Brunswick council adopts new city flag, approves fees and contract extensions

Mayor Nathan Brown convened the Brunswick City Council at 6:00 p.m. March 24 and reported the council had met in closed session March 10 to discuss personnel and potential litigation under Section 3-305(b) of the Annotated Code of Maryland. "The Brunswick City Council met in closed session on March 10, 2026 at 8:20pm," Brown read at the start of the meeting.

Assistant City Administrator Jeremy Mose presented the winning design from a year-long public process for a new municipal flag and said the design entitled "Heritage With a View" by Scott McLean was ready for adoption. Council Member Brian Sandusky moved to approve Resolution 2026-07, Council Member John Caves seconded, and the resolution passed 6-0.

The council approved Ordinance 627 to establish the city's fire suppression fee after Mayor Brown noted only minor wording changes since first reading; Council Member Daniel Yochelson moved approval, Council Member Brian Sandusky seconded, and the ordinance passed 6-0. The council also adopted Resolution 2026-06 to set the FY2026 fire suppression rates for the remainder of the fiscal year on a 6-0 vote following a motion from Yochelson and a second from Sandusky.

On budget items for FY2027, City Administrator Julie Martorana told the council there is no proposed change to the property tax rate, which would remain $0.41 per $100 of assessed value; a public hearing and a vote on Special Ordinance 628 were scheduled for the next meeting. Martorana also presented recommended System Improvement Fee proposals: $60 for in-town properties (broken down as $30 sidewalks, $20 water, $10 sewer) and a $20 out-of-town water-only fee; both items will go to public hearing before a vote.

In new business, Director of Administration Carrie Myers said staff obtained three-year extension rates from Ecology Trash Services. Council Member Brian Sandusky moved to approve the FY2027–FY2029 contract extension, Council Member Eric Smothers seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

Assistant City Administrator Jeremy Mose presented recommended modest rate increases for FY2027: 2.5% for in-town water, 5% for out-of-town water, and 3% for sewer. He said the Rosemont rate will be set to match the Frederick County rate later in the budget process. Moses reported trash rates as currently suggested would leave a deficit of $125,000; Council Member John Caves "suggested raising trash rates a bit to put the deficit at $100,000," and the other council members agreed. That change was recorded as council direction, not as a formal vote.

The council approved pool and park building rental rates with no increase for the coming year (Sandusky motion, Smothers second; 6-0) and approved an event application for the BMS Farmers Market to use Square Corner Park with parking at City Hall for its first four markets while construction continues near the Martin's Creek parking lot (Yochelson motion, Sandusky second; 6-0).

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2026-07 (City flag adoption): mover Brian Sandusky; second John Caves; vote 6-0; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 627 (Fire suppression fee): mover Daniel Yochelson; second Brian Sandusky; vote 6-0; outcome: approved. - Resolution 2026-06 (FY2026 fire suppression rates): mover Daniel Yochelson; second Brian Sandusky; vote 6-0; outcome: approved. - FY2027–FY2029 trash contract extension with Ecology Trash Services: mover Brian Sandusky; second Eric Smothers; vote 6-0; outcome: approved. - Pool & park rental rates: mover Brian Sandusky; second Eric Smothers; vote 6-0; outcome: approved. - BMS Farmers Market event application: mover Daniel Yochelson; second Brian Sandusky; vote 6-0; outcome: approved.

What’s next: public hearings and votes on Special Ordinance 628 (FY2027 property tax rate) and Special Ordinance 629 / Resolution 2026-08 (FY2027 System Improvement Fees) are scheduled for the council’s next meeting.