[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6373931,"mediaKeyId","2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a","parentId",2145336,"title","Greater Bowie Chamber requests $25,000 from Bowie for veteran‑business directory and 'Shop Local Bowie'; council asks for more detail","audioSeconds",348,"startMs",9071000,"endMs",9419000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a&start=9071&end=9419","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a/thumbnail_9071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373931/Bowie/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Greater-Bowie-Chamber-requests-25000-from-Bowie-for-veteranbusiness-directory-and-Shop-Local-Bowie-council-asks-for-more-detail","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373931-608df2809759ff3f8cb5cdcc14ad8e78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113701&Signature=RF2Yqb1kiuuDEBGQV42VYEpSUEJws9uAsdqtaxAVforM~-qSHGzfkHwpTAQpg~cZ2H2OyNKtQyyDQs9R0HU7Ci0pMNxL0zCxOwQex6NM6Ipfv9auJAwjXkvmz-c-EQ4fxLJWbWiv6HHOSPuYJy0VTTQx5KlVANALQZ7iP0019gIQ3QQs8-eCIzi9BbCD8BfHLWpBKKGjAuw9XUvT3KsEpLTDXbgfxUvUBtjoXlpjwPVx~atuxLGedPVjiado7chNW8QWWczlzHcQJkmKFzkwYdpQfWB7V4V5gfbkh-NxeF9zjmCxXWF1YEYD~za9jBleOh6gZcvRej3TNF87YQ5DEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bowie, MD","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce asked the City of Bowie for a $25,000 grant to fund two initiatives: creation of a searchable local directory of veteran‑owned businesses and an implementation of a “Shop Local Bowie” marketing campaign and small‑business cohort support.

Michael White (St. John Properties and vice president of the chamber) and Patricia “Trish” Watson (associate director and CEO‑advocate for the chamber’s management team) described plans to rebuild the chamber’s online presence, create a local business directory that highlights veteran‑, minority‑ and women‑owned enterprises, and revive networking and signature events. Daryl Carrington, executive director of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, explained the chamber expects to work in partnership with Prince George’s County Department of Veterans Affairs and the Maryland Women's Business Center; he said the total program cost is likely larger than $25,000 and that the city’s request would help underwrite start‑up and administrative capacity.

Council reaction and next steps
Council members said the objectives are worthwhile but asked for more specificity before approving city funds. Requests included: a clear budget breakdown showing how the $25,000 would be spent (administrative costs, platform development, outreach/marketing), measurable KPIs and deliverables, a listing of other financial partners and membership contributions (skin in the game), and a reporting cadence (quarterly suggested). Council members asked city staff and Economic Development staff to work with the chamber and return with a more detailed, action‑oriented proposal and documentation of matching or committed funding from partners.

Why it matters: the proposed initiatives aim to make it easier for residents and city staff to locate and support local veteran, minority and women business owners, and to strengthen the city’s small business ecosystem. Council members signaled support for the concept but made clear they need a more complete implementation plan and evidence of broader financial participation before directing budgeted funds.

Ending
City staff agreed to work with the chamber and return with a more detailed proposal including KPIs, budget specifics and partner commitments. The council did not approve an appropriation at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting - Monday, January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce requested $25,000 from the city to create a veteran‑owned business directory and a Shop Local Bowie marketing program; council members and staff asked for a more detailed implementation plan, KPIs, budget breakdown and matching commitments before any appropriation.","taxTitle","Bowie, Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",4106,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373936,"Bowie council unanimously opposes Dew Drive connection for Redeem Christian Church subdivision",3727,5049000,8776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a&start=5049&end=8776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a/thumbnail_5049000.jpg","/articles/6373936/Bowie/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Bowie-council-unanimously-opposes-Dew-Drive-connection-for-Redeem-Christian-Church-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373936-2c13fd9d9c60ccd6aa644bfac6a22d00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113701&Signature=EP9sWyZvMZMJxaMlKFSvhBfThab1EdTXudL2k~Ykf6LgJJs8LOjQC5rFn59p1mD0vCJZ8XGmrHJbVK7D~XJ8FoXcFcRY7poOSN4Ht0w5Dp8IeCPxFdftOsaJbPRwO8U0LURYMO9IL2aqH6W-uixhhoI9HbWXOmC9IzpHk5aIFVYI1RQ9e1BXPRixPqOq6LDem06kH-vCRZtmbivA9RENPe8xepqK8mN7w9ysGG1PhUH1qZ4N4Oguy9RagDcNzMfCug8kf1SWwY~vXooHW58IvvMcdHqTmASi651DvZI7uiWFQvsY-jzcVD10YadcEUtnM~XwMd0v1mZ7ouIm~pL2VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bowie City Council voted unanimously to oppose an extension of Dew Drive to serve eight residential lots included in Prince George’s County preliminary plan of subdivision PPS4‑23041, a plan tied to a larger institutional parcel for Redeem Christian Church of God.

