Baltimore County Council Meeting – March 18, 2026: Pensions, Masks, and Public Testimony

The Baltimore County Council held its seventh legislative day of 2026 on March 18, 2026, in a virtual format due to weather. Councilman Crandall served as chair in place of Chairman Ortell. The council passed bills, confirmed an appointment, heard public comments, and debated controversial measures on law enforcement masks and council pensions.

Consent Calendar

• Journal approval: The journal for March 2, 2026 was approved unanimously.
• Enrollment of bills: Bills 8-26 through 13-26 were enrolled after passage.
• Appointment confirmation: Monique Thompson was confirmed unanimously to the Baltimore County Advisory Committee on Public School Capacity. She expressed her experience with Baltimore City Public Schools and her current role as chief benefits manager for the MTA.
• Fiscal matters 1 through 4: Contracts with United States Tower Services, Bureau Veritas Technical Assessments, Precision Concrete Cutting, and three snow removal contracts were approved unanimously.
• Resolution 9-26: A property tax exemption and partial refund for a blind resident, Martin Walker, was approved unanimously.
• Resolutions 10-26 and 11-26: Introduced only – a donation from University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and arborist services for Cromwell Valley Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fred Homan (former councilmember): Criticized the council for not taking action to unseal the sealed Murray case, which involved a $150,000 payment approved by the council and a subsequent lawsuit. He urged the council to pass a resolution or hire an attorney to unseal the case, and also questioned the county auditor’s qualifications (not a CPA). Councilman Jones responded that he had publicly supported unsealing the case and noted past legislation requiring disclosure of payouts.
• Sharonda Hoffman: Addressed multiple issues including: the council’s “acting surprised” about salary recommendations after the council expansion work group report; her belief that Councilman Ortell voted no on the pension referendum because he suspected problems; the need to record work sessions for ADA compliance and transparency; and the lack of a bill to implement salary commission recommendations, which she urged to be introduced sooner.

Discussion Items

• Bill 15-26 (Smart Growth America Community Connectors grant): Passed unanimously after a motion and second, with no debate.
• Bill 16-26 (Statewide voucher program): Passed unanimously after testimony from Director Hickey.
• Bill 17-26 (Zoning – Owings Mills growth area): Sponsored by Councilman Jones to allow increased uses in vacant buildings. Passed unanimously.
• Bill 18-26 (Masks prohibited for law enforcement officers): Sponsored by Councilman Patoka, who argued ICE officers wear masks to create fear and terror, and that other agencies like Baltimore County Police do not use such tactics. An amendment by the sponsor to exempt Baltimore County law enforcement (police, sheriff, corrections) failed for lack of a second. Councilman Jones questioned whether state police would be included; the secretary clarified the amendment only excluded county law enforcement. After the amendment failed, a motion to pass the bill was made but no second was heard, so the bill failed.
• Bill 19-26 (Employees retirement system – county council members – repeal of Bill 40-24): Sponsored by Councilmen Patoka and Ortell. Councilman Young offered an amendment to tie any future pension changes to the same commission process as salary changes (PSAB review). Patoka opposed the amendment, arguing the repeal should be unconditional. Councilman Crandall expressed support, noting discomfort with council voting on its own compensation. The amendment was motioned and seconded, then passed by a vote with Councilman Patoka dissenting. The bill, as amended, then passed unanimously. Councilman Ortell explained the bill’s intent: Bill 40-24 (2024) had aligned council pensions with the state system, but after the council became full-time (voter-approved in 2024) and the PSAB recommended a higher salary, the council now had more information to reconsider.
• Bill 20-26 (Development impact fee): Sponsored by Councilman Marks. He moved to hold the bill over for two weeks due to lack of consensus on calculation methods. The motion passed unanimously. The bill will be heard at the work session on March 31 and the legislative session on April 6.
• Bill 21-26 (Zoning – catering hall in BL zone): Sponsored by Councilman Marks. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 8-26 (Water and sewer plan amendment – Cycle 43): An amendment by Councilman Patoka to remove a sewer designation change for 8400 Park Heights Avenue (keeping it as S7 instead of S3) passed unanimously. The resolution as amended then passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Monique Thompson confirmed to the public school capacity advisory committee (unanimous).
• Bill 18-26 (law enforcement mask prohibition) failed – no second on the main motion after the exemption amendment failed.
• Bill 19-26 (council pension repeal) passed as amended – the Young amendment will require future pension changes to go through the PSAB commission process.
• Bill 20-26 (development impact fee) held over for two weeks (next work session March 31, 2026).
• Resolution 8-26 amended to keep sewer designation at S7 for 8400 Park Heights Avenue, then passed.
• All other bills and fiscal matters passed without opposition.