Bowie, Maryland Development News
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Special Council Meeting - Monday, July 13, 2026
Published: Jul 13, 2026
Zapora Miller Certified Winner of District 1 Council Election; Sworn Into Office
The City Council certified the results of the June 30, 2026, Special District 1 Council Member City Election. Zapora Miller was declared the winner, receiving 255 votes. A total of 377 voters cast ballots (349 in person, 28 absentee), which represented 3.3% of the 11,596 registered voters in District 1. The certification was made by the Board of Elections, including Chair Yolanda Jones, Zach Lowe, Sonia Huntley, Nadria Scott, and Joe Bio. Following the certification, Dr. Zapora Miller was sworn in as the new District 1 Council Member and gave remarks thanking the voters, fellow candidates, her family, and supporters, emphasizing her commitment to representing her constituents with honesty and transparency.
City Recognizes Disability Pride Month and French American Heritage Month, Highlighting Community Contributions
The Diversity Committee, represented by Chair Carla Carter, presented a recognition for Disability Pride Month and French American Heritage Month, both observed in July. The presentation highlighted contributions of individuals with disabilities and French Americans. For Disability Pride Month, Shandra Smith (IT engineer, accessibility specialist, advocate) was recognized for advancing universal design legislation in Prince George's County and serving as a 508 compliance advisor. Ola Ouwami (writer, advocate) was recognized for founding Project Ascend scholarship program and the Sacred Hearts Children's Transplant Foundation. For French American Heritage Month, Yan Andre Leon (computer scientist) was noted for pioneering work in AI and machine learning. Carolyn Murdoch (visual artist) was recognized for her photography, public art, and documentary filmmaking. The presentation also acknowledged the vibrant francophone communities within Prince George's County from various nations, emphasizing that diversity strengthens the community and that inclusion and opportunity lead to a thriving city.
Angel L. Jones Appointed New City Manager; Heather Curley Joins Environmental Advisory Committee
The City Council officially appointed Angel L. Jones as the new City Manager through the adoption of Resolution R-61-26. Following the motion and a second, the resolution was approved. Angel L. Jones was then administered the oath of office. Her official start date with the city is set for July 20th. The Mayor expressed gratitude to the city personnel, including the acting city manager Dan Mir, for their efforts in passing the budget on time amidst transitions. The council also appointed Heather Curley as a regular member of the environmental advisory committee for a two-year term.
Resident Alarmed by 52% Property Tax Increase, Cites Fiscal Issues and Service Decline
During the council meeting, David Love, a resident of Bouie for 36 years, expressed shock and concern regarding a significant increase in his property tax bill. He stated that the city tax levy increased by $900, a 52% rise compared to the previous year. Love learned that the city had been operating with a structural deficit, addressing budget shortfalls through depletion of emergency funds, which are now exhausted. He criticized the city's decision to impose a 45% increase in the property tax rate and highlighted a lack of awareness among his fellow homeowners about this increase and the city's fiscal issues. Love calculated that the aggregate increase for approximately 22,000 homeowners could generate over $20 million in added property taxes, a 28% gross revenue increase. He also pointed to perceived slippage in city services over the past decade, citing examples like reckless trash collection, underutilization of park facilities, poor response to snow/ice storms, non-functioning streetlights, and discolored water, suggesting a need for a comprehensive service review before tax increases.
City Council to Hold Work Session on Budget Planning and New Revenue Exploration
Council Member Dennis Brady initiated a discussion regarding the upcoming budget, emphasizing the need to provide staff with clearer guidance for the next fiscal year's budget development, which begins in November. He highlighted that the previous year's budget process was difficult and suggested exploring new revenue streams. Brady also proposed that staff provide a briefing on 'program accounting' or 'programming budgeting' as a potential tool for better budget management. Council Member Wanda Rogers supported this initiative, stressing the seriousness of addressing the structural deficit and building reserves. The council agreed to schedule a work session for the week of July 27th to discuss these budget matters, with the understanding that an economic development meeting and a session with lobbyists would be separate.
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The Bowie News archive
Regular Council Meeting - Monday, June 1, 2026
Regular Council Meeting - Monday, May 18, 2026
Budget Worksession - Monday, May 11, 2026
Regular City Council Meeting - Monday, May 4, 2026
Budget Worksession - Wednesday, April 29th, 2026
Budget Worksession - Monday, April 27th, 2026
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