Sharpsburg holds public hearing on charter and ethics code changes; no public comment

The Sharpsburg Mayor and Council met July 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall to take public comment on two proposed charter amendments and one proposed code amendment, the council said. In attendance were Mayor Russell Weaver, Vice Mayor Jacob Martz and Councilmembers Ed Beeler, Joseph Kudla and Heather Waters; Town Administrator Debra Smith and Zoning Administrator Tim Lung participated, the record shows.

Charter Amendment Resolution 25-001 would change Article 6, Section 622 (Purchasing and Contracts) to raise the dollar threshold that triggers a written contract and sealed-bid requirements from $10,000 to $20,000. The council said the amendment increases the minimum expenditure amount requiring submission of a written contract and sealed bids to expenditures involving more than $20,000.

Charter Amendment Resolution 25-002 would amend Article 12, Section 1203 (Conflict of Interest). Under the proposed language, an elected official could be granted an exemption from the charter's conflict-of-interest prohibition by a resolution of disinterested council members if the council finds such an exemption would not be contrary to the section's purposes, would not be detrimental to impartial town business, and that strict application would significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service. The amendment preserves participation by an official or employee when that participation is limited to an administrative or ministerial duty that does not affect the decision.

Ordinance 25-002 would repeal Chapter 9, the town's Code of Ethics/Financial Disclosure, in its entirety. The council noted the town has been determined exempt by the Maryland State Ethics Commission and stated that a local ethics ordinance could, in the council's view, significantly reduce the availability of qualified candidates for local office, particularly if the charter exemption in Resolution 25-002 were adopted.

The council described the next steps for the charter amendments: if the council adopts the amendments at its regular meeting, a fair summary will be published for four weekly intervals within 40 days; a petition challenging the amendments must be received on or before Aug. 22, 2025, otherwise the amendments would become effective on Sept. 2, 2025 (the 50th day). The public hearing record shows the floor was opened for citizen comment; none were received and the hearing was closed at 6:07 p.m. The minutes were submitted at the end of the record by Debra A. Valentine-Smith, identified in the transcript as Town Administrator.

The council's packet and the published fair summaries will provide further procedural details on adoption and any administrative or ministerial exceptions that may apply; the council is scheduled to consider final action at its next regular meeting.