For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 19, 2021— Today, Council President Tom Hucker and Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz introduced Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit, which would establish a County property tax credit for certain Montgomery County first responders. Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Sidney Katz, Andrew Friedson, Will Jawando, Evan Glass and Craig Rice are co-sponsors.
This legislation would establish an annual property tax credit of up to $2,500 for police, career firefighters, emergency medical technicians and Emergency Communications Center (ECC) operators who live in Montgomery County. In order to benefit from the credit, the employee must be a legal owner of the property and the property must be the employee’s principal residence.
"Over the past several years, we have seen troubling trends in recruitment and retention, job vacancies and high attrition rates within the Montgomery County Police Department, Fire and Rescue Service and the Emergency Call Center," said Council President Hucker. "We all benefit when first responders live in the communities they serve. This legislation sends an important signal to our first responders and emergency personnel that we both appreciate and value their work, that they have our steadfast support, and that they are valued members of our community."
“There is nothing more important than ensuring the safety and security for all residents. Our first responders—police, fire and rescue, and the emergency call center provide life-saving and critical support to our residents daily,” said Council Vice President Albornoz. “Bill 39-21 serves as a best practice for first responders to financially afford to live in the communities they serve. We ask a great deal from them and must make sure we recruit and retain dedicated public safety personnel who will keep our residents safe and maintain community trust.”
The Maryland General Assembly previously authorized the County to enact a property tax credit for certain public safety officers and public safety emergency communications specialists. The County is authorized to establish additional eligibility requirements for the property tax credit. Other counties in Maryland, including Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, also provide for a property tax credit for public safety officers. Montgomery County currently has several property tax credits for eligible residents, including seniors and military retirees.
A public hearing for this bill is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
View the Council staff report for Bill 39-21.