The Anne Arundel County Council adopted a series of ordinances and resolutions during its Oct. 20, 2025 legislative session. Key actions included passage of personnel reclassifications, amendments to the capital budget, approval of several community college funding petitions to the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the council’s decision to place a binding arbitration charter amendment on a future ballot for voters to decide.

Votes at a glance
- Bill 77‑25 (Personnel / pay & classification changes): Adopted, 7–0. The ordinance makes position reclassifications in the Police Department, Department of Inspections and Permits, and Department of Aging and Disabilities.
- Resolution 30‑25 (Charter amendment: binding arbitration access): Adopted, 7–0. The council voted to place a charter amendment on the November 2026 ballot that, if approved by voters, would allow authorized employee representatives (beyond current public safety units) to use binding interest arbitration when collective bargaining reaches an impasse.
- Bill 67‑25 (Flood plain management, erosion & stormwater; clearing/pruning): Adopted, 7–0.
- Bill 68‑25 (Zoning: animal rescue operations; standards and inspections): Adopted, 7–0.
- Bill 71‑25 (Public campaign financing — disbursement/funding changes): Adopted, 7–0.
- Bill 78‑25 (Capital budget amendments — Odenton TOD phases and MD 170 widening; transfers/supplementals): Adopted, 7–0.
- Resolutions 27‑25 and 28‑25 (Anne Arundel Community College petitions to MHEC for Dragon and Florestano building funding): Both adopted, 7–0.
- Resolution 29‑25 (Request for a Forest Conservation manual from Inspections & Permits): Adopted, 7–0.
- Bill 82‑25 (9‑1‑1 specialist property tax credit): Adopted, 7–0.

Items held or scheduled for further consideration
- Bill 76‑25 (Sidewalk snow & ice removal enforcement): The council held further action; the bill will be heard again on Nov. 3, 2025 after amendments and staff follow‑up. The matter prompted extensive public comment and multiple amendments during the Oct. 20 session.
- Bill 81‑25 (Adequate Public Facilities — transportation APF rewrite): The council voted to hold the measure for additional stakeholder review and discussion; the motion to hold passed and the matter was scheduled for further consideration.

Why it matters
- Employee relations: Resolution 30‑25 refers a charter amendment to voters that would extend access to binding interest arbitration to bargaining units beyond public safety (police and fire). Supporters argued the change brings parity to non‑public safety county employees who do not have the same dispute resolution options; opponents raised concerns about shifting fiscal authority from the council to arbitration outcomes. The resolution will be decided by voters.
- Capital projects and budget: Bill 78‑25 moved county appropriations and transfers tied to the Odenton Mark TOD phases, MD‑170 widening and other capital projects; the council approved the transfers and supplemental appropriations.
- Community facilities and access: The council adopted resolutions supporting community college capital petitions to the Maryland Higher Education Commission and passed a resolution asking Inspections & Permits to produce a forest conservation manual for property owners and HOAs.

Roll‑call and procedure notes
Votes were recorded by roll call in open session. Several bills passed unanimously (7–0). Where motions to hold or to amend passed, the council recorded procedural votes and set future hearing dates. No final county ordinance or tax rate changes requiring additional legislative steps were enacted without separate public notice.

What to watch next
- Resolution 30‑25 (binding arbitration) will be placed on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval or rejection.
- Bill 76‑25 (sidewalk snow & ice removal) and Bill 81‑25 (APF transportation rewrite) will return for additional council consideration and amendment in early November 2025.