Calvert Commissioners Adopt FY2027 Budget of $420.5 Million, Advance Data Center Moratorium Discussion
Calvert County Commissioners adopted their FY2027 budget and continued discussions regarding a proposed data center moratorium. Public concern remains high over data center development, with residents raising environmental, zoning, and quality of life issues, and a petition gaining significant signatures. Commissioners voted to place a public hearing on the proposed moratorium on a future agenda.
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners convened on June 9, 2026, to approve the county's Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets, totaling $420.5 million. The budget includes increases for education and public safety and maintains current water and sewer rates. Chief Financial Officer Melina Brookshire noted that two public hearings were held during the budget process.
Simultaneously, the meeting was dominated by continued public concern over proposed data center development in the county. Residents voiced strong opposition, citing potential harms to health, quality of life, and the environment, including issues with water usage, noise, backup generators, electrical infrastructure, and forest clearing. Nancy Elwine and Carl Elwine, among others, questioned past zoning changes for Constellation-owned property from farming to heavy industrial use without adequate public notice and urged a pause on permitting.
Commissioner Mike Hart highlighted a petition against data centers, which had grown to over 7,300 signatures, and reiterated his push for a public hearing on a two-year moratorium linked to an independent Environmental Impact Statement. Following discussions with county staff, commissioners unanimously voted to place the item on the following week's agenda to consider advertising a public hearing for the proposed moratorium. Commissioner Earl "Buddy" Hance stated he would not support data centers if studies indicated environmental harms and noted an existing resolution pausing building permits until additional work is completed.