Commissioners review community reinvestment, opioid restitution and parks funding recommendations

Calvert County commissioners reviewed several funding recommendations Jan. 28 from the Department of Community Resources and Parks & Recreation, including community reinvestment grants, an opioid restitution fund allocation and a parks budget amendment.

The Department of Community Resources recommended two recipients for FY2026 community reinvestment and repair funds: Calvert Health Department and Mount Olive United Methodist Church. The presentation noted Pastor Dana Jones and congregation members stepped into Yarley Hills after violent incidents to provide after-school programs and role-modeling activities; Jennifer Moreland was identified as coordinating related resources.

On the opioid restitution fund, staff presented competitive grant recommendations and asked the board to adopt a budget amendment to allocate $154,500 for 2026. Unidentified Speaker said applicants must demonstrate progress and meet measures during the grant period, and that grantees will need to reapply annually.

Parks & Recreation proposed a budget amendment to support the Calvert County Youth Recreational Opportunity Fund at Ward Farm Park and to ensure full funding for phase 2 of the community center/early voting center at Dunkirk Park. The synopsis described that modification as intended to keep the Dunkirk Park project fully funded as it moves into its second phase.

The meeting synopsis did not record formal roll-call votes or list movers and seconders for the budget amendments; it characterized these items as requests presented to the board. No effective dates or implementation schedules were specified in the synopsis.