FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Council Members Mason Carter, Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, Steve McKay, and Brad Young were present for the meeting. Also present were Catherine Keller, Assistant County Attorney; Ragen Cherney, Chief of Staff, County Council; Sarah Grabowski, Executive Assistant, County Council; and Abby Boroughs, Administrative Specialist, County Council. Council President Brad Young called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Opening Statement from Council President Brad Young Council President Brad Young provided an opening statement at the start of the meeting. Included in that statement was a welcome to the Workshop for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, and information on how to watch and participate in the meeting. Council President Brad Young asked staff to call roll and a quorum was established. Public Comment Public Comment was heard from: Patti Worsley Mark Florimbio Chase Borns Shaun Porter Jane Struherick With no further comments, Council President Brad Young closed Public Comment. Initial Discussion of Budget Amendments - Council President Brad Young Amendment 1 = Council Member Steve McKay Council Member Steve McKay moved to approve budget amendment 1. AMENDMENT 1 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Steve McKay (District 2) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Pages 34-38 Amend: 1 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Department Proposed 2026 Reduced By New Proposed 6.5% 2026 County Executive $1,412,968 $91,843 $1,321,125 Administrative Services $8,531,104 $554,522 $7,976,582 County Council $1,089,514 $70,818 $1,018,696 Sheriff $71,553,530 $4,650,979 $66,902,551 State's Attorney $9,806,478 $637,421 $9,169,057 Courts $2,660,392 $172,925 $2,487,467 Orphan' s Court $39,911 $2,594 $37,317 Office of the County. Attorney $2,071,462 $134,645 $1,936,817 Economic Opportunity $3,622,074 $235,435 $3,386,639 Finance $5,192,760 $337,529 $4,855,231 Human Resources $3,000,668 $195,043 $2,805,625 Interagency Information Tech. $25,713,014 $1,671,346 $24,041,668 Planning & Permitting $10,188,511 $662,253 $9,526,258 Emergency Management $19,182,580 $1,246,868 $17,935,712 Fire & Rescue Services $104,440,314 $6,788,620 $97,651,694 Volunteer Fire/Rescue Service $11,807,595 $767,494 $11,040,101 Animal Control $2,877,462 $187,035 $2,690,427 Family Services $2,447,889 $159,113 $2,288,776 Aging & Independence $4,581,357 $297,788 $4,283,569 Health Services $11,122,892 $722,988 $10,399,904 Housing $1,506,104 $97,897 $1,408,207 Parks & Recreation $19,232,359 $1,250,103 $17,982,256 Public Works $43,981,818 $2,858,818 $41,123,000 Transit Services $6,000 $390 $5,610 Energy & Environment $5,098,328 $331,391 $4,766,937 TOTAL REDUCTION $24,125,860 Council Member Mason Carter seconded the motion that failed 0-7, with all Council Members opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X 2 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 2 = Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett moved to approve budget amendment 2. AMENDMENT 2 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett (District 4) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 38 Amend: Board of Education - Request Number 3 10917001835,006,947 Additionally: The purpose oft this amendment is to restore the total requested funding to the Board of Education, totaling an additional $24,089,497- The Council has the authority to restore funding to the BOE budget, pursuant to MD Code Ann. Education Article $ 5-103. Ifthe Council were to approve this increase in appropriation to the BOE, the Council may be required to increase the tax rate, to approximately $1.162, to fund this difference. This would require advertising with the statutorily required time periods before the public hearing can be held. Council Member Renee Knapp seconded the motion that failed 0-7, with all Council Members opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X 3 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 President - Young X Amendment 3 = Council Member Jerry Donald Council Member Jerry Donald moved to approve budget amendment 3. AMENDMENT 3 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Jerry Donald (District 1) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - Page 34-38 Amend: Fire and Rescue [$317,199] Additionally: The purpose of this amendment is to reduce the COLA for FY26 from 2.5% to 2%. Language in the Memorandum of Understanding between Frederick County Government and the Frederick County Professional Fire Fighters Association I.A.F.F. LOCAL 3666, dated March 11, 2025, would be impacted as follows: Page 20, Section 10.1(A): Effective on the first pay period which includes July 1, 2025, the base salary for all bargaining unit members shall be increased by two and-ene-half percent (2[.5]%). Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 1-6, with Council Members Mason Carter, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, Steve McKay, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X 4 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 5 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 5. AMENDMENT 5 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - Page 120 Amend: Housing Initiative Fund $1,500,000 Additionally: Full cut to supplemental appropriation. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 6 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 6. AMENDMENT 6 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 5 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 141 Amend: Office of Equity and Inclusion $394,697 Additionally: Moving the Director position to HR as one stand alone position with a salary of $95,000. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent! Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 7 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 7. AMENDMENT 7 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 112 Amend: FCC- #1 $500,000 Additionally: Full cut in additional requests. