County Council Work Session | October 13th, 2026

The October 13, 2026 Anne Arundel County Council work session addressed several budget, capital, and development matters. Bill 75-26 would correct technical budget errors and transfer funds to backfill a state grant passed through to Annapolis for its 250th anniversary and small-business grants for Empire Towers, funded from the CAO fund. Resolution 34-26 sought state support through the Interagency Committee on School Construction for the school system’s capital program; discussion also covered a possible performing and visual arts high school feasibility study, which was not part of that funding request. The council reviewed the county’s stormwater-permit financial assurance plan: projected annual revenue increases of 3% in FY28 and 5% in subsequent years are estimates, not binding rate decisions, which remain subject to annual budget approval.

The council also considered proposed changes to the public-private redevelopment of 7409 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. The previously selected Sawmill development team and the Economic Development Corporation requested lower density, additional flexibility, and an extension of feasibility through January 31, 2027, citing environmental remediation and title constraints. The EDC reported spending $300,000 on demolition and contaminated-soil work; the deal includes a $1 million purchase price and estimated $4.6 million in off-site improvements. Members questioned the contract-extension authority and whether the revised economics had been fully assessed; officials agreed to provide appraisal and cost-estimate information. No vote on these work-session items is recorded in the transcript. In the subsequent Board of Health presentation, officials described a department budget funded 62% by county general funds and nearly 25% by grants, discussed funding needs for a proposed Brooklyn Park school-based health center, and said a violence-interruption site would be put out to bid. No related spending award or vote is recorded.