The preliminary plan covers roughly 31.5 acres southeast of the Mount Oak–Church Road intersection, outside the city limits but abutting the City of Bowie. The application included parcel A for an institutional use (the church) and a separate parcel for eight single‑family lots that would extend Dew Drive — a narrow residential street inside Bowie — into the new subdivision. County staff and the planning board approved the PPS with conditions; condition 5A asked the applicant to meet with the city on maintenance and services for the Dew Drive extension and required city concurrence if the county were to expect the city’s systems (trash, snow removal, maintenance) to serve the extended roadway.

Why it matters: neighbors said the Dew Drive connection would increase traffic, threaten tree buffers, and reduce neighborhood safety and property values. Residents and the Woodmore Estates Homeowners Association urged the council to refuse the connection and asked the city to protect the existing wooded buffer and narrow residential character.

Applicant and staff summaries
Paul Jackson, counsel for the applicant (Redeem Christian Church), described why the applicant sought access via Dew Drive rather than directly on Mount Oak Road: engineering studies cited intersection sight‑distance issues and offsets that made a Mount Oak entrance unsafe. Ashley Diaz, the city’s sustainability manager, summarized the planning board approval and the county’s condition that required the applicant to obtain agreements about maintenance and access with the city and with county public works.

Public comments and council reaction
Dozens of residents — including longtime Dew Drive and Woodmore Estates homeowners — spoke in opposition. Resident Derek Plummer said the applicant and representatives showed “a contempt for the residents of Woodmore Estates,” citing failed traffic studies and environmental concerns. Woodmore Estates HOA president George Oyagoke urged the council to maintain the wooded fence line and to refuse any connection that would remove existing forest and invite additional traffic. Other speakers cited emergency response and flooding concerns, loss of mature trees, and the proximity of many existing churches in the area.

Council action
Councilman Truesdale moved to oppose the requested access to Dew Drive for PPS4‑23041; Council member Brady seconded. Council voted unanimously to block the connection. City discussion noted that if the city declines the requested connection, the residential portion may remain an outparcel and the applicant would need to submit a revised preliminary plan showing access from Mount Oak Road (a future county process), as noted in the county staff report.

Clarifying details from the meeting
- The county planning board approved the PPS with conditions but required coordination with the city on maintenance and access for Dew Drive (condition 5A).
- Residents and city speakers said traffic studies submitted with the application failed multiple internal steps and that the plan proposes off‑site woodland mitigation rather than preserving on‑site woodland.

Ending
The council’s unanimous vote blocks the county plan’s requested connection into a Bowie residential street; the developer may either pursue alternatives that access Mount Oak Road or keep the residential area as an outparcel pending further county review.","After extensive public comment from Woodmore Estates residents about traffic, tree loss and safety, the council voted unanimously to oppose connecting the subdivision’s eight residential lots to Dew Drive (PPS4‑23041). The county had approved the preliminary plan with conditions that required the city’s agreement on maintenance and access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373941,"Council approves detailed site plan for Chipotle at Mill Branch Crossing; drive‑through will be pickup‑only",1497,3345000,4842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a&start=3345&end=4842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a/thumbnail_3345000.jpg","/articles/6373941/Bowie/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Council-approves-detailed-site-plan-for-Chipotle-at-Mill-Branch-Crossing-drivethrough-will-be-pickuponly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373941-122eb0c3b31ee14ddf44cc3640494d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113701&Signature=mSegeulrBH1gcT1bj~woLkSJ0fUbDqs0NX5kJx~bxUvytWh~3nStxeaWD-8nmamBuJ1qmBk1mGhSApDCdu04DadhZ2u5n~ktIwTmOjReFDnqTnYZSQ-RqIHNmyqJkz1wKuExE5PlaH2MWHXldr1BmTw~8rwczEVLcenCltYiFrzKlHZxtDajDwq-0fDzRg~BW~MlSnq78sGA4tkG0QCpLdSJj9rlcvti9QvHmmL-a0LOh5EONRguLq0KcPdL7NRdOTI9S9UvBul5KadwZj~XZ7Z5xszfTDSBXvaQK2mYR2Aduozk7cP~gOyvcdOA0eMGcg5xLqoeBOoaLH-Runfodw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Bowie council voted to approve a detailed site plan revision for Mill Branch Crossing that will allow a 2,335‑square‑foot Chipotle restaurant with a pickup‑only drive‑through.

