Havre de Grace council approves fire funding and multiple ordinances; several budget items, rates introduced

The Havre de Grace Mayor and City Council on Monday adopted a series of ordinances and introduced several budget and rate measures, approving a new method of funding for the Susquehanna Hose Company and enacting changes to subdivision and water/sewer rules.

The council voted 6-0 to set a funding method for the Susquehanna Hose Company at 3.6 cents per $100 of net assessable real property, an amount the council president said will provide about $710,500 annually. Council also adopted ordinances amending the city subdivision regulations to allow administrative waivers for certain relocations of rights-of-way (with an amendment removing the word “utilities”), and updated the water and sewer code to allow enforcement of grease-trap installations.

The measures matter because they affect city services, regulatory enforcement and the municipal budget. The fire funding secures a recurring contribution method for the volunteer department, the subdivision change is intended to streamline administrative action for right-of-way relocations, and the sewer ordinance makes an existing city practice enforceable in code.

Major actions and outcomes

- Ordinance 11-81, method of funding for the Susquehanna Hose Company — Adopted 6-0. The council established the rate at 3.6 cents per $100 of taxable real property; the council president said the change will bring the department to about $710,500 per year. (Mover: Council President; second: Councilmember Boyer.)

- Ordinance 11-82, amendments to Chapter 173 subdivision regulations — Adopted 6-0 after an amendment to delete the word “utilities” from the provision allowing administrative waivers; the amendment was made to limit the administrative waiver to roads and rail rights-of-way, not broader utility expansion. (Mover: Council President; amendment mover: Councilmember Boyer; amendment second: Councilmember Robertson.)

- Ordinance 11-83, amendments to Chapter 198 (water and sewer) regarding grease traps — Adopted 6-0. The ordinance codifies the city’s ability to install grease traps and seek reimbursement if property owners do not install them voluntarily; the change is intended to reduce wear on city sewer infrastructure. (Mover: Councilmember Jones; second: Councilmember Schnegas.)

- Ordinance 11-84, budget amendment to accept and expend donations for a police K‑9 — Adopted 6-0. The ordinance places $10,000 in donations into the FY2025 budget to fund a K‑9 in the police department. (Mover: Councilmember Jones; second: Council President.)

- Ordinance 11-86, budget amendment to receive and expend federal grant funds for a living shoreline project — Introduced and adopted on first reading 6-0. The amendment increases both revenue and expenditure by $2,300,000 for a federal grant to support a living-shoreline project; the council scheduled a public hearing at the May 19 council meeting. (Mover: Councilmember Robertson; second: Council President.)

- Ordinance 11-87, budget amendment reallocating funds in Fund 9 — Introduced and adopted on first reading 6-0; public hearing set for May 19. (Mover: Councilmember Robertson; second: Councilmember Boker.)

- Ordinance 11-88, establishing the city tax rate for FY2026 — Introduced 6-0. The council said the rate is unchanged from the previous year; a separate public hearing will be held on May 12. (Mover: Councilmember Robertson; second: Council President.)

- Ordinance 11-89, establishing water and sewer rates for FY2026 — Introduced 6-0. The Water and Sewer Commission’s recommended rates were introduced; a public hearing is set for May 12. (Mover: Councilmember Boker; second: Councilmember Schneggis.)

Other council business

- The council adopted Calendar Resolution 2025-07, approving a memorandum of understanding with the Havre de Grace Arts Collective for management and promotion of the Arts & Entertainment District (roll call 6-0).

- The council approved multiple commission appointments and reappointments by consent (Arts Commission, Economic Development Advisory Board, Water and Sewer Commission chair reappointment). Appointments were approved 6-0.

- The council approved amendments to the Relay for Life event application to allow a 40-by-40 tent to be set up a day early and to allow earlier on-site setup time; the vote was 6-0.

What the votes did not decide

Several measures were introduced on first reading (the tax- and water/sewer-rate ordinances and two budget reallocations). Those items require a public hearing before the council’s next full consideration, and the living-shoreline budget amendment will have a public hearing on May 19.

Ending

Roll-call votes were recorded for each measure; where the record shows a roll call the meeting minutes list each council member’s recorded “yes.” The council president, councilmembers Robertson, Boger, Jones, Boyer and Shenagas (six members present) voted in favor on the listed items.