Baltimore County Question JCounty Ordinance – School Borrowing
What your vote means
A YES vote lets Baltimore County borrow $200,000,000 for school building and site projects, such as construction, renovation, modernization and equipment.
A NO vote does not allow the county to borrow $200,000,000 for this purpose.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- Bill 46-26 asks voters to let Baltimore County borrow $200,000,000 for school building and site projects, such as construction, renovation, modernization and equipment. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The Baltimore County Charter requires that borrowing ordinances be approved by voters; each question limits borrowing to its stated amount and purpose. source: baltimorecountymd.gov
- Bond money is used only after the County Executive proposes and the County Council approves the bonds in the capital budget. source: baltimorecountymd.gov
- The county's FY 2026 bond plan, based on the 2024 vote, gave schools $331,140,000 of $578,580,000, the largest share. source: baltimorecountymd.gov
Cost: $200,000,000 in borrowing. The county repays the bonds with interest from its yearly General Fund budget, generally over about 20 years (county borrowing brochure; the county's debt payments were 9.4% of General Fund revenue in 2023). Total cost with interest was not found for this question. For scale, the county's FY 2026 capital plan gave schools $331,140,000 of the $578,580,000 in bonds approved in 2024.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- The county ballot asks voters to approve borrowing under Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter (Bill 46-26). Baltimore County puts borrowing questions on the ballot at each general election; the 2024 ballot's questions covered about $578.6 million. source: baltimorecountymd.gov
- Baltimore County's bonds are rated AAA by Moody's, S&P and Fitch, according to the county. source: baltimorecountymd.gov
Why supporters want it
No public statement found.
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
County Ordinance School Borrowing
(Bill 46-26) AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $200,000,000 for school buildings and site projects, including but not limited to: the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, extension, alteration, maintenance, conversion and modernization of buildings and sites for school purposes; architectural and engineering services; and recreation and pedagogical equipment for such buildings and sites, to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the bond issue authorizes Baltimore County to borrow $200,000,000 for school buildings and site projects. A vote AGAINST the bond issue precludes Baltimore County from borrowing $200,000,000 for school buildings and site projects.
- For
- Against
Latest news
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