The Taneytown City Council voted Oct. 8 to create a water relief fund that authorizes up to $20,000 in city matching funds to supplement private donations for assistance to residents who cannot pay water and sewer bills.

Proponents said the program is structured as a matching arrangement and administration would be handled by a third-party nonprofit with experience vetting applicants. The city manager explained the fund "is designed as a matching so that when the private funds come in, that's when we match to to help the fund out." He added implementation will rely on a memorandum of agreement with a nonprofit that already administers similar aid.

Several council members objected to using city money to subsidize utility bills. One council member said, "When we match it with city funds, when we match it with taxpayer dollars, I'm gonna I'm gonna holler about that," and urged reliance on private or church-based charity. Others said the city already works with customers on payment plans and that the matching fund is meant to complement, not replace, existing practices.

Council members also debated the process and timing of the resolution amid broader concerns about last-minute packet items. A motion to table the two resolutions on the council agenda failed for lack of a second; the council then adopted Resolution 2025-17 establishing the water relief fund. The vote was taken by voice; the chair announced the motion carried after vocal ayes and at least one recorded nay.

City staff also gave the council a separate briefing on system water use and well conditions. Public works and the city manager reported elevated water usage over recent months, a number of identified leaks (including a significant EVAPCO leak), and that some wells have been intentionally taken offline due to PFAS contamination. Director of Public Works and staff said pumping hours have increased and that continued dry conditions risk exceeding permitted pumping limits; they recommended targeted conservation outreach rather than a blanket ban and said they are breaking down usage by commercial versus residential customers to better target messages.

Ending: The council adopted the matching water relief fund and directed staff to implement it through a nonprofit partner and to provide an executive memo describing administrative procedures; staff will also continue data analysis and targeted outreach to address increased system demand and well-level constraints.