Council adopts three ordinances on first reading: leases code, tax rate, and water/sewer rates

The Havre de Grace Mayor and City Council on May 4 introduced and adopted on first reading three ordinances that affect municipal code and resident utility/tax bills.

Ordinance 1220 (new Chapter 105, "Leases") was introduced and adopted on first reading. City Attorney Ms. Ishak told the council the ordinance codifies prior leasing practices and clarifies lease terms that had previously been handled by resolution. The motion to adopt on first reading was moved and seconded and passed by roll call vote 5-0 (Council President Ringsaker, Council members Boyer, Snegus, Booker and Ellis voting yes; Council member Jones absent). A public hearing for Ordinance 1220 is scheduled at the next council meeting on May 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Council also introduced and adopted Ordinance 1221, which fixes the city’s tax rate for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027). Councilmember Ellis stated the real‑property rate "remains at 0.565 per $100." The council set a public hearing on the tax rate ordinance for Monday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. and adopted the ordinance on first reading by roll call vote 5-0.

Finally, Ordinance 1222 establishes the city’s water and sewer rates for the upcoming fiscal year. Councilmember Ellis reported that water rates remain $8.00 per 1,000 gallons and sewer rates remain $10.20 per 1,000 gallons; the ordinance also updates and clarifies the structure and language of the rate schedule while keeping current usage rates consistent. Council adopted the water and sewer ordinance on first reading by roll call vote 5-0; a public hearing will also be held May 11 at 6:00 p.m.

All three measures passed on first reading without amendment. The council recorded unanimous roll-call votes for each first-reading adoption and scheduled the required public hearings on the rate ordinances for May 11 and the leases ordinance public hearing for May 18.