[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6287549,"mediaKeyId","2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83","parentId",2550024,"title","Council debates draft rules changes: midnight cutoff, virtual testimony and evaluation procedures among topics","audioSeconds",1821,"startMs",5071000,"endMs",6892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83&start=5071&end=6892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83/thumbnail_5071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287549/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Council-debates-draft-rules-changes-midnight-cutoff-virtual-testimony-and-evaluation-procedures-among-topics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287549-9b10b8730606f9d1cb3624f11fae2513/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175074&Signature=SgV~nG-LGDGxrt3JWokFRs-IQvIQ87voQ9IQABuvDkkGj6d-qyqp1u6AL5eg5Lk53VA7Zo50Vb8zdgWVxn5rERgJeL2H6A~IUIuEmzBt9MvCg9G0uGiB7fUe1dJVhghPW1Irg6x3IiUulP-Tr-f72ZHJxIhfbG~99E6wokd0TLEGVu-7Vz~v9~rPaRqxCl7LP8bN4wlaU8zvmBUqYeom4CVc8DT2sGEZVlsSJJSrZ5m~0As4WQY7uls14RfUs~mkUsBL9gG4M9OqLJM6slM9TjBScCjii4isFP~A8nBV~aglaUuaGnNu67t1gYQgZzwZeO1-WQ-kHRHYBS09ouMgiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Anne Arundel County, MD","date","2025-03-11T21:40:51Z","article","Council members spent a substantial portion of the March 11 work session reviewing proposed revisions to the Anne Arundel County Council’s rules and procedures.

The draft includes several notable proposals: raising the threshold for changing council rules to a five‑member vote; imposing a 25‑ballot limit when filling a council vacancy; updating evaluations for the council’s appointed officers; and a change that would allow the “legislative day” to extend beyond midnight so work could continue into the next calendar day. The draft also relocates and reorganizes the public‑participation rules and introduces optional language permitting members of the public to participate remotely if technology allows.

Council members debated the legislative‑day proposal at length. Some members, including Ms. Rabia and Ms. Ledbetter, said the arbitrary midnight cutoff can impede the council’s ability to finish lengthy matters and that extending the day (or recessing to continue later the same day) could provide needed flexibility. Others, including Mr. Volkke and Mr. Mulkey, cautioned that meetings past midnight produce fatigue, risk poorer decision‑making, and can be inaccessible to the public. Several members proposed compromise options: allowing an extension by a vote (some suggested a supermajority, others a simple majority), or providing ad hoc discretion for the chair in extenuating circumstances.

The draft’s virtual‑participation language prompted discussion about accessibility, logistics and safeguards. Members expressed support for making the council more accessible by permitting remote testimony in some circumstances, but raised concerns about moderation, technology capacity, the potential for inappropriate disruptions, and the administrative burden of managing remote speakers. The council discussed but did not endorse lottery mechanisms for virtual speakers; several members warned that treating virtual testimony differently from in‑person testimony could be perceived as unequal access.

On personnel matters, the proposed rules would clarify the evaluation process for council‑appointed positions (administrative officer, legislative counsel and deputy administrative officer). Members discussed whether the administrative officer should participate in the deputy’s evaluation and whether evaluations should solicit input from all appointed officers. The ad hoc personnel committee was cited as the appropriate venue to refine evaluation language before formal adoption.

