[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6388541,"mediaKeyId","2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf","parentId",2114026,"title","Carroll County highlights housing, homelessness and veterans services; family shelter planned for spring 2026","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",1353000,"endMs",1511000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf&start=1353&end=1511","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf/thumbnail_1353000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388541/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-highlights-housing-homelessness-and-veterans-services-family-shelter-planned-for-spring-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388541-7dad2b926dc79ff086e32e09f148fb53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201850&Signature=ixp78eW4YiNCzLrFZ2L5fBSUbTZ5c7cV5USaZ5x1YwFWRJcvHzn-MpbxfVXoJIZcxlfXP4OwdHabaTQGJ1sDdsWrmd-jXEeVLpUfpfch6l0lw~Ker2Zslb~stQXjbjVgkEXEN8~lCeqZn-jzOZLdU5gsn4DcF-qPTc7QNBUr4IGfJ~MBSY4nQKHtFT-mdUzrewgRiV1rfmCf1Jn2YobL0TzHfmZ7ysnxJZfuEnow~DLOsfctVJj1MnyrQbc7pRJUtjsDEm4hXujJG8EAIIQqVKAY799w5mSyr~v5W9wHIxEISOnh11p5AM3U0n9wNR47NpxuoF7~xQP0tlLmRNNvGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-15T02:45:52Z","article","County leaders used the Chamber event to summarize citizen-services programs that provide housing stability, aging services and veteran assistance, and to flag near-term openings and programmatic changes.

Commissioner Kenny Kyler described the Department of Citizen Services as \"the compassionate arm of the county,\" and he highlighted three lines of service: housing and homeless services (within the Bureau of Housing and Community Development), children and family services overseen by the Local Management Board, and aging, disability and caregiver and veteran services through the Bureau of Aging and Disabilities. Kyler said the county has secured outside grants and partnerships to support these programs.

Kyler told the audience the county is working to relocate its current family shelter; the new facility is slated to open in the spring of 2026 and \"will include space for up to 10 families experiencing homelessness,\" he said. He also described the Housing Choice Voucher program administered with federal HUD funds and said more than 93% of voucher holders are older adults and people with disabilities. The county's Local Management Board is launching a program focused on communities with higher child-poverty rates to improve upward economic mobility, Kyler added.

On veterans services, speakers said the county's veteran program serves roughly 800 veterans and has recovered about $80,000,000 in pension and compensation claims for veterans to date. Kyler announced that Carroll County has been designated by the Federal VA and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families as the site for a veterans' home in the South Carroll area; officials said that designation is an honor and that further planning and implementation steps will follow.

Attendees raised the county's aging-population needs, noting that middle-income residents can face high assisted-living costs and sometimes relocate outside the county for affordable care. Commissioners responded that county zoning in agricultural and other areas offers conditional uses that can accommodate assisted-living development and that staff will review barriers and possible incentives to attract more local care options. The county did not announce specific new funding for assisted living during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 State of the County Address","oneSentenceSummary","County leaders used the Chamber event to summarize citizen-services programs that provide housing stability, aging services and veteran assistance, and to flag near-term openings and programmatic changes.","taxTitle","Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",7748,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6388546,"Carroll County officials outline multi-year budget shortfall; EMS costs among largest pressures",2698,2218000,4916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf&start=2218&end=4916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6388546/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-officials-outline-multi-year-budget-shortfall-EMS-costs-among-largest-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388546-76b7471e26bd93e5b0ef6c61b1412de6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201850&Signature=MMOLi2Dls81zMZ~B7Jik66jwQu~F4OYVtWzW2soO85LonVk59IoH5uEqLiwo234JgGpoIdM3zShCDSbaZn3GDAh0OpuYfxRQgBpavd0RfsWcgRsQ5uuoyvFYqHOA-r8rWJwugqcyQy8BztemFsYf8eFVfOkIX3fnyU2moLD5TYVY9tR9blM3~QJE-0F56hiiAdyRSc1Sefwsbh3IMlXNRdgEHXmSAtSEvsDL1P27L~LppVoXsYbcdjWSP~99FQdabkHMuXsDYl~oCjLxNXjnNw6Zx1PoRf9O69~ZSf-vSIch2VpGbXvZtVpu4qjFem2DZogmHvi1aYIA-anu1nk3jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners told the Chamber State of the County audience they face a multi-year budget shortfall driven by a narrow budget vote last year, new state mandates and sharply rising costs for emergency medical services.

