The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners approved and adopted the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets during its June 9, 2026 meeting, while also hearing continued public concern over proposed data center development in the county.
During public service announcements, commissioners noted an America 250 flag-raising ceremony held earlier in the day at the Calvert County Circuit Courthouse. The ceremony included the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard and a performance of the national anthem by Joy Mitchell.
Commissioners also reminded residents that early voting for the 2026 gubernatorial primary election begins Thursday, June 11, and runs through Thursday, June 18. Early voting centers in Calvert County will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Ward Farm Park Vote Center in Dunkirk, the Community Resource Building in Prince Frederick, and the Southern Community Center in Lusby.
The Department of Public Safety is also scheduled to host an in-person feedback session on Wednesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. at 110 Main Street in Prince Frederick. The session is intended to gather public input on fire, rescue, and EMS services as part of the development of a comprehensive emergency services master plan.
Animal shelter staff introduced Cancun, a roughly three-month-old kitten, as the Animal of the Week. Staff said the shelter recently received approximately 30 to 35 cats, ranging from newborn kittens to adults, and is in need of adopters, foster homes, volunteers, and donations. The shelter is especially seeking help with kittens, including bottle babies.
Commissioners approved three consent agenda items: a Calvert County Youth Opportunities Fund application for Ward Farm Recreation and Nature Park, a CareFirst health insurance renewal for plan year 2026-2027, and a Highway User Revenue Certification of Use for Fiscal Year 2027.
The board then moved to adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Melina Brookshire, chief financial officer, said two public hearings were held during the budget process, on March 24 and May 12, and that public comments were provided to commissioners and entered into the permanent record.
Brookshire said the FY2027 budget is balanced and includes a $420.5 million general fund operating budget, a $29.6 million enterprise fund, a $45.5 million special revenue fund, approximately $10 million in grant funding, and approximately $90 million in capital funding.
According to the county, the budget includes $169.7 million for education operations, representing about 40% of the general fund operating budget. That amount is approximately $6.7 million higher than the FY2026 allocation. The budget also includes 10 new positions, including eight for public safety, one for the Treasurer’s Office, and one for Parks and Recreation. County employees are set to receive one salary step and a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment.
The tax-supported general fund budget increases by approximately 5.7% compared with FY2026. Brookshire said the increase supports education, public safety, and other essential services while maintaining a balanced fiscal plan.
A county-produced budget video presented during the meeting broke down general fund revenues and spending. According to the presentation, about 54% of general fund revenue comes from property taxes, 33% from income taxes, 10% from other revenues such as state and federal funding, fees, and service charges, and 3% from prior-year fund balance for one-time expenditures.
The video stated that for every general fund dollar spent, 42 cents supports public schools, 33 cents funds county operations and services, 12 cents supports pensions and debt service, and 13 cents supports community partners and transfers to other funds.
The video also highlighted enterprise funds, including a $12.4 million water and sewer enterprise fund and a $17.2 million solid waste enterprise fund. Commissioners were told there will be no increase in water and sewer rates for FY2027.
Commissioners praised finance staff for their work on the budget and voted unanimously to close the record and adopt the FY2027 capital and operating budgets, along with associated tax rates and fees.
Under new business, the Department of Community Resources presented the county’s 2026 “on behalf of bonds” program participation. Jennifer Moreland told commissioners that Calvert County’s FY2026 housing bond allocation is $4,484,639, with a non-housing bond allocation of $1,537,591 and a bonus non-housing allocation of $384,398. Staff said the action has no impact on the county budget and recommended authorizing the board president to sign a letter and attachment to the Maryland Department of Commerce. Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
The Department of Public Safety and Mission Critical Immersive Training also presented information on the county’s updated Fire, Rescue, and EMS Master Plan process. Crystal Doubt, deputy director of public safety, said the county’s last comprehensive fire, rescue, and EMS master plan was completed in 2008. Since then, the county has seen population growth and the addition of career EMS.
Mission Critical Immersive Training was selected to assess staffing, training, management, facilities, communications, operations, apparatus, records management, funding, and accounting. Frank Edwards, project manager for Mission Critical Immersive Training, said the company has completed more than 25 studies and projects across the country and that its team includes former fire, rescue, and EMS professionals with career and volunteer backgrounds.
