Baltimore County Council Legislative Session - September 16, 2025

The Baltimore County Council convened on September 16, 2025, in a legislative session that included routine approvals, extensive debate on redistricting (Bill 55-25), votes on several bills and resolutions, and public testimony. The central focus was the adoption of a new councilmanic district map, which passed after multiple amendments and contentious discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Journal: The journal from August 4, 2025, was approved unanimously.
• Enrollment of Bills: Bills 43-25, 44-25, 45-25, 48-25, 49-25, and 50-25 were enrolled after being passed by the council and signed by the executive.
• Introduction of Bill 67-25: Sponsored by Councilman Young, regarding zoning regulations in the OR1 zone. Introduced without immediate action.
• Approval of Qualified Individuals for Supervisor of Assessments: The council approved a list of five qualified individuals to be forwarded to the state for the vacant supervisor of assessments position. The motion passed 8-0 (with one vote counted as "one and seven and a half").
• Fiscal Matters 1–4: The council approved an amendment to a contract with Johnson Controls Incorporated, a contract with Easter's Lock and Access Systems Incorporated, and two contracts for automobile rental services. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Asa Johnson: Criticized the redistricting process, alleging a candidate moved into the community to bolster election prospects and that some minority candidates spread false statements. Expressed that the community wants authentic representation, not race-based politics.
• Fred Homan: Discussed a petition to unseal court files related to Inspector General Madigan's lawsuit against former chief of staff Pat Murray. Accused the county administration of a lack of transparency and urged the council to hire outside counsel under Charter Section 510 to investigate and stop wasteful spending from the self-insurance fund.
• Tamara Gunter: Thanked the council and participants, but expressed disappointment that Councilman Young did not tell her the truth about his stance on the map. Urged Democrats to back the right candidate regardless of race, and condemned violence and threats in the process.
• Linda Dorsey Walker: Criticized Councilman Patoka for alleged race-baiting material circulated under his name on a community website. Accused him of failing to identify the source. Predicted that the adopted map would make it impossible to elect an African American from the west side in 2026, and called for accountability from those who voted for it.
• Keith Dorsey: Expressed disappointment that the Woodlawn approach map was not given a fair hearing. Stated that Councilman Urtel had assured him of five votes for that map, which did not materialize. Criticized the final map for breaking up the black community on the west side while not doing the same to white communities on the east side.
• Janetis Barnett: Thanked council members who listened to the Greenlee/Middle River community. Argued that candidates should earn votes through grassroots work, not rely on race-based districting. Encouraged council members to engage directly with all communities.
• Al Barnes: A Randallstown resident since 1984, spoke in support of the Woodlawn plan. Expressed concern that the proposed map could reduce representation.

Discussion Items

• Bill 55-25 – Revision of Councilmanic Districts: The main agenda item sparked extensive debate.

  • Councilman Young’s Amendment: Proposed replacing the bill's map with the redistricting commission's map. Defeated 4-3 (nay: Urtel, Catch, Crandall, Marks; aye: Jones, Young, Patoka).
  • Motion to Extend Debate: Councilman Jones moved to postpone the vote for one to two weeks to allow more public input. The motion was seconded by Councilman Young. Councilman Patoka argued sufficient input had been received (citing 600 emails). Councilman Secretary Boswick noted advertising requirements would push a vote close to the October 1 deadline. The motion failed 4-3 (nay: Urtel, Patoka, Catch, Marks, Crandall; aye: Young, Jones).
  • Councilman Jones’s Amendment: Sought to adjust the map to keep Ricesertown whole and move areas above Old Court Road into District 2. Defeated 4-3 (nay: Urtel, Patoka, Marks, Crandall; aye: Jones, Young, Catch).
  • Patoka‑Urtel Amendment: Proposed creating two majority African American districts and one plurality district on the west side, and making other boundary changes. After sub-amendments:
    • Marks Sub-Amendment: Shifted precincts between districts 5 and 7 to unify communities (Cromwell Valley Park, Jacksonville). Passed 6-1 (nay: Jones).
    • Young Sub-Amendment: Moved precinct 01004 from District 2 to District 1 to avoid splitting at Rolling Road. Passed unanimously 7-0.
    • Amended Patoka‑Urtel Amendment: Passed 7-0.
  • Final Passage of Bill 55-25 as Amended: The bill passed 5-2 (aye: Urtel, Catch, Patoka, Marks, Crandall; nay: Young, Jones). The council secretary noted this satisfied the charter requirement for a supermajority on redistricting.

• Bill 51-25 – Victim Witness Unit Services Current Expense Budget: Passed unanimously 7-0.

• Bill 52-25 – Historical and Architectural Preservation (Demolition Permit): Extended to a future session (September 30 work session, October 6 legislative session) by unanimous vote.

• Bill 53-25 – Maryland Model Floodplain Ordinance: Extended similarly, unanimously.

• Bill 54-25 – Correction of Zoning Map Notice: An administration amendment was incorporated into Councilman Marks’ amendment, which passed, and then the bill as amended passed unanimously 7-0.

• Resolutions:

  • Resolution 42-25 – Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for Melvin Park LP: Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 43-25 – Loan to Turner Station Preservation LLC: A technical amendment passed, then the resolution as amended passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 44-25 – PILOT for Turner Station Preservation: Technical amendment (location and termination date changed from 2026 to 2036) passed, then the resolution as amended passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 45-25 – Amendment to Towson Commercial Revitalization District: Amendment to include a contiguous area south of the original map passed, then the resolution as amended passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 46-25 – Designation of Pikesville as a Sustainable Community: Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Redistricting Map Adopted: Bill 55-25, as amended by the Patoka‑Urtel amendment (including Marks and Young sub‑amendments), passed 5-2. The final map creates two majority African American districts on the west side, one plurality district, and adjusts boundaries in other areas.
• Extension Motions Defeated: Both the Young amendment (to adopt the commission map) and the Jones motion to extend debate failed 4-3.
• Other Bills and Resolutions: All other bills and resolutions passed unanimously with minimal discussion.
• Staff Appreciation: Council members thanked council staff for their work on the redistricting process.
• Public Announcements: Councilman Young announced the departure of his staff member Iman Imron; Councilman Patoka thanked staff including Tom Boswick, Adam Phillips, Teresa Baxter, and Chris Balcastro.