Commissioner Tom Gordon recounted that a budget was approved on a second vote and that the result has left the county with a projected fiscal year 2026 shortfall of $5.2 million and a multi-year projection of roughly $29.7 million by fiscal 2030 if no changes are made. \"A budget was passed 3 to 2, and it placed us in a current situation... of a $5,200,000 deficit in FY26,\" Gordon said during his remarks.

Commissioners identified several drivers. The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services now costs approximately $33 million annually, speakers said, and inflation and commodity-cost increases (fuel, materials, etc.) have raised operating expenses across departments. County leaders said they used one-time revenues, tapped contingency reserves and delayed projects to balance most recent budgets but acknowledged that relying on one-time funds is not sustainable.

Speakers listed measures taken last year: delaying capital projects, cutting long-standing vacant positions and using surplus and contingency funds. Commissioners encouraged residents to propose ideas for new revenue or efficiency and to weigh which discretionary services could be reduced. Suggestions discussed at the meeting included reviewing county rental and land-leasing rates (including agricultural rents and timbering where appropriate), and comparing county property-rental rates to private-market levels.

Multiple commissioners said the most difficult choices are protecting nondiscretionary services \u0000schools, public safety, roads \u0000while finding smaller discretionary savings. \"The nondiscretionary dollars outweigh the discretionary,\" one commissioner said, summarizing the challenge. County leaders asked residents to contact their commissioners with priorities and ideas as the budget cycle advances.","Commissioners described a multi-year budget gap prompted by a recent budget vote, rising EMS costs and state mandates; leaders said they used one-time funds and cost controls last year but that long-term fiscal choices are needed.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6388551,"County officials urge changes to Maryland \"Blueprint\" as school funding and hiring strain local budget",0,3817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf&start=3817&end=3817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf/thumbnail_3817000.jpg","/articles/6388551/Carroll-County/Maryland/County-officials-urge-changes-to-Maryland-Blueprint-as-school-funding-and-hiring-strain-local-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388551-e7452b886c80d659162e5b6cd6e49bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201850&Signature=GBgXE6ia2XtokvNsaHcHG5huaXApW7fXsj1dwrzrPICf-ar2gUKKomyjZb~QKmhbefQrNr3c3cF-eNc4odcTiS2tZJq8~-nvmKL-lQz0a7wpFnYUfhZSHun141r4Wxz8f7LLEkUM1cgT7N0QlZ8oyNqRjeiUePjUvIrfzBGPr~4EgVRw9b7rX~yzwZCrsBa4CpS6lm6zOgep4Pqsv4ickVmfnYgCcC3tNUN0tZIcJDRWOo6Mx0nmkENqcQKu1jIQLsUEY8IKRGsCepbao8v1IMny0E4B3ye7mc4ozm2Adopg~eZTsEqkV48QoNwnNSnqc-hR-TEjaEnWjytTwoof0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners and school officials told the Chamber\u0000annual State of the County audience that the state's \"Blueprint\" education reform is creating significant budget and staffing pressure for local schools and that the county will press state leaders for changes or flexibility.

\"As of yesterday, Carroll County Public Schools would be insolvent,\" a Carroll County Public Schools official who identified herself as Cindy told the meeting, saying she had just learned that foundation funding tied to Blueprint would be reduced. County officials likewise said several Blueprint requirements \u0000including target teacher salaries and additional planning time \u0000are difficult to fund and implement on the timeline set by the state.

Commissioners described several tactics to seek relief. Commissioner Joe Vigliotti said the county is developing alternatives that demonstrate \"equivalency\" to Blueprint outcomes rather than strict procedural compliance; under that approach, a jurisdiction would show it achieved the student-performance goals without being forced to follow the state's exact staffing or program prescription. Other ideas discussed included coordinated testimony to local delegates and senators, and seeking phased timelines for implementation.

Speakers outlined specific elements that are creating pressure. The meeting referenced a proposed base teacher salary of $60,000 (statewide timeline discussed in the meeting but not fully specified), and a Blueprint planning-time mandate that would shift classroom time from a 70/30 teaching/preparation split to a 60/40 split; speakers said the governor had signaled a willingness to reconsider the 60/40 mandate and that the state funding package tied to some Blueprint elements was changing.

