Calvert commissioners approve $60,000 to begin concept design for new sheriff’s office crime lab

The Board of County Commissioners approved a $60,000 reallocation from the capital fund on April 28 to initiate concept design for a new sheriff’s office property/crime lab and related headquarters improvements.

Why the request: Sheriff's staff and county officials said the current building, largely built in the early 20th century, cannot meet modern evidence‑storage and crime‑lab standards and presents risks for long‑term preservation of items such as rape kits and vehicle evidence. Commissioners and sheriff’s staff described cases where evidence storage, drying bays and secure indoor space were inadequate for large or sensitive investigations.

What was approved: The reallocation will fund conceptual design work to identify site needs, building program and space requirements (including secure storage and processing bays) and provide cost estimates to advance the project into formal design phases. The motion carried at the April 28 meeting with commissioners voting to move forward with the concept phase.

Next steps: Staff said the concept work will help specify phased needs and budget requirements for a full design and construction program; subsequent steps will return to the board for design approvals and capital appropriations.

Context: Commissioners described the project as a priority for public safety infrastructure and evidence integrity, and stressed the intent to design a facility built to modern standards that will serve the county for decades.