Charles County Commissioners Approve $2,500 Volunteer Fire Tax Credit Increase

LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County volunteer firefighters and emergency responders will see a significantly larger property tax credit after the Charles County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved legislation Tuesday, May 19, increasing the county’s volunteer fire tax credit from $500 to $2,500 annually.

The vote came following a public hearing during the commissioners’ regular session at the Charles County Government Building in La Plata.

The approved legislation, Bill 2026-05, amends Chapter 281-27.2 of the county code and applies the increased credit beginning with the 2026-27 full year tax assessment cycle, taking effect 45 days from the date it becomes law.

Background On The Bill

Acting Deputy County Administrator Danielle Mitchell told commissioners the bill was designed to increase support for volunteer emergency responders and surviving spouses who qualify under the county’s existing program.

“This bill amends the existing tax credit that provides a volunteer tax credit for $500,” Mitchell said during the hearing. “It will amend that amount to $2,500 annually.”

Jacob Dyer, director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, noted during earlier discussions that the county’s current budget could support the increase based on existing enrollment in the program.

“Based on what we’re seeing, there is enough funding in the tax credit budgets to support this,” Dyer said.

Only one resident spoke during the public hearing, but the proposal received strong support.

Joseph Mank of Waldorf urged commissioners to approve the increase, saying volunteer responders provide critical services that would otherwise cost taxpayers significantly more if handled entirely by paid personnel.

“These folks run into fires when people are trying to get away from fires,” Mank said. “These are folks that rush to people with medical emergencies, heart attacks, sometimes panic attacks. They do it on a volunteer basis.”

Mank also pointed to the financial impact volunteer departments have on county government.

“The amount of money it would cost this county to employ a professional fire EMS team would be staggering,” he said.

Months Of Discussion Before The Vote

The proposal follows discussion and a previous failed attempt to expand the program. In February 2025, the board rejected a similar proposal to raise the credit and expand income eligibility — with Commissioners B.J. Bowling and Amanda Stewart voting in favor while the remaining commissioners opposed it, citing concerns about the potential fiscal impact on the county. Bill Smith, coordinator of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, had pushed for the increase at the time, noting that Calvert County volunteers had been receiving a $2,500 credit since 2018.

Commissioners voted to introduce the bill at their April 21, 2026, morning session before scheduling the May 19 public hearing. During the discussion, officials noted the income limit of $150,000 — set by state law — was not changed as part of the 2026 legislation, as any adjustment to that threshold would require action at the state level.

Bill Passes Unanimously

The bill passed unanimously following the public hearing. Under the approved legislation, the increased tax credit of up to $2,500 annually — or the amount of the county real property tax imposed, whichever is less — will apply beginning with the 2026-27 full year tax assessment cycle and take effect 45 days from the date it becomes law. Eligible responders must be active volunteer members participating in the Charles County Length of Service Award Program and may not exceed a federal adjusted gross income of $150,000. Surviving spouses of qualifying responders are also eligible under the bill.

Watch the full May 19, 2026, public hearing on CCGTV and see the full bill below.

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