Council members asked staff to consolidate the competing drafting proposals, and several asked that the ad hoc personnel committee and staff outline recommended procedures for virtual participation, amendment filing deadlines and thresholds for extending legislative sessions. The draft will be revised and circulated for additional review before the council considers enacting changes; no rule changes were adopted at the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Work Session | March 11th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members reviewed a proposed rewrite of the council’s rules on March 11 that would add a five‑member threshold to change rules, cap vacancy ballot rounds, allow remote public testimony where technology permits and permit the legislative day to extend beyond midnight under specified conditions.","taxTitle","Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",3779,"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},6287553,"County administration asks council to approve $4.2 million in second-quarter transfers; waste strike drove emergency curbside costs",729,3217000,3946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83&start=3217&end=3946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83/thumbnail_3217000.jpg","/articles/6287553/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/County-administration-asks-council-to-approve-42-million-in-second-quarter-transfers-waste-strike-drove-emergency-curbside-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287553-5e1d171d7ebc3d3380343c1114bf2e08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175074&Signature=Uz4j4RWgZwjO8KLeUFXXWvLNX6jT7D~X6TyIkO6VuR3ZUNpI2UKLT~TgnZeK6qK8H3KhcFUCp5qxkQlBdo8fHQB-ysFTqW4YBJXHNhF6lPB91ZwXgRBA2rMbgPrnSpvXoP2th7r~8lmhONAucfnFAUyNwyIBoMe3iLdfg1zWaYKOHhxxgm0kNFtCdp4KtBoZEMWRDgu6C0mxzabyPiU5lKUuOlM-mJ3RM5CWsuzO2QBauLork76J4GvFH0JL08DQU6tqOskz7jOwVFjeH-jM2o9FC5fWXEUrBVmw45zBsxz2Rr7cbwcIdkOmLQnOWKaoWrctgeeyvdqfJayBt8xBHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ethan Hunt, representing the county administration, told the Anne Arundel County Council on March 11 that Bill 19-25 would approve a series of second‑quarter transfers and supplementary appropriations for fiscal 2025 to reconcile unanticipated costs and fund department priorities.

Hunt said the ordinance would appropriate $481,600 from unappropriated fund balance in the community development fund to reimburse the FY23 Emergency Rental Assistance Program; $598,500 from the Farmington Village Special Tax District Fund tied to bond redemption and a general fund transfer; $769,000 from the Waste Collection Fund for emergency curbside collection after a contractor strike; $2,960,100 in the general fund transferred from CAO contingency to the Department of Public Works for snow removal; and $400,000 in the library fund from unappropriated fund balance for library operational needs and expansion items.

Christian Bender and Rich Bowen of Public Works told the council the curbside emergency cost arose after Ecology Services’ workers went on strike; the county arranged emergency service coverage and later rebid service areas. Bowen said the contract’s force‑majeure language meant the county could not recoup strike‑related costs from the contractor. The total emergency contract exposure cited in discussion was about $8.4 million before savings and grants were applied. Administration witnesses said about $3.0 million of that exposure was avoided because the county did not pay striking contractors for time not worked; $3.3 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds were available; and net shortfall after offsets was roughly $700,000, which is the amount requested in the transfer.

Hunt said the administration has added a new clause to future contracts requiring successful bidders that use union labor to have a labor agreement covering the same term as the county contract so a future strike does not create the same coverage gap.

Councilmembers asked for more detail on the farmington special tax district appropriation; Hunt explained the district paid off a bond (about $500,000) and excess revenue (about $100,000) reverts to the general fund. Library leaders said $200,000 in the library fund appropriation would cover a previously unbudgeted outside labor attorney related to unionization matters and other library priorities.

Councilmember Volkke questioned the force‑majeure outcome and called it disappointing; Public Works staff described contract and procurement changes meant to reduce future risk. The council did not take a final vote during the work session; administration staff were present to answer follow-up questions.