Reverend Koger, the city’s transportation planner, introduced the detailed site plan (DSP‑20003‑03) and said staff reviewed agency comments, including two explicit recommendations: provide a minimum of two bike racks near the restaurant entrance and submit a trip‑generation matrix showing the proposed development compared with the approved trip cap. He also noted that the Bowie Advisory Planning Board unanimously recommended approval at its December 10 meeting.

Edward Gibbs, counsel for Green Branch LLC (master developer of Mill Branch Crossing), detailed the proposal and said the Chipotle would sit on roughly 0.86 acres taken from two outlots in the larger development. Gibbs explained the Chipotle’s drive‑through design is limited to customers who order ahead remotely: “You can only order remotely ahead of time and then you can come through the drive thru lane to pick up your meal and take it with you,” he said, describing the tenant’s operational model.

Why it matters: the site is part of a larger, ongoing mixed‑use development across from Walmart on US‑301; the plan includes townhouses and additional retail outlots. The site plan approval lets the developer proceed to final platting for the Chipotle parcel and continue leasing and construction activities on the retail edge of the complex.

Planning status and conditions
County planning review is scheduled for Jan. 30. Staff flagged two review items that were also reflected in the applicant’s materials: required bike racks and a trip generation matrix. The Bowie Advisory Planning Board reviewed the plan and moved unanimously to recommend approval subject to those recommendations.

Council action
The council took a motion to accept the detailed site plan as presented and approved it by roll call. The recorded tally was four in favor, one opposed and two abstentions; the motion carried and the site plan was approved.

Developer and next steps
Green Branch LLC and its representatives said the next step after council and county approvals will be record platting of the Chipotle parcel (part of outlots 8 and 9) and continued work on the inline retail building immediately adjacent to the Chipotle site.

Ending
With council approval the applicant may file a final plat and move toward permit and construction activities pending county actions and the applicant’s compliance with the outlined site plan recommendations.","Council approved DSP‑20003‑03 for a 2,335‑square‑foot Chipotle with a pickup‑only drive‑through at Mill Branch Crossing. The Bowie Advisory Planning Board had recommended approval; the county planning board review is scheduled for Jan. 30.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373945,"Bowie city manager lays out FY26 budget framework, warns of ‘tipping point’ in 2026",1695,13000,1708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a&start=13&end=1708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145336-d94b587394b2789d8f7c51964438540a/thumbnail_13000.jpg","/articles/6373945/Bowie/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Bowie-city-manager-lays-out-FY26-budget-framework-warns-of-tipping-point-in-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373945-e2502603bcd5344b8de2d90dfc61d655/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113701&Signature=TOFuYRDLSytXR0Uy0VfAsarXJIR6krHccypfCoyfBSzgzm9FztrLDJAEu9XLTeyDzU74yHjUljKtQoVZaO4tG~8vs2EBlOc9MKUCXZlvBmSRsZ1~z2L86YihpKZW8YiKVcSZwcFmDRxZ5rZ5IRUnRMesasSSJVGSMYbL2eLK4ikYOa~jc7w9tJ9UEdcbptKyhpp6Qv3onmRGQvmz1lxzhG3mTP4PfWnEYCjFLYC9O7VyhjBVd345~pQMFx0pQkqsBtGufBfdJvH50HEcnyNO093qxOkPBAq2P-oNyndmTRsZIDO-O586gstYwhAFq3XniBvj84-rHlf8bVCUqs2JAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Byron Matthews, city manager for the City of Bowie, presented the city’s fiscal 2026 budget guidance and five‑year projections, saying the city faces a likely “tipping point” in 2026 if current trends continue.