Commissioners and school officials emphasized that teacher recruitment is a statewide problem and that Carroll County has taken local steps to improve pay and career ladders, but that new mandates could divert funds away from compensation. County leaders urged residents and stakeholders to contact state delegates and testify in Annapolis with fiscal evidence showing local inability to absorb the full Blueprint costs.

County and school officials said they will continue working together, share alternatives with state officials and pursue legislative and administrative relief while planning for near-term budget impacts.","Carroll County commissioners and school officials said Maryland's Blueprint education requirements are creating fiscal and staffing strain; county leaders described proposals to seek alternatives, request flexibility and testify to the state delegation.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6388555,"Carroll County leaders renew opposition to Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project",1252,1660000,2912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf&start=1660&end=2912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114026-081d36cc16816b610adca6d158beafaf/thumbnail_1660000.jpg","/articles/6388555/Carroll-County/Maryland/Carroll-County-leaders-renew-opposition-to-Maryland-Piedmont-Reliability-Project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388555-80635fa482b034e1f096418f43a588ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201850&Signature=UxaGxs27bHf4orYg6pcDww56lqbxLGKQ2zvv1qEN7uFjgKuhdFO4PlBqMmntFAdQjdGOf0sAeSnQFgnLRzUAFnxEx4zLoVW0Z8no4n-1qnQ2U5xtQqCIq2~T4Udy5BPg7TONglkHcANS6KrIVPc4WxZa0gxFmr7x16yLw4JAc8M-0zObE9Uege~kJ0jB8HUllBdlCRuCDWWFn9-tbsZSmCSi9p9QiCsBbgap0d-vWt8KBSt19Nr44mnWjEVBAqWv-Tfohysbn~cRHE0ISXeA4xxxv9oveftkEN3CgjX7UoPm9uuRlLVZK~F7Y~TPHKs9DvM4k6W7S3P48PXpPv4P4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County commissioners used the Chamber of Commerce\u0000\u0000annual State of the County event to renew and amplify their opposition to the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, saying the high-voltage lines would cross farmland, forests and wetlands and that residents should submit letters to the Maryland Public Service Commission.

The commissioners and residents described the project as a local threat and said it currently awaits determinations by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Commissioner Joe Vigliotti said the proposal would \"gouge a scar across our home,\" listing figures in the transcript of properties and acres targeted by the company, and urged citizens to submit written opposition to the PSC. \"We have formally resolved opposition to the MPRP,\" Vigliotti said, and the board is preparing to intervene at the PSC and has \"invoked the federal coordination process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,\" he added.

The issue matters because the route the company proposes would cross private property, preserved agricultural easements and environmentally sensitive acres, and commissioners said the county is pursuing multiple tracks: public comments to the PSC, outreach to state and federal elected officials and legislative remedies. Commissioner Kenny Kyler said the county has repeatedly asked the company and federal regulators for the specific legal authority that permits construction on private property in the way proposed, and that no clear legal justification has yet been provided. \"What is the actual law that permits something like this to happen?\" Kyler said.

County officials described prior, formal actions taken by the Board of County Commissioners to oppose the project. The board previously passed two resolutions expressing opposition and authorizing coordination with federal authorities and state legislators; county speakers said those resolutions were unanimous and remain part of the record. Commissioners also told the audience the county is working with neighboring jurisdictions and with state delegates and senators on legislative responses.

For residents who want to help, multiple county speakers and questioners at the meeting urged filing a written letter of opposition with the Public Service Commission, contacting state delegates and senators, and posting no-trespassing signage on private property. Commissioners said PSE (referred to in the meeting as \"PSE and G\") notified the PSC and that the commission, a five-member body, will decide whether to allow the project to proceed.

Next steps described by county officials include the PSC review process, potential intervention filings by the county, coordination with FERC, and expected legislation this session aimed at clarifying eminent-domain and permitting issues. County officials said they will publish guidance and a dedicated page with filing instructions on the county website and will continue to notify residents as opportunities to comment arise.","County commissioners and residents at the Carroll County Chamber \"State of the County\" meeting renewed opposition to the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, urged residents to file letters with the Public Service Commission and described legal, land-use and eminent-domain concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carroll County highlights housing, homelessness and veterans services; family shelter planned for spring 2026

Carroll County officials outline multi-year budget shortfall; EMS costs among largest pressures

County officials urge changes to Maryland "Blueprint" as school funding and hiring strain local budget

Carroll County leaders renew opposition to Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project