Council debates ending free tap‑fee incentive for annexations; motion withdrawn pending ordinance review

Baltimore council members debated whether the village should discontinue a long‑standing practice of offering one free water and one free sewer tap as an incentive in annexation agreements.

A council member explained the incentive had been used in the past to encourage properties to annex during a time when many parcels had private septic and municipal water, making annexation unlikely. With the village now contiguous to areas east of town and sewer and water lines extended, the council member proposed ending the free‑tap incentive.

Several council members questioned whether prior offers had a sunset clause or other time limitation. One member asked staff to check the ordinance and past agreements before any policy change. During the discussion the mover withdrew the motion and asked staff and legal counsel to research the history and language of affected agreements and to return the item to the next meeting for formal consideration.

Council members noted special cases may require carve‑outs (for example, properties forced to connect to municipal sewer after septic failure), and asked staff to propose language to address those scenarios if the council elects to end the general incentive.

No ordinance or new policy was adopted at the meeting; the issue was deferred for research and a future council discussion.