tion, Parks and Recreation plan, which sets guidelines for the county on improving parks and buying land for fields and open space.

Pruski, who proposed the amendment, raised concerns the plan didn’t have enough public input. He also proposed an approved amendment requesting an extended lease of a dairy farm in Gambrills before the recommended athletic complex is built on the land.

Schuh administration officials opposed the amendment.

Since it was amended, the council will take up the amended plan during its first September meeting. The council does not meet in August.

The council also passed one charter amendment and defeated others changing language related to the the auditor’s oversight on county fraud and theft.

One resolution requires any reports of fraud and theft be given to the county auditor. The council passed this unanimously.

The council voted 4-3 to defeat a resolution that would have given the auditor authority to investigate specific instances of fraud and waste in any office.

Walker, Trumbauer, Smith and Pruski voted for the bill. Fink, John Grasso of Glen Burnie and Michael Peroutka of Millersville, Republicans, voted against.

That resolution was drafted by the auditor’s office to clarify language in the charter regarding the auditor office’s powers and duties, said Phyllis Clancy, who was recently selected county auditor. The office has had more “difficulty accessing records and employees” under the Schuh administration than under other county executives, Clancy said.

Schuh said he doesn’t oppose the auditor’s receiving completed fraud reports, but said the resolution tipped the balance between legislative and executive branches.

Democratic county executive candidate Steuart Pittman, who will face Schuh in November’s general election, spoke in support of both resolutions, saying the council had “every right to invite the voters to weigh in on proposals that reform government processes.” ccook@capgaznews.com