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Sharpsburg council adopts two charter amendments and repeals local ethics provision; both measures recorded as carried 4-0
Summary
The Sharpsburg Council passed Charter Amendment Resolutions 25-001 and 25-002 and Ordinance 25-002 (repealing the town's Chapter 9 ethics/financial disclosure provision). The resolutions will be published for a 40-day petition period; unless petitioned, amendments take effect Sept. 2, 2025; the ordinance becomes effective Aug. 4, 2025.
The Sharpsburg Mayor and Council approved two charter amendments and an ordinance related to local procurement and ethics during its July 14, 2025 meeting.
Town Administrator Debra Valentine-Smith reported a public hearing was held at 6:00 P.M. prior to the regular meeting on two proposed charter amendments and a code amendment; she said no members of the public commented at the hearing. The council then moved to consider the measures.
Charter Amendment Resolution 25-001 would raise the minimum expenditure threshold that requires a written contract and sealed bids from $10,000 to $20,000. Councilmember Joseph Kudla moved adoption of Resolution 25-001; Councilmember Heather Waters seconded. The minutes record the motion as carried 4-0.
Charter Amendment Resolution 25-002 would permit exemption from the charter’s conflict‑of‑interest provisions by resolution of disinterested council members upon certain findings. Councilmember Heather Waters moved adoption of Resolution 25-002; Vice Mayor Jacob Martz seconded. The minutes record the motion as carried 4-0.
Per the council’s direction, a fair summary of the charter amendments will be published in the Herald-Mail newspaper for four weekly intervals. The transcript records that a petition challenging the amendments must be received by Aug. 22, 2025; absent a petition, the charter amendments will take effect on Sept. 2, 2025 (the 50th day after adoption).
Separately, Ordinance 25-002 repeals Chapter 9 (Code of Ethics/Financial Disclosure) in its entirety. The council discussed that the town is exempt from the State ethics law as determined by the Maryland State Ethics Commission and determined a local ethics ordinance would reduce the pool of qualified candidates for service. Councilmember Ed Beeler moved passage of Ordinance 25-002 and Councilmember Joseph Kudla seconded; the minutes record the motion as carried 4-0. The ordinance will become effective 20 days after passage (Aug. 4, 2025).
The minutes do not include individual roll‑call votes. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
