Public hearing on proposed 0.1% county income tax increase draws wide public testimony

The Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on a proposal to raise the county income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%, drawing more than three hours of testimony from educators, school and labor leaders, business groups, nonprofit advocates and residents.

Rich Maddalino, chief administrative officer for the county