[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6750775,"mediaKeyId","2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f","parentId",2388825,"title","Sheriff outlines $58,183 net FY26 request, flags radio replacements and K‑9 vehicles","audioSeconds",875,"startMs",278000,"endMs",1153000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f&start=278&end=1153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f/thumbnail_278000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6750775/Caroline-County/Maryland/Sheriff-outlines-58183-net-FY26-request-flags-radio-replacements-and-K9-vehicles","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750775-096efc8ae829c621987f4237beec5f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148632&Signature=TmcwexsMpzId1xket4Srw~V-Le9RBIOGSCt9QanovLqZgPV5dEDqEt5gFijfhdsxkohj59nJfa31DxE4Vb78p2PIJHG6KOU8ttUlsmabGXpa47DT-AWpTJx2qAnXVgN1PYlgGVF6x5cI5BcFJDDfD0-V8yPNC7mzj5o~-MqXNIFX5TDDpwPpuT1DrC8iz1zgeKCcyGavqJQA8FZF7na1oSjskxojOwFZHH24U2X0nu2GCNCVBX91rjE7PB8KzW~Oxu7BBHOG-j4uLcMQYKzuh04tIuqIZzOVy7ApTSTY8DGuR9kFxZH182Bsu--AqbWzqDlvEJg7K0qneVeY5aDn8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caroline","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Sheriff Baker presented the sheriff’s office FY26 budget to the Caroline County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25, saying the department’s request was\"over flat is gonna be $58,183\" after a mix of pay‑scale realignment and adjustments to communications and reimbursable services.

The sheriff said the request reflects several line‑item shifts: a proposed $26,086 adjustment to smooth pay‑scale steps, consolidation of mobile data terminals with cell‑phone lines and an asked $6,000 increase to reflect current billing, and increased reimbursable overtime because towns and events are paying for deputy services. \"That also includes our cell phones,\" the sheriff said as he explained the MDT/telephone consolidation.

Finance staff working with the sheriff estimated some offsetting reductions in operating lines, producing a department‑level net increase closer to $44,000 after accounting for savings on insurance and other actual spend.

On equipment, Baker said the department is on a combined Motorola contract for radios and body cameras and that in‑car and body cameras were purchased largely with state grants. He cautioned the board that radio replacement will be a substantial future cost: \"we're gonna have radio replacements coming up in the coming years, which is gonna be a substantial amount of money.\" Captain Helmer, who manages Motorola contracts, joined that discussion.

The sheriff also outlined a $361,540 capital request that includes K‑9 vehicle replacements (two narcotics dogs expected from forfeiture funds and a spare K‑9 vehicle) and two patrol vehicles; he described one patrol vehicle with known transmission issues that Public Works said it can remanufacture in‑house to reduce cost. Baker said one animal control vehicle already has about 50,000 miles and needs replacement to bring the animal‑control fleet current.

Commissioners asked how the sheriff’s office fits into the county’s larger radio and Motorola planning. Sheriff Baker and staff said county‑wide inventory work is under way so the county can plan a phased radio lifecycle replacement that would include portable and mobile radios used by sheriff, emergency services and other agencies.

Why it matters: The sheriff’s FY26 ask combines personnel cost changes with recurring telecom/MDT costs and near‑term vehicle replacements. Commissioners flagged radio replacement as a county‑wide multi‑year cost that will affect budget planning across public safety departments.

Sources: Remarks by Sheriff Baker and finance staff during the Feb. 25 Caroline County FY26 budget workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caroline - Caroline County Commissioners Meeting Budget Roundtable - Feb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff Baker told commissioners his office’s FY26 budget request is roughly $58,183 over a flat budget after step‑scale realignment and equipment consolidations; he warned of sizable future costs for radio replacements and described requests for K‑9 and patrol vehicle replacements.","taxTitle","Caroline County, Maryland","taxId",61674,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750766,"Public Works outlines ARPA‑funded road projects and asks for capital prioritization",459,2780000,3239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f&start=2780&end=3239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","/articles/6750766/Caroline-County/Maryland/Public-Works-outlines-ARPAfunded-road-projects-and-asks-for-capital-prioritization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750766-b8b22b191bea43824aa0057a7576cf6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148632&Signature=EEbcRZXrCn4d21CYIodM-WExWOZB3GIJxZz8rNN-kgsHfiDwzYuixyfYi9rtSDXSG2YiAuJQrTCm3qZqoYCOnWFdFWEL93A0tvZDVklboTJT5eEfvVAVBd90A8151FoIptPInku7CKCyFEISdTdNm-~7GGM2USajbE0gJAQK6B0tIlb~v0hlXV6KXb~No3Lc16htkfYOTlQMm9fE1tfR0gHPs8f~7UhOM1TMqUMxcC7l71PVzcolE09KEJPqRjY6Hm9beki1xMMlKR5LS2yR6D1dJH4-DrLsEnyy~js8xQSaNPoE-3BDKIVmSfxqCJ~wBVUtkL3byuyWO2Ku884x2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff presented operating updates and a capital outlook at the Feb. 25 workshop, explaining small operating reductions based on historical spending and a larger parts cost increase in the central shop.

