LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 against supporting an amendment to House Bill 947, which would have requested that state delegates expand property tax credits for volunteer emergency responders.
The amendment aimed to increase the income cap for eligibility from $150,000 to $250,000 and raise the property tax credit by $500 per year until reaching $2,500 in 2028. The Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association supported the change, arguing that it would align with benefits already available to volunteers in neighboring Calvert County.
“Our fellow volunteers in Calvert County have been receiving a $2,500 property tax credit since 2018,” said Bill Smith, coordinator of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association. “We believe our volunteers deserve the same.”
During the meeting, Smith and association leaders Richard Bowie and Lynn Gilroy urged commissioners to support the amendment, emphasizing the importance of retaining and supporting volunteer emergency responders.
“As a result of the income cap remaining at $150,000, 128 of our volunteers were excluded from the program,” Smith said.
Despite their appeals, the motion failed to pass. Commissioners BJ Bowling and Amanda Stewart voted in favor, while all others opposed it, citing concerns about the potential fiscal impact on the county.
“We absolutely appreciate the dedication of our volunteer emergency responders,” Coates said. “However, we need to carefully review the financial impact before making changes to the tax credit program.”
Stewart emphasized the importance of consistency in budget decisions.
“If we’re going to make statements of not increasing or not possibly increasing funding because of budget restraints, we need to make sure we’re consistent across the board, no matter what group comes before us,” Stewart said. “We need to be consistent with all groups, not just pick and choose.”
Commissioner Coates encouraged the fire association to bring the request back to state legislators, emphasizing the legislative process.
“What I would ask is that you bring this back before the legislators, because they would have the opportunity to speak to what you’re asking,” Coates said.
House Bill 947, passed in 2023 and effective June 1, 2024, allows Charles County to offer property tax reductions to volunteer emergency responders. The income cap was originally proposed at $250,000 but was lowered to $150,000 before the bill’s passage.
Smith remained firm in his commitment to securing the tax credit expansion.
“Our volunteers dedicate their time and put their lives on the line to serve this community,” Smith said. “We’re not giving up on making sure they receive the support they deserve.”
See the Charles County Firemen’s Association and Emergency Medical Services letter here.
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AKA “You didn’t support our fraud charter government proposal, so NO.”
Oh no not that guess they need the money for the Sports Complex in Waldorf. Get your priorities straight
“Commissioners BJ Bowling and Amanda Stewart voted in favor, while all others opposed it, citing concerns about the potential fiscal impact on the county.”
Speaking of fiscal impact…how much has the Coates lawsuit cost Charles County taxpayers? And, yet, Collins, Coates, and Patterson don’t seem to care about giving a break to volunteer responders.