Brunswick, MD

Planning Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission will discuss and consider approval of the site and improvement plans for Section 1 of Vista Pointe, a 264-unit age-restricted housing development. The meeting will also review the Maryland Department of Planning Local Jurisdiction Annual Reports for CY2025. The item includes detailed plans for lot types, a clubhouse, trails, and open space.

• Vista Pointe Section I – site and improvement plans for 264 age-restricted residential units (114 single-family, 80 villas 28', 70 villas 24')
• Maryland Department of Planning Local Jurisdiction Annual Reports for CY2025 (discussion/approval)
• Proposed clubhouse campus, pedestrian trails, and active/passive park areas within Section 1
• Prepayment of water and sewer capacity fees: $2,039,550 for 150 units and $1,019,775 for an additional 75 units
• Two access points: Jefferson Pike (MD180) and Shewbridge Court connection to Brunswick Crossing

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will hold a regular meeting with votes anticipated on the FY27 police salary scale amendment, personnel manual updates, and several new business items including an Equity and Inclusion Task Force work plan, a Maple Avenue sidewalk bid award, and two event applications. First readings will be introduced for ordinances on accessory dwelling units and dumpster solid waste containers. A consent agenda includes a sewer line replacement, a sidewalk change order, and public works agreements. The meeting will adjourn to closed session to discuss personnel matters.

• First read of Ordinance 632 to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
• First read of Ordinance 623 regulating dumpster solid waste containers
• Resolution 2026-22 – FY27 police salary scale amendment (vote anticipated)
• Maple Avenue Sidewalk Phase 2 bid award (vote anticipated)
• Event applications for Brunswick Eagles Bike Night and ARBOCO LLC Downtown Drinks

Mayor & Council Workshop

The Mayor and Council are discussing a presentation on Brunswick Police Department staffing and a proposed 10% salary scale increase. The plan would keep authorized positions at 18 but leave two vacant, using the salary savings to fund raises. The council is also considering transitioning to the Maryland LEOPS retirement system beginning in FY28. Current sworn staffing is 14 officers, down from an authorized 18.

• Proposed 10% salary scale increase for police officers, funded by leaving two positions unfilled
• Transition to Maryland LEOPS enhanced retirement system slated for FY28
• Current sworn staffing: 14 officers out of 18 authorized; 2 on extended medical leave
• Salary comparison shows Brunswick officer starting pay at $64,626 (proposed) vs. nearby agencies like Frederick ($71,351) and Mount Airy ($62,088)
• FY27 police salary budget is $1,690,200; proposed option totals $1,633,485, generating savings of about $50,662

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on the FY2027 budget, then vote on two budget ordinances totaling $16.9 million across general, capital, and enterprise funds. They will also consider resolutions on a municipal property tax exemption and police accountability, and handle consent agenda items including budget amendments and Brunswick Crossing letter of credit releases.

• Adoption of Special Ordinance 630 – FY2027 General & CIP Budget ($11.7M general fund, $5.3M capital fund)
• Adoption of Special Ordinance 631 – FY2027 Enterprise Budget ($5.2M water, $4.2M wastewater)
• Resolution 2026-20 – Legislative Action Request on Municipal Property Tax Exemption
• Resolution 2026-21 – Legislative Action Request on Police Accountability
• Consent agenda: FY26 Budget Amendments and Brunswick Crossing Letter of Credit Releases

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a discussion and make a recommendation on a proposed zoning text amendment to establish regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The only other new business item, a site plan for 500 age-restricted units at Vista Pointe, has been postponed to the June 22 meeting at the applicant's request. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.

• BR-ZO-TA-26-02 – Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to establish Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – discussion and recommendation
• BR-SP-IP-26-03 – Vista Pointe Section I (500 age-restricted units) – postponed to June 22, 2026

Mayor & Council Meeting

The council holds a public hearing on the FY2027 budget, then meets to consider second reading and a vote on Ordinance 626 to allow bed & breakfasts in B-2 zones. They will also have first readings of the FY2027 general and enterprise budgets (Special Ordinances 630 and 631), adoption of the FY2027 salary scale and police salary scale, approval of a records retention policy, adoption of a multi-modal study, and a vote on a sports complex change order.