Director Robin said the county has allocated significant ARPA funds to road projects including Jones Corner, Trunk Line, Wolf Lane and Stafford; based on current obligations she estimated roughly $7.8 million in ARPA funds remain but expected planned bids to spend most of that balance. \"Per our federal requirements, we have to show or had to show all of the funds considered obligated or spent by the December,\" a staffer said while reviewing the ARPA schedule.

Public Works provided a five‑year facility plan for buildings, but said road equipment and infrastructure capital require prioritization. Commissioners asked staff to produce a ranked list (1, 2, 3 priorities) for facility and roads equipment so the board can weigh tradeoffs when finalizing capital spending. Robin also described current staffing: the department had four vacancies (two central‑shop offers accepted, two road‑crew openings) and said recruitment had been steady but turnover remains an issue.

Why it matters: ARPA money committed to multi‑year road and paving projects will shape FY26 capital needs; commissioners asked for clear, prioritized capital lists and lifecycle estimates to guide decisions.

Sources: Public Works presentation and Q&A, Feb. 25 Caroline County budget workshop.","Public Works reported consolidation of small operating increases, higher parts costs for the central shop, and that ARPA funds are already committed to multiple road projects. Staff estimated roughly $7.8 million in ARPA funds remaining but warned most pending bids will use the balance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750770,"Finance lays out 2.5% COLA and a 25‑step county pay plan; steps tied to performance",346,1670000,2016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f&start=1670&end=2016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388825-9a2af0bd7a35d52c8af5096230ca375f/thumbnail_1670000.jpg","/articles/6750770/Caroline-County/Maryland/Finance-lays-out-25-COLA-and-a-25step-county-pay-plan-steps-tied-to-performance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750770-94697bf8460feaaf336d3fb7fd8d4977/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148632&Signature=kEiOuKSXZ7SOzsTVCvqmLXoChHthtHbZ4-kIOXl20JFeNCX-gDS0DwJJD18xYLn7G9JF2xekY8eGbOszwZ4tojACfZ06yKwj0Hno2-kqZNwySb3wydIoDlnaRUavckkatZSRkHijMHz~mT1LtGaGgvGNzZ5GCB7xHUtxIc6eAKOn-GItDZUUt0yUcxWoiJHBtn9772xrDwRUk5pRGr-wMU93EJTqdOt~-Y-NaZVMAqOBcc-H1uc7JqzjvciW76GyY5UiczO3A6X1ttuMVF5VDhYu02q4UpVD6PR~4BbhQTjD91qIhJEDX2fkaieOOuxGZ9irUSZfXJTCWd3e4hzB7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County finance staff and Human Resources outlined a proposed countywide pay‑and‑step plan during the Feb. 25 FY26 budget workshop. Finance recommended a 2.5% COLA for all employees plus one step advancement in the new plan; the county’s retirement period (25 years) is mirrored in the plan’s 25 step levels.

Finance Director Danny described the step schedule: early steps would generally carry a 2% increase per step, mid‑career steps would be about 1.5%, and late‑career steps would drop to about 1%. \"So at the most, somebody could receive 4 and a half and on the least, it would be 3 and a half,\" Danny said, explaining that the COLA stacks with the step increase in the first year for newer employees.

HR Director Sherry also explained operational changes to support the plan, including the rollout of a new performance‑management system that will automate anniversary evaluations and provide a task list for supervisors. Sherry told commissioners the county would use evaluation outcomes to condition step increases: \"I don't think he said that the step increases are contingent on an acceptable evaluation. Correct. So, you know, their merit increases that are based on performance.\"

Why it matters: A structured, countywide step plan aims to reduce inconsistencies in pay increases across departments and to improve recruitment and retention. Commissioners and staff noted the plan will need careful local administration — particularly consistent performance evaluations — to achieve the intended smoothing of pay progression.

Sources: Presentations by Danny (Office of Finance) and Sherry (Human Resources) at the Feb. 25 workshop.","Caroline County finance staff described a proposed countywide pay plan that adds a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment and one step advancement for employees, with step percentages tapering over a 25‑step scale and increases contingent on acceptable evaluations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sheriff outlines $58,183 net FY26 request, flags radio replacements and K‑9 vehicles

Public Works outlines ARPA‑funded road projects and asks for capital prioritization

Finance lays out 2.5% COLA and a 25‑step county pay plan; steps tied to performance