Baltimore County Question B — Charter Amendment: Department of Agriculture – Establishment of Department

What it does

This Charter Amendment establishes a Department of Agriculture to promote and support farming and agriculture in Baltimore County as a viable component of the county's economic section, including encouraging local food production and distribution to improve access to food for County residents. This would amend Section 504 of the Baltimore County Charter and add Sections 542.9 and 542.10 to the Baltimore County Charter. Various agriculture issues will continue to be handled by other County agencies depending on the subject matter. As an example, agriculture land preservation is currently handled by the Department of Planning; local food initiatives are currently handled by the Department of Health; and agricultural tourism is handled by the Department of Economic and Workforce Development. A vote FOR the amendment would create a Department of Agriculture to support farming and agriculture in Baltimore County and encourage local food production and distribution to improve access to food for County residents. A vote AGAINST the amendment does not create a Department of Agriculture, and the current County Charter would remain unchanged.

A YES vote means

Baltimore County would create a Department of Agriculture to support farming and encourage local food production and distribution to improve residents' access to food.

A NO vote means

No Department of Agriculture would be created, and the charter would stay unchanged.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Bill 49-25, introduced July 7, 2025 by Councilmembers Kach, Marks, Jones, Patoka and Ertel, would amend the Charter to create a Department of Agriculture run by an appointed director reporting to the County Administrative Officer.

Under the bill, the department's duties include promoting agriculture as a viable part of the County's economy, along with other duties assigned by the County Administrative Officer or County law.

According to the Council's legislation record, the Council adopted one amendment 7–0 and passed the bill as amended 7–0.

Put on the ballot by Baltimore County Council, 7–0, 2025 (Bill 49-25).

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Baltimore County ballots

• Baltimore County Question A — Charter Amendment: Baltimore County Farmland Preservation Act (URDL)
• Baltimore County Question C — Charter Amendment: Inspector General Appointment Board
• Baltimore County Question D — Charter Amendment: Charter Review Commission – Membership
• Baltimore County Question E — Charter Amendment: Board of Recreation and Parks – Membership and Duties
• Baltimore County Question F — Bond Issue: Refuse Disposal Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question G — Bond Issue: Community College Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question H — Bond Issue: Public Works Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question I — Bond Issue: Parks, Preservation and Greenways Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question J — Bond Issue: School Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question K — Bond Issue: Agricultural and Rural Land Preservation Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question L — Bond Issue: Community Improvement Project Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question M — Bond Issue: Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question N — Bond Issue: Operational Buildings Borrowing

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore County Question B mean?

Baltimore County would create a Department of Agriculture to support farming and encourage local food production and distribution to improve residents' access to food.

What does a NO vote on Baltimore County Question B mean?

No Department of Agriculture would be created, and the charter would stay unchanged.

How many votes does Baltimore County Question B need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Baltimore County Question B?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.