No formal vote on the ordinance was recorded at the work session; the bill will return for council action on a legislative agenda.","The administration asked the Anne Arundel County Council to approve supplementary FY2025 transfers that include $769,000 for emergency curbside collection after a contractor strike and $2.96 million for snow removal.",{"_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},6287558,"Anne Arundel County police chief warns staffing shortfalls persist despite recruiting gains",2705,112000,2817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83&start=112&end=2817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2550024-80dc8451491001261a8ee06bd3b06c83/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6287558/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Anne-Arundel-County-police-chief-warns-staffing-shortfalls-persist-despite-recruiting-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287558-99f81bd7c3fc4483c4cdc6bac5f68649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175074&Signature=d~eDy2Df6xTz8YikiXxsr0z8Sw2Mg2A94YIwItuSUuqIH7uE~r~FtOc2uHC2TsHeLCsvz7VBjjwXo3KLVa2CbNtCulrnyYz2qsL3DDx9PALlPLQowNbSBiiMGnPlpyfRwxjLZ8fslY~9HMJJsRM2fp7oe5NCpONe4zqmcovqmg2lRQVynP~2B4RYNgGe65~zYVsVFG6hj3JfSINOiiLflwaPyP0XxkxJUsTV-sIlpf6MIYm2PM85uKKKHa3Ng3w9~niz1WPEKymahkR0oT~sciZjmHCr4e9GawCX3rdr7-LlxMrhxfT1fFqtzpw5ecZmbm0U1P6B-a1M2pg-Z6Stpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Atwood told the Anne Arundel County Council on March 11 that the Police Department is authorized for 809 sworn officers but still has 51 vacancies and 121 officers in “not operational” status, a category the department uses for officers out of duty 30 days or more for reasons such as medical leave, military deployment or academy training.

Atwood said the 121 figure includes the 51 vacancies and that the number of non-operational officers fluctuates; the department’s five-year monthly average of non-operational officers is about 35. He told the council that typical annual separations average about 50 sworn officers per year because of retirements, resignations and terminations.

The chief and members of his executive team described a mix of short- and longer-term responses aimed at reducing the staffing gap. Among measures cited were raising starting pay to $70,000, offering a $10,000 hiring bonus, a $1,000 referral bonus, expanding pre-hire and academy supports, shortening the hiring pipeline and targeted recruiting events.

Atwood said the department’s prior International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) staffing study in 2017 recommended an authorized strength of 824 officers. The county’s internal 2023 analysis, using the IACP methodology and accounting for population growth and new responsibilities such as body-worn cameras and use-of-force reporting, recommended an authorized strength of 1,187 officers.

The council pressed department leaders on retirement risk and retention. Councilmember Smith said the county should aim for a larger authorized force to enable consistent community policing across districts. Councilmember Pickard and others asked about academy scheduling and training supports; the department said its 100th recruit class has 10 officers and the 101st class begins March 27 with 20 recruits, and that recruits receive written-exam preparation, on-site fitness training and other supports to improve pass rates.

Assistant Chief Bill Lowery and recruiter Corporal Josh DeBrock described outreach efforts, including making the written exam available online with proctoring, targeted recruitment at job fairs and focused work to bring lateral hires into the county. The department said it reduced the typical hiring timeline from nine months toward a goal of three months, while remaining selective to maintain standards.

Chief Atwood and council members also discussed the Real Time Information Center, which the department plans to staff 24/7 as a force multiplier for patrol once staffing permits. Atwood emphasized that technology supports officers but does not replace patrol presence.

Atwood summarized risk factors: a nationwide decline in applicants since about 2019–2020, a sizable share of senior officers eligible for retirement and recurring operational demands such as cross-jurisdictional investigations and seasonal public events that divert patrol resources. He said progress is visible in rising academy numbers and recruitment changes, but restoring specialized units and sustained community policing will depend on continued hiring and retention.

The presentation drew supportive remarks from several council members who said residents want more visible policing and urged continued focus on recruitment and the Real Time Information Center staffing.

The council did not take formal action in session on staffing numbers; the briefing was presented for information and follow-up questions.","Police Chief Atwood told the County Council the department remains authorized for 809 sworn officers but still faces 51 vacancies and 121 officers in \"not operational\" status, and described steps underway — including pay increases, pre-hire programs and recruiting changes — to rebuild staffing and specialized units.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates draft rules changes: midnight cutoff, virtual testimony and evaluation procedures among topics

County administration asks council to approve $4.2 million in second-quarter transfers; waste strike drove emergency curbside costs

Anne Arundel County police chief warns staffing shortfalls persist despite recruiting gains