• Ordinance 626 – Zoning Text Amendment to allow bed & breakfasts in B-2 – 2nd read & vote anticipated
• Special Ordinance 630 – FY2027 General & CIP Budget – 1st read
• Special Ordinance 631 – FY2027 Enterprise Budget – 1st read
• Resolution 2026-15 – FY2027 Organizational Chart, Salary Scale, and Police Salary Scale – vote anticipated
• Sports Complex Change Order – vote anticipated

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council of Brunswick will vote on the FY2027 property tax rate (Special Ordinance 628) at $0.41 per $100 of real property and $2.775 per $100 for public utilities. They will also adopt water, sewer, and trash rate increases for FY2027, approve updates to the personnel manual, and hold a first reading of a zoning text amendment to allow bed & breakfasts in B-2 districts. Other action items include the FY2026 employee health insurance contribution and an audit services bid award.

• Special Ordinance 628: property tax rate set at $0.41/$100 real property and $2.775/$100 public utility property, with vacancy tax multipliers up to 5x normal rate
• Resolution 2026-13: water base rate up 2.5% to $65.46/quarter, sewer base rate up 5% to $94.59/quarter, trash flat bill up 8.7% to $40.50/quarter
• Resolution 2026-14: Rosemont water rates set at Frederick County’s tier-one rate of $5.41 per 1,000 gallons
• Resolution 2026-16: approval of updated Personnel Policies Manual
• Ordinance 626 (1st read): zoning text amendment to allow bed & breakfasts in the B-2 district

Mayor & Council Meeting

Finance Commission Meeting

The Brunswick Finance & Utility Commission will meet on April 1, 2026 to discuss several items including the FY2027 budget review, a sewer replacement project on the 200 block of East G Street, and updates on ARPA and bond spending. The agenda also includes review of city property lease increases and current FY2026 finance reports. No specific contract awards or dollar amounts are listed in the agenda.

• 200 Block East G Street Sewer Replacement (discussion, no contract amount specified)
• B&O Park Phase 4 – Martin’s Creek Landscaping
• ARPA spending update
• BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) spending update
• Proposed FY2027 budget review and city property lease increases

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will hold first readings of the FY2027 property tax rate ($0.41 per $100) and the $60 annual system improvement fee. Final votes are anticipated on a new fire suppression fee (Ordinance 627), the FY2026 fire suppression rate, and the city flag design. The council also expects votes on a three-year trash contract and pool and park building rental rates.

• First reading of Special Ordinance 628 setting FY2027 property tax rate at $0.41 per $100, with escalating multipliers for habitually vacant properties
• Final vote on Ordinance 627 establishing a fire suppression fee for meters used solely for fire suppression, with rates by meter size (e.g., $664.14/quarter for 3")
• Anticipated vote on Resolution 2026-07 adopting the 'Heritage with a View' city flag design by Scott McLean
• First reading of Special Ordinance 629 imposing a $60 annual system improvement fee for FY2027 ($30 sidewalk, $20 water, $10 sewer)
• Anticipated vote on a FY2027-FY2029 trash contract

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will discuss and potentially approve a zoning text amendment to allow bed and breakfasts in the B2 district, site plans for the 511-unit Springdale Summit Phase I age-restricted residential development, and a site plan for a bed and breakfast conversion at 21 West Potomac Street. No old business is on the agenda. Public comment is accepted in person or by email.

• BR-ZO-TA-26-01 – Zoning text amendment to allow bed and breakfasts in the B2 district
• BR-SP-IP-26-01 – Springdale Summit Phase I – 511 age-restricted residential units by Natelli Brunswick LLC
• BR-CD-SP-26-02 – 21 West Potomac Street – Conservation District and site plan for addition to existing single-family dwelling to become a bed and breakfast

Mayor and Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on the Enterprise Zone renewal application, then consider resolutions on municipal revenue modernization, a downtown parking program, and a fire suppression fee ordinance. They are also expected to vote on the city flag design and a pool management contract.

• Public hearing and vote on Resolution 2026-03 – Enterprise Zone renewal application to continue tax incentives for businesses
• Resolution 2026-04 – Support for Modernization of Municipal Revenue Sources – vote anticipated
• Resolution 2026-05 – Downtown Parking Program – vote anticipated
• Ordinance 627 – Fire Suppression Fee – first reading
• City Flag Design Approval – vote anticipated after revisions from prior meeting

Finance Commission Meeting

The Brunswick Finance Commission will discuss the FY2027 budget, including proposed increases to water, sewer, and trash rates, and a new fire suppression fee for adaptive reuse projects. They will also receive updates on the Yourtee Springs water storage tank project and review contracts for pool and trash services. The meeting includes reviewing current FY2026 finance reports.

