Stormwater Bill Veto Overridden by Council in 5-2 Vote

A veto of the controversial stormwater bill by the county executive was overridden by a supermajority vote among Anne Arundel County Councilmen on Wednesday.

A week ago, County Executive Laura Neuman made it known that which sets into motion a fee to pay for a countywide stormwater management system. The plan is just one local effort in a massive statewide mandate to help clean the Chesapeake Bay by 2025.  

The bill allows for an annual fee that will be assessed through property tax bills and varies by household type—$34 for owners of townhomes and condominiums, $85 for single-family homeowners, and $170 for rural area homes. The money will go to a special fund and can be used only for specific environmental restoration purposes.

The bill’s sponsor, Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-6^th District), said a veto could undo nearly a year’s worth of work by the council and county staff.

The bill had passed by a 4-3 vote on April 15, and on Wednesday received a 5-2 vote to override the executive veto, with councilmen Derek Fink (R-2^nd District) and Jerry Walker (R-7^th District) dissenting.

The council needed a supermajority vote—five of its seven members—to override the executive’s veto, and Councilman Pete Smith (D-1^st District)’s vote was the deciding factor in the override.

Smith had voted against the bill when it was first approved. However, during Wednesday’s meeting, Smith said that while he still has concerns about the bill,  he changed his position on the issue after speaking with several members of the community, according to The Capital-Gazette.

A statement issued Wednesday by the local chapter of the Maryland League of Conservative Voters praised councilmen for taking a stand on the issue.

“We applaud the Councilmen who have taken political risks to do the right thing to meet State and local mandates and provide cleaner water for our children,” according to the statement.

Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5^th District), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said compromises had to be made in order for the bill to be approved, and it would likely see even more revisions before implementation. However, Ladd said the state’s goal of 2025 for Bay restoration was unreachable at the current pace of legislation.

“I don’t think this changes the need to get started, but it does call into question how fast we should proceed,” Ladd said. “We shouldn’t have to fall on our swords just to get to 2025.”

Councilmen said they would work together to formulate a modified bill later this month.

Read more of Patch's coverage of the stormwater management bill:

• County Executive Intends to Veto Stormwater Bill in Anne Arundel
• New Stormwater Fee Funds Effort to Clean Streams by 2025
• Stormwater Bill Continues to Evolve