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Westminster council adopts budget amendment, raises water‑and‑sewer assessment rates and approves wastewater inspection ordinance
Summary
The Westminster Mayor and Common Council adopted three ordinances by voice vote: a fiscal‑year budget amendment, an increase in water and sewer special benefit assessment fees, and a new ordinance authorizing routine inspections of commercial/industrial wastewater discharges (no inspection fee). Council also confirmed two Planning & Zoning appointments.
The Westminster Mayor and Common Council adopted three ordinances and confirmed two appointments during its regular meeting.
The council passed an amended fiscal‑year budget ordinance (2026‑04) to adjust appropriations for the year that ends June 30, 2026. Staff said items in the amendment had previously been reviewed by the council. The ordinance was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; no opposition was recorded.
The council also approved ordinance 2026‑05, which revises the city’s special benefit assessment schedule for water and sewer services. Staff said the changes align assessment rates with current service and system costs and noted the city’s forthcoming additional water resources will support growth. Finance committee members said they compared proposed rates with neighboring jurisdictions and judged the new levels to be appropriate. The ordinance was adopted by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
Finally, council adopted ordinance 2026‑06 to establish routine inspections of commercial and industrial wastewater facilities served by the city and to authorize enforcement measures, including fines for denial of access. Staff noted the ordinance was amended to specify that no fee will be charged for the inspections themselves. The staff presentation stated the measure is intended to support regulatory compliance, reduce operational risk, protect public health and ensure continued permit compliance with the Maryland Department of the Environment. The ordinance was adopted by voice vote; no opposition was recorded.
Votes at a glance • Ordinance 2026‑04 (fiscal year budget amendment): adopted by voice vote; no opposition recorded. • Ordinance 2026‑05 (water/sewer special benefit assessment increases): adopted by voice vote; no opposition recorded. • Ordinance 2026‑06 (wastewater inspections and enforcement; inspections not charged a fee): adopted by voice vote; no opposition recorded. • Appointments to Planning & Zoning Commission (Keon Bay Page and Paris Howard, five‑year terms to June 22, 2031): approved by voice vote; no opposition recorded.
What the council said Staff characterized the budget amendment items as previously vetted and recommended adopting the amendment. On the wastewater inspection ordinance, city administration emphasized the change reflects permit responsibilities and system‑protection goals and explicitly added language that inspections themselves will not be charged a fee.
What happens next Adopted ordinances will be reflected in the city’s records and take effect according to their terms. The council did not record numerical vote tallies in the transcript; all three measures were adopted on voice votes with no recorded opposition.
