There is a large gap in media coverage regarding what the Baltimore County Government is up to. This is where the Baltimore Informer steps in and cuts through the chaff, to present the nitty gritty details that matter most, so that you don’t have to sit through two hours of video footage.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be digging through older videos/Minutes PDFs, but for now here is the most recent Baltimore County Council Work Session so you know what’s happening in Towson.
The Baltimore County Council advanced a series of costly financial measures, including a 50-year tax break for a major corporate development and a plan to borrow $189 million for future construction projects.
During the November 25 work session, administration officials and council members prepared legislation that will lock taxpayers into decades of financial commitments while leaving key spending accounts without strict limits.
50-Year Tax Break for Corporate Giant
The largest financial decision discussed was Bill 88-25, a tax credit agreement for the massive Sparrows Point container terminal project. The deal creates a “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” (PILOT) structure, meaning the developers Trade Point Atlantic and MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) will pay a negotiated rate instead of the standard property tax rate for the next 50 years.
Under the agreement, the developers’ tax payments will only increase by 2% to 3% each year. With inflation often rising faster than that, the deal guarantees the corporation will pay significantly less in real dollars over time compared to regular taxpayers.
Councilman Julian Jones (District 4) strongly supported the measure, calling the tax break a “no-brainer” because of the potential economic activity the port expansion might bring. Meanwhile, Critics of such deals argue they force ordinary homeowners to shoulder a larger share of the cost for public services while large corporations enjoy fixed, discounted rates.
$189 Million in New Debt
The Council also moved forward with Bill 89-25, a “Bond Ordinance” that authorizes the county to borrow $189 million to fund next year’s construction and maintenance projects.
This borrowing acts like a credit card limit increase for the government. Once approved, the county can issue debt to pay for projects. Repaying this debt, plus interest, will come from future tax revenue.
The borrowing package includes $34 million specifically for the Department of Public Works. This department frequently awards lucrative contracts to private engineering firms for design and management services, a process that requires strict monitoring to prevent conflicts of interest.
“Blank Check” for Snow Removal
Department of Public Works officials confirmed that contracts for snow removal services remain effectively uncapped.
While presenting three new contracts for snow removal vendors, Bureau Chief Tony Russell stated the spending is “based on the appropriated storm emergency budget” rather than a specific limit for each contract.
This means that as long as money remains in the county’s general emergency fund, these contractors can continue to bill the county without returning to the Council for a separate vote. This “blank check” structure removes a critical layer of oversight, making it difficult for taxpayers to track exactly how much each private company is paid during the winter season.
$7.3 Million for Secret Land Deals
The Administration also presented a plan to spend $7.3 million ($5.7 million from county funds) to buy “preservation easements” on 10 properties.
An easement is a payment made to a property owner in exchange for a promise not to develop their land. While the goal is to preserve open space, Planning Director Steve Lafferty did not name the 10 sellers during the public session.
By combining two years of budget money into one massive purchase, the county is moving millions of public dollars to private landowners without immediately disclosing who is receiving the checks.
Zoning Changes and Surveillance
In other business, Councilman Jones introduced Bill 81-25, a zoning law change designed to assist a specific business owner in his district who wishes to open a dog boarding facility but is blocked by current rules. Jones admitted the bill was written to address this single constituent’s problem, a practice known as “spot zoning” that critics say favors connected individuals over fair, uniform planning.
Additionally, the Fire Department is set to receive $1.2 million in grant funding to install surveillance cameras, including at the Board of Elections, raising questions about why emergency responders are tasked with election security monitoring.
