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Council defeats cuts to electric bus and electric ferry funding
Summary
On June 9 the Anne Arundel County Council rejected amendments that would have reduced FY26 PAYGO funding for an electric bus fleet and an electric ferry program, leaving the administration's proposed funding intact.
At the June 9 meeting of the Anne Arundel County Council, members voted down amendments that would have reduced county PAYGO funding for two electric-transit projects: an electric bus fleet and an electric ferry program.
The sponsors of the cuts, led by Councilmember Volke, proposed reducing FY26 PAYGO by $420,000 for the electric bus program and by $1 million for the electric ferry program. Budget officer Chris Trumbauer told the council the administration opposed both amendments and said the bus funding was part of a recurring program supporting the county’s electric-vehicle goals. “We are working with the resilience authority and the central services department to achieve our 0 emission goals in electric vehicles,” Trumbauer said.
Council debate centered on two issues: the projects’ expected operating costs and the extent to which county funding leverages federal grants. Councilmember Volke argued the reductions would free PAYGO dollars for other priorities, including public safety, and said he was unsure federal grants for the ferry were guaranteed. Trumbauer replied the county had no notice the federal grant was at risk and that the county’s $1 million was intended to leverage about $3.9 million in federal funding, warning that removing the county match could jeopardize the grant.
Several council members also stressed prior council action and county policy supporting fleet electrification. One member said the proposed cuts “would really be working against the legislation this council has already passed,” noting an earlier executive order and council action to transition county fleet vehicles.
On the electric bus amendment (FY26 PAYGO reduction of $420,000), the council defeated the amendment by roll call; three members voted in favor and four opposed. On the electric ferry amendment (FY26 PAYGO reduction of $1,000,000), the council also defeated the amendment by roll call, three in favor and four opposed. The administration said it would continue monitoring the federal grant situation and notify the council if circumstances change.
The council’s votes keep the FY26 funding levels for both electric-transit projects as proposed in the county executive’s budget.