Edwards said the master plan will provide a five- to 10-year framework for fire, rescue, and EMS services in Calvert County. The company is conducting surveys, station visits, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, GIS analysis, and call-response data review. A draft report is expected to be presented to the county in October, with a final report anticipated in December.
Commissioners said the study is important as the county considers future firehouse construction, apparatus costs, volunteer recruitment challenges, career EMS coverage, and long-term public safety planning. Commissioner Earl “Buddy” Hance noted that ambulance and fire apparatus costs have increased sharply, with ambulances now costing approximately $650,000 and ladder trucks exceeding $2 million.
Public comment focused heavily on proposed data center development, rezoning questions, environmental concerns, and calls for a moratorium.
Patrick Flaherty, a District 1 commissioner candidate, listed multiple dates when the board entered executive session to discuss matters involving business or industrial organizations, including data centers. He questioned claims that commissioners were unaware of data center discussions.
Several residents urged commissioners to slow or pause data center-related approvals. Sheila Green of Huntingtown said data centers would harm the health, quality of life, and environment of Calvert County. Carmen Portella said the county should require independent scientific and environmental studies before allowing major data center projects to proceed, citing concerns about water usage, noise, backup generators, stormwater management, electrical infrastructure, traffic, construction, forest clearing, wetlands, and cumulative impacts.
Nancy Elwine questioned how Constellation-owned property was changed from forest and farming designations to heavy industrial use, arguing that nearby property owners were not provided the same type of notice required in individual rezoning cases. Carl Elwine, speaking on behalf of neighbors of Camp Canoy Road, raised concerns about portions of the proposed development being located in Tier 4 areas and asked commissioners to pause permitting related to I-2 heavy industrial areas.
Jeff Dixon also urged commissioners to pause or ban data center development, raising concerns about diesel generators, sound, vibration, and noise.
Online speakers also addressed the issue. Kathy Decker, speaking on behalf of Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development, criticized the county’s handling of data center matters and urged commissioners to implement a moratorium while studies are completed. Joe Young of Owings said many residents believe the county has not been transparent enough and urged commissioners to listen to public opposition. Andrew Berman of Lusby asked commissioners to review evacuation planning for southern Calvert County, citing concerns about the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge, nearby nuclear and LNG facilities, and emergency evacuation routes.
Dylan Johnson of St. Leonard spoke in response to several data center-related claims, saying some comparisons being made to data center facilities in Virginia do not directly match the proposals under consideration in Calvert County. He also questioned the basis of claims about countywide opposition and said some environmental commission materials may not directly address the specific proposed sites.
During commissioner reports, Commissioner Catherine Grasso said she wants to know whether Natelli Communities has made any recent movement involving data center-related matters and whether any commissioners are working behind the scenes. She asked staff to keep the full board informed of any developments.
Commissioner Hance said he has not had conversations with involved parties for months and said the county is not fast-tracking data centers. He said the board previously passed a resolution stating no building permits could be issued until additional work is completed and that there is no time limit on that pause. Hance also said he would not support data centers if studies show they would cause the harms raised by the Environmental Commission.
County Administrator Linda Turner said the deputy county attorney had provided an email opinion to the board on May 12 regarding rezoning concerns. According to Turner, the opinion stated that based on what had been submitted, the zoning changes were done pursuant to the requirements set forth by ordinance.
Commissioner Mike Hart said he continues to hear from residents supporting a moratorium. He said one petition had grown from 5,411 signatures on June 2 to 7,347 signatures by June 8. Hart again pushed for a public hearing on a two-year moratorium tied to an independent Environmental Impact Statement.
After discussion with the county attorney and staff, Hart amended his motion. Commissioners voted unanimously to place the item on next week’s agenda for a vote on whether to move forward with advertising a public hearing on the proposed moratorium.
Commissioners also congratulated local graduates and recognized recent community events, including school graduations, a 250th birthday celebration hosted by the Elks Lodge, union apprenticeship graduations, Pastor Beverly’s retirement celebration, and Children’s Day on the Farm.