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 0-7, with all Council 6 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Members opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 8 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 8. AMENDMENT 8 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 112 Amend: FCPS - #3 $25,000 Additionally: Reduction in appropriation by estimated cost ofinvestigation into Board Member Colt Black. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 0-7, with all Council Members opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X 7 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Amendment 9 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 9. AMENDMENT 9 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 112 Amend: Workforce Services - #7 $13,000 Additionally: Reduce by half. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 10 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 10. AMENDMENT 10 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected 8 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - Page 115 Amend: Housing - #47 $115,644 Additionally: Reduce by half. Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 11 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 11. AMENDMENT 11 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - Page 115 Amend: Planning and Permitting - #51 $101,065 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 1-6, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, Steve 9 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 McKay, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3. - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5. - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 12 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 12. AMENDMENT 12 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 115 Amend: Planning and Permitting - #52 $48,070 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 3-4, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C Keegan-Ayer, and Renee Knapp opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X Presiding Officer - Young X 10 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Amendment 13 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter withdrew budget amendment 13. AMENDMENT 13 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Withdrawn Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - - Page 115 Amend: Park and Recreation - #53 $60,437 Additionally: Reduce by half to demonstrate a January 1 start date for the position. Amendment 14 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 14. AMENDMENT 14 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 115 Amend: Aging & Independence- #55 $79,524 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. 11 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 15 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 15. AMENDMENT 15 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 116 Amend: Department of Public Works - #72 $93,896 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 16 - Council Member Mason Carter 12 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 16. AMENDMENT 16 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 116 Amend: Transit- #75 $51,098 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 17 - Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 17. AMENDMENT 17 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected 13 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget Page 117 Amend: Budget- #78 $50,000 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 1-6, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, Steve McKay, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 18 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter withdrew budget amendment 18. AMENDMENT 18 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Withdrawn Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 117 Amend: Procurement- #79 $83,599 Additionally: Amendment 19 = Council Member Mason Carter 14 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 19. AMENDMENT 19 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 117 Amend: Procurement- #80 $57,160 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3 - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Amendment 20 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter withdrew budget amendment 20. AMENDMENT 20 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Reyected/Withdrawn: Withdrawn Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget - Page 117 15 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Amend: Human Resources - #82 $103,558 Additionally: Amendment 21 = Council Member Mason Carter Council Member Mason Carter moved to approve budget amendment 21. AMENDMENT 21 to Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Introduced By: Council Member Mason Carter (District 5) Introduction Date: April 29, 2025 Adopted/Rejected/Withdrawn: Rejected Fiscal 2026 Proposed Budget = Page 118 Amend: Risk Management- #90 $134,089 Additionally: Council Member Steve McKay seconded the motion that failed 2-5, with Council Members Jerry Donald, Kavonté Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and Brad Young opposed. Absent/ Council Members Aye Nay Abstain/ Present District 1 - Donald X District 2 - McKay X District 3. - Keegan-Ayer X District 4- Duckett X District 5 - Carter X At Large - Knapp X President - Young X Public Comment Public Comment was heard from: 16 FINAL COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Teresa Calsenetti Melissa Conner Dean Rose Katie Nash With no further comments, Council President Brad Young closed Public Comment. Upcoming Meetings Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - Legislative Day Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - Workshop Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Bhy Brad W. Youpg, President County' Couroir 17