Council Approves 40-Year Corporate Tax Shelter, $200M Debt Expansion Amidst “Sanctuary” Uproar
TOWSON, MD. — In a chaotic final legislative session of 2025, the Baltimore County Council unanimously approved a sprawling 40-year tax incentive package for industrial giant Tradepoint Atlantic and quietly authorized over $200 million in new borrowing authority for park projects—moves that watchdog groups say were buried under a stormy public debate regarding controversial new immigration policies.
While the crowd focused its ire on Bills 97-25 and 98-25, which seek to codify protections for non-citizens and establish an Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Council moved swiftly to pass significant financial legislation with little discussion.
The “Philanthropic” Tax Deal
The centerpiece of the evening’s financial agenda was Bill 88-25, a measure establishing a complex property tax credit system for “Port Property,” effectively locking in tax incentives for Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA) for the next four decades.
During the session, District 7 Councilman Todd Crandell, a vocal supporter of the bill, offered a candid explanation of his relationship with the developer. Crandell described a private meeting with TPA executive Aaron Tomarchio where he solicited funds for local amenities.
“I said, ‘I think I found something where you make a huge impact,'” Crandell recounted from the dais. “Couple weeks later I get a call from Aaron, [saying] ‘I got a hundred grand for you.’ … Companies just don’t normally do that.”
Watch the admission here (01:40:00)
Critics argue the “Supplemental Port Development Payment” structure in the bill allows the developer to effectively negotiate its own tax contributions, bypassing standard commercial rates. The bill passed 7-0.
Quiet $100 Million Debt Injection
Overshadowed by the tax debate was a last-minute amendment to Bill 89-25, the county’s Bond Ordinance1. Introduced by Councilmen Julian Jones (District 4) and Wade Kach (District 3), the amendment drastically inflated the borrowing authority for “Parks, Preservation and Greenways”.
According to legislative records, the amendment raised the total cost of projects in that sector from $219 million to over $423 million. The allocation from the county’s General Funds—taxpayer dollars—jumped from $22 million to over $123 million in a single stroke. The massive increase in debt authority was approved without public questions or detailed project breakdowns.
Inspector General’s Parting Warning
The session also marked the final appearance of Inspector General Kelly Madigan, who is resigning to take a position in Howard County. In her farewell testimony, Madigan implicitly criticized the limitations placed on her office by the current administration.
Madigan listed three critical tools she was never granted: “direct” access to county records without legal filtering, a statutory duty to report fraud, and independent legal counsel.
“I hope the next Inspector General does not have to pick and choose which reports to publish,” Madigan told the chamber, referring to the administration’s control over the release of oversight findings.
Watch the IG’s full testimony here (02:08:20) and read The Baltimore County Informer’s in-depth article about her farewell here.
Immigration Bills Spark Outrage
The legislative maneuvering occurred against a backdrop of intense culture-war conflict. Residents lined up to testify against Bills 97-25 and 98-25, dubbed “Sanctuary County” bills by opponents.
Tim Fazenbaker, an Edgemere resident and candidate for County Council, delivered a scathing rebuke of the Council, citing recent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants in the region. “Real men lead, sissies placate,” Fazenbaker stated. “No more illegal aliens.”
Despite the outcry, Councilman Izzy Patoka defended the measures as a moral imperative, citing his faith and a desire to choose “love over hate.”
Watch Councilman Patoka’s response here (02:23:27)
Other Business
The Council also renewed a contract with Urban Development Solutions (UDS) for prisoner transportation services and approved three “on-call” contracts for HVAC services, continuing the county’s trend of outsourcing core operational functions.
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