Fiscal court approves first reading to remove county hospital board from ethics ordinance

A commissioner proposed on Nov. 25 that Carroll County amend its ethics ordinance to remove the hospital board from the ordinance’s covered entities list, arguing the hospital is not a taxing entity but rather an independent private nonprofit.

The proposer said the original statewide ordinance language dated to 1984 when county-owned hospitals were more common and that Carroll County’s hospital is a separate nonprofit entity. Following discussion the judge asked for a motion; one commissioner identified as "Scott" moved the amendment and the court approved a first reading.

Why it matters: Removing the hospital board from the county ethics ordinance would change which local entities are subject to the county’s ethics requirements; the court took first reading action, which begins the formal ordinance process and typically requires subsequent readings or additional steps before final adoption.

Next steps: The court recorded the first reading and will schedule further readings or administrative steps consistent with county ordinance procedures.

Action: Motion for first reading made by Commissioner Scott and the court approved first reading (motion text: amend ordinance to strike hospital board from ethics entity list).