Matthews told the council the city has maintained a flat property tax rate for 14 years while continuing to provide core services and fund new development, and he outlined personnel and fund‑balance trends that inform the FY26 framework. “We see that in this current projection, that tipping point is gonna be in 2026,” Matthews said, referring to the point when recurring expenditures could outpace recurring revenues under the current plan.

The guidance explained that personnel is the largest portion of the general fund (about 54 percent), and that personnel headcount grew an average of about six positions per year over the last decade. Matthews described the city as a “pay‑as‑you‑go” jurisdiction that finances many capital projects from fund balance rather than long‑term borrowing, and he noted proposed tax increases in the five‑year projection: a 10‑cent increase per $100 of assessed value in 2026 and an additional 5 cents in 2028 (proposed, subject to council action).

Why it matters: the presentation set parameters the city manager will use to prepare a balanced budget for delivery to council in April under the city charter deadline. The numbers and scenario projections framed council members’ requests for further analysis and specific policy choices — particularly on public safety staffing, capital project timing and possible new revenue ideas.

Key points and numbers
- Personnel: average increase of about six positions per year over the last 10 years.
- Personnel costs represent roughly 54% of the general fund budget.
- Proposed tax projection in the document: 10¢ per $100 of assessed value in 2026, plus 5¢ in 2028 (proposal originating in the adopted 2025 budget projections).
- FY24 general fund expenditures: about $64,000,000; ending general fund balance reported at roughly $47,000,000, with about $18,000,000 unassigned.
- Assessed taxable property value at end of FY24: about $8,800,000,000.
- Fiscal policies described: fund balance minimum at 25% of annual expenditures; tax‑supported bond debt limited to 8% of assessed valuation; debt service ratio target not to exceed 10% of general fund revenues.

Council discussion and priorities
Council members pressed staff for scenario modeling and for options that will extend the year in which revenues and expenditures come back into balance. Councilwoman Rogers asked whether a model existed showing when expenditures would exceed revenues under current trends; Matthews pointed the council to projection pages in the adopted budget book and reiterated the 2026 projection.

Council members emphasized several priorities for the coming budget cycle: fully funding core services (police, parks, trash collection, snow removal), examining debt affordability and the capital improvement program (CIP) financing strategy, and considering whether to temporarily postpone or reschedule some capital projects to avoid unsustainable transfers from the general fund to the CIP. Several members urged that public safety staffing receive particular attention. Council member Brady noted the department’s current staffing level and recommended analysis of the cost to add officers over multiple years: “We only have 65 or so for a population of 65,000,” Brady said.

Other policy suggestions and requests included:
- Explore nontraditional revenue ideas such as large solar installations on city‑owned or county‑ controlled parcels; examine feasibility of rooftop and parking‑lot arrays to generate revenue or lower operating costs.
- Continue emphasis on water and sewer recapitalization; request a lessons‑learned briefing on recent regional water outages to confirm risks and preparedness.
- Expand recycling collection services to include food waste and yard waste if fiscally feasible and supported by grant opportunities.
- Reimagine Bowie Town Center as a longer‑term strategic initiative to spur economic development and expand the tax base; the council asked staff to identify modest budget objectives to start the planning process.

Next steps and timeline
Matthews said he will deliver a balanced proposed budget to council by the city charter date in April and that council should expect two budget work sessions and public hearings in April–May before a mid‑May adoption is typical. Council members asked for additional scenario models, clearer revenue forecasts (including any third‑party data on income tax projections), and a detailed analysis of incremental costs associated with new developments such as South Lake Milford.

Ending
The presentation closed with an administrative reminder that staff will return with the proposed FY26 budget and that the council’s feedback tonight will be incorporated into the manager’s April submission. Matthews also noted that a police staffing update will be provided by the chief at the council’s February 3 meeting.","City Manager Byron Matthews presented FY26 budget guidance showing personnel growth, a strong fund balance and possible tax rate changes; council members pressed for scenario modeling and prioritized public safety staffing, recycling expansion and economic development steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Greater Bowie Chamber requests $25,000 from Bowie for veteran‑business directory and 'Shop Local Bowie'; council asks for more detail

Bowie council unanimously opposes Dew Drive connection for Redeem Christian Church subdivision

Council approves detailed site plan for Chipotle at Mill Branch Crossing; drive‑through will be pickup‑only

Bowie city manager lays out FY26 budget framework, warns of ‘tipping point’ in 2026