Anne Arundel Council rejects revised rules for special community benefit districts after heated public hearing

The Anne Arundel County Council on June 2 defeated Bill 32-25, an ordinance that would have changed administrative fees and imposed open-meeting and record requirements on special community benefit districts, by a roll-call vote of 0 in favor and 7 opposed.

Sponsor Councilmember Jennifer Radbien introduced the bill and responded at length to public concerns. Radbien said the measure was intended to increase transparency and accountability for SCBDs, mandatory taxing districts that use county tax-bill collection to fund neighborhood services. “No 1 should ever come to testify, in a public meeting and find a bag of dog poop on their front step,” she said during debate, citing testimony about retaliation against residents who raise concerns.

Supporters of the bill—including several residents who described intimidation, withheld…