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Frederick County Council approves 21 FY‑2026 Installment Purchase Program applications for land preservation
Summary
The Frederick County Council approved all 21 FY‑2026 Installment Purchase Program (IPP) applications after a staff briefing and public comment; the vote passed 6‑0‑1 with Council Member M.C. Keegan‑Ayer absent.
Shannon O'Neil, Land Preservation Program administrator, and Beth Ahalt, Ag Preservation Specialist II, briefed the Frederick County Council on the FY‑2026 Installment Purchase Program applications. After two public commenters spoke, Council Member Steve McKay moved to approve all 21 applications; Council Member Mason Carter seconded and the motion passed 6-0-1, with Council Member M.C. Keegan‑Ayer absent.
The action covers IPP files numbered IPP #26-01 through IPP #26-21. The IPP program purchases installment interests in agricultural land to preserve farmland; at the Feb. 17 meeting staff provided the applications and project lists before the vote. No individual application was split from the omnibus motion at the meeting.
Council documents show the vote as recorded: six votes in favor, none opposed, and one absence. There were two public speakers listed during the hearing — Naomi Walcott and Dave Bunier — whose remarks were heard before the Council's final motion.
The Council did not amend or delay any of the listed IPP applications; the approvals will be processed by the Office of Agriculture and the Land Preservation Program according to existing program procedures.
