent agenda, which included a tower lease agreement, safety plans for bus transit, transportation grant agreements, and a stewardship agreement for King Memorial Park. New business featured an adjustment to tax rates for Chesapeake Beach and North Beach, separating historically lumped figures. A $100,000 budget adjustment for the Department of Public Works, necessitated by unforeseen expenses like storm damage repair, was moved from the consent agenda for discussion. Presentations were given by the College of Southern Maryland regarding expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including collaborations on quantum computing and an airplane mechanic school. Additionally, a briefing was held by AWS concerning job postings and data center exploration within Calvert County, noting that no formal agreement existed at the time. Following this, the board unanimously voted to explore a 24-month moratorium on data centers. A lengthy discussion followed addressing factual points regarding data center impact, including water usage, diesel generator concerns, electric consumption effects on the regional power grid, and potential tax revenue benefits. Text amendments being drafted address environmental protections and infrastructure costs.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. Agenda items included an amendment to the agenda to include a briefing from a potential data center project. Public service announcements covered the launch of Calvert County's whole blood field transfusion program, making it the fifth agency in Maryland authorized to administer whole blood pre-hospital, an initiative accelerated after an incident in 2022 involving Deputy James Flint. An informational session regarding the residential permitting process was also announced for March 9th. The Board recessed to convene as the Calvert County Board of Health to discuss the Destination Wellness Program, which aims to improve health outcomes for high utilizers of the emergency department by addressing complex medical needs and social determinants of health. The Board also read and adopted a proclamation recognizing the National Senior Nutrition Program and commended the volunteers of Calvert Meals on Wheels for their service in 2025.

Key discussions included the introduction of the Temporary Business Programs Assistant, Emily Ciancio. The Department of Planning & Zoning will present the Edge Commercial District to the Planning Commission seeking authorization to advertise a public hearing for the removal of Employment Center (EC) Zoning. Updates were provided on the Maryland Business Ready Sites Program (MBRSP) Grant, including the completion of the Site Characterization Report. Business related to the Calvert County Industrial Park (CCIP) involved the approval of sign repairs and upcoming stormwater maintenance. The FY27 EDA recommended budget, maintaining a $500,000 allocation for the loan fund, was reviewed. Updates on Project Restore recipients included pending review of Furniture Gallery's completion report and building permit approval for Serenity Counseling, LLC's interior renovations, along with an approved budget adjustment and extension granted by DHCD. Recent CoStar/LoopNet statistics were noted as available. The members recessed into a closed session to discuss two matters concerning the proposal for a business loan.

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 am. The open issues section involved the review of a builder's license application, where the applicant failed to adequately answer the questions posed by the board. Consequently, the board moved to draft a formal letter of denial to the applicant, reserving the opportunity for the applicant to provide a detailed response before finalization and dispatch.

The Compensation Review Board meeting addressed general business and administrative matters, including the review and approval of the agenda and the minutes from the October 8, 2025, meeting. Key new business involved a unanimous vote to change the recommended salaries for the Board of Education Chair to $8,500 and the Board of Education Member (Non-Student) salary to $7,500. A subsequent motion to remove health insurance eligibility for these positions failed. All other outstanding recommendations were subsequently approved.