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Votes at a glance: Westminster council introduces several ordinances and approves budget and procurement items
Summary
At its meeting, the council introduced ordinances on the FY2026 budget amendment, utility-assessment rate changes, sewer inspections and a zoning map amendment; it approved minutes, the consent calendar, adoption of the site-plan ordinance and authorized a police vehicle purchase under a contract waiver. Most actions were taken by voice vote; details and fees will be presented later for some items.
The Mayor and Common Council conducted a series of legislative actions at the meeting, including introductions of ordinances, approval of routine items and one adopted ordinance.
Key votes and introductions
- Minutes approved: The council approved minutes from the May 11, 2026 mayor and common council meeting and the May 18, 2026 work session by voice vote (motion and second recorded on the record).
- Consent calendar: A six-item consent calendar was approved by voice vote.
- Ordinance 2026-04 (FY2026 budget amendment #2) — introduced: Director of Finance Rogers summarized additional appropriations and corrections to prior transfers, citing specific line items and a total additional appropriation figure in the staff report; the council voted to introduce the ordinance for further consideration.
- Ordinance 2026-05 (utility fee schedule / sewer & water benefit assessment rates) — introduced: City Administrator Imos and staff explained the change is intended to align special benefit assessment rates with system costs as the city prepares for new water capacity. The ordinance was introduced; fee amounts will be part of future proceedings.
- Ordinance 2026-06 (sewer inspections) — introduced: See separate coverage. Council introduced enabling legislation to authorize routine inspections of commercial and industrial wastewater facilities; staff said fine/fee specifics and an operational plan will return to council for adoption.
- Ordinance 2026-07 (zoning map amendment — The Willows) — introduced: A zoning map amendment to reclassify several parcels (totaling approximately 4.731 acres) from R-7,500 to PD-9 to allow a 40-unit planned development (the Willows) was introduced and a public hearing will be scheduled. Planning commission forwarded a favorable recommendation and provided conceptual options for elevations.
- Ordinance 2026-01 (site plan requirements and procedures) — adopted: Council adopted the site-plan ordinance (see main story). Adoption was by voice vote.
- Waiver of competitive procurement and police vehicle purchase — approved: Council waived competitive procurement under the Howard County cooperative contract and approved buying four 2026 Ford police interceptors with emergency equipment through Hendrick Fleet Services under the Howard County contract (440000004546). The police chief said the purchase was included in the FY27 capital budget and staff recommended the waiver and purchase.
What’s next
Several introduced ordinances will return to council for adoption after staff refines implementing details, most notably fee schedules and operational plans for the utility assessment changes and the sewer-inspection program. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2026.