• Proposed FY2027 water rate increases of 2.5% in-town and 5% out-of-town, sewer increase 3%, trash increase 2%, and system improvement fee of $5.27/quarter
• New fire suppression fee for adaptive reuse: e.g., $2,076/quarter for a 6" meter (35% discount off domestic ready-to-serve rate)
• Yourtee Springs Storage Tank project: timeline includes RFP on March 5, bids due April 10, council award April 28
• Discussion and potential approval of pool and trash contracts
• Review of property tax rates and vacant property rates for FY2027

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will hear the Brunswick Police Department's 2025 annual report and consider several action items. They are expected to vote on awarding a bid for the Maple Avenue sidewalk project, a quote for inside meter replacement, and a donation request from BHS Robotics. Two FY2026 budget amendments are on the consent agenda for adoption.

• FY2026 Budget Amendment #1 – consent agenda
• FY2026 Budget Amendment #2 – consent agenda
• Maple Avenue Sidewalk Bid Award – vote anticipated
• Inside Meter Replacement Quote Award – vote anticipated
• Donation Request – BHS Robotics – vote anticipated

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Brunswick Mayor and Council will vote on a $296,985 quote from Pay Dirt, LLC to replace the Second Avenue water line. They will also consider Resolution 2026-01 on the event application process and discuss pending sidewalk projects on H Street and Maple Avenue. Additional items include a bid opening for the Maple Avenue sidewalk and a request to use the City Park building.

• Second Avenue Water Line Quote Approval – Pay Dirt, LLC $296,985
• Resolution 2026-01 – Event Application Process (vote anticipated)
• H Street Sidewalk Project Design Award – Brudis & Associates (subject to final SHA approval)
• Maple Avenue Sidewalk Bid Opening
• City Park Building Usage Request (vote anticipated)

Finance Commission Meeting

The Finance & Utility Commission will review the Water Meter Replacement Project, including obtaining contractor quotes and approving budget amendments using FY2026 funds. It will also discuss the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program budget and other agenda items such as the Second Avenue Water Line Project and the current FY2026 finance reports.

• Snow Contractor FYI – informational item only
• Second Avenue Water Line Project – review scheduled
• Approve seeking vendor quotes and FY2026 budget amendments ($40,000 antenna replacement, $25,000 service line replacements, $16,000 ARPA funding, $60,000 Gordian refund; total $141,000) for relocating ~193 inside water meters to exterior crocks
• Discuss FY2027 Capital Improvement Program budget, including $194,000 for water infrastructure and $353,754 for wastewater projects
• Review of Current FY2026 Finance Reports

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will consider adopting Resolution 2026-01, a new Special Event Policy establishing application procedures, a $25 non-refundable fee, $50/hour charges for city staff, and $1 million insurance requirements for events on city property. They will also discuss Resolution 2026-02 to create a Housing Advisory Committee. Other business includes releasing a letter of credit for Brunswick Crossing paving and utilities, and votes on an event application for Smoketown Hootenanny and a sponsorship request for Brunswick Railroaders Little League.

• Resolution 2026-01: Adoption of Special Event Policy with $25 application fee and $50/hour staffing costs
• Resolution 2026-02: Discussion and possible vote on creating a Housing Advisory Committee
• Consent agenda: Brunswick Crossing Letter of Credit Release for Section 2A-1 PVP Paving & Utilities
• New Business: Vote on Event Application Request for Smoketown Hootenanny
• New Business: Vote on Sponsorship Request for Brunswick Railroaders Little League

Mayor & Council Meeting

The Mayor and Council will receive the FY2025 audit presentation, discuss speed enforcement activity updates, vacant property updates, and the FY2027 budget timeline. The meeting will also include a closed session to discuss a personnel action under the Maryland Open Meetings Act.

• FY2025 Audit Presentation by DeLeon & Stang (unmodified opinion, total assets $62.4M)
• City Hall Renovations FYI
• Speed Enforcement Activity Updates
• Vacant Property Updates
• FY2027 Budget Timeline Review and closed session for personnel action

Finance Commission Meeting

The Brunswick Finance Commission will review the draft FY2025 audit, which shows total assets of $62.4 million and a restated net position due to an accounting change. They will also track the Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) used for projects like the Sports Complex and B&O Railroad Park, set the FY2027 budget timeline, discuss a City Hall Renovations RFP, and review current FY2026 finance reports.

• FY2025 draft audit review – total assets $62.4M, net position restated for accounting change and error correction
• BAN tracking update for Sports Complex, B&O Railroad Park, reservoir demolition, above-ground storage tank, and WWTP improvements
• FY2027 budget timeline review
• City Hall Renovations RFP discussion
• Review of current FY2026 finance reports