Carroll County approves EMS training grant, community partnership applications and multiple service contracts

Carroll County commissioners approved a slate of grants and contracts at their April 2 meeting, including funding for emergency medical training, youth and family services, and major roadwork.

The Department of Fire and EMS sought and received approval to apply for and accept FY26 advanced life‑support (ALS) training funds from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). County staff said the ALS grant totals $10,445.19 and is 100% funded with no local match required; funds will reimburse paramedic continuing education delivered with Carroll Community College.

The board also approved submission of the FY27 Community Partnership Agreement application to the Governor’s Office for Children. Selene Stackle and Ed Singer explained the grant will support family preservation, suicide intervention/prevention and youth housing/navigation programs; the record notes a county operating match of about $86,000 to support staff salaries.

Procurement awards followed: the board awarded family‑preservation services to the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau for $275,000 and a suicide‑intervention and prevention contract to the same provider for $17,000; both projects are funded through the county’s allocation of Maryland Children’s Cabinet integration funding and are within the FY26 budget.

On infrastructure spending, the Division of Engineering reported an April asphalt index increase after March bidding. Staff said the index change produced an estimated $370,000 increase on the bid; $160,000 had been programmed and an additional $210,000 was requested. The board approved a $6,880,985.60 contract award to Gray and Sons, Inc., to pave approximately 18 miles across 45 county roadways.

Separately, the Bureau of Solid Waste requested approval to pay a late invoice to Balsam LLC for recovered materials operations; staff said the invoice was from May 2025 and funds are available in the solid‑waste enterprise fund. The board approved the spending authority (amount as stated in the record: '79,50.80').

Why it matters: these actions allocate state and federal grant dollars for training and social‑service programs, formalize contracts to deliver youth and suicide‑prevention services, and authorize major roadwork at current market prices. The asphalt update highlights how commodity index changes can alter county construction budgets.

Board action: All motions were moved, seconded and approved as recorded in the meeting transcript.