Carroll County Commissioners approve grant request and equipment purchase

EMA Deputy Director Dustin Lucas attended the Jan. 12 meeting of the Carroll County Commissioners to request a resolution authorizing the Local Emergency Planning Committee to apply for the 2026 Right-to-Know Grant, seeking $30,500 for wages, hazmat training, an oil and gas emergency response seminar and a full-scale LEPC exercise planned for May. “Some of the criteria we don't meet,” said Lucas. “Unfortunately, two of the major ones are hospitals and four-lane highways. So, we just can't do anything about that, but we meet a high majority of that criteria.”

The resolution passed, and commissioners discussed the ongoing challenge of state agencies not recognizing Carroll County’s high level of hazardous-material traffic despite not having a four-lane highway.

Lucas also provided a weather update, reporting expected snowfall of 1–3 inches Thursday evening, with some models suggesting the potential for 5–8 inches. The EMA will share updates on county and EMA social media pages and encouraged residents to sign up for WINS alerts.

During the meeting, Commissioner Christopher Modranski brought forward an urgent request from the County Home regarding the need for a new whirlpool bathing unit. He explained that the existing whirlpool had broken, was outdated and had reached the end of its usable life, leaving the facility without an appropriate way to bathe residents.

Modranski noted that the County Home superintendent had provided a list of facility needs, and replacing the whirlpool was identified as the top priority. The new unit would cost $10,035, and he emphasized its importance for resident care.

After considering his recommendation, the commissioners agreed the purchase was necessary and approved providing a grant to the County Home to obtain the new whirlpool.

In other business, commissioners: 

— APPROVED two new contracts presented by Job & Family Services Director Jennifer Burns for the placement of foster children. The first contract, with Willow Branches of Healing, totals $200,000 and covers the period from Dec. 1, 2025, through December 2026. The second contract, also for $200,000 and covering the same dates, is with Jefferson County Children’s Services for placement through the county’s children’s home. Both agreements are new contracts intended to support foster care needs in Carroll County. 

— PAID the bills of $85,472.38. 

— APPROVED appointments to the Omega Membership Board, naming Modranski and Robert Wirkner to serve one-year terms retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. They also appointed Wirkner to the Board of Revisions for 2026. During the discussion, Modranski said that although the position typically falls to the board president, Wirkner has handled the responsibility for many years and is well suited to continue. 

— HEARD a request from the Carroll County General Health District regarding its ongoing hygiene item drive, which runs through March 2. The health department asked whether the county would be willing to host an additional drop-off location at the courthouse to make it easier for residents to donate. During the discussion, Sheriff Calvin Graham said he would be happy to host the collection box in the Sheriff's Office lobby, noting it would be a convenient and secure location. Commissioners agreed, adding that if the health department does not provide a box, the county’s maintenance department can supply one. The drive will collect hygiene items for community members in need throughout the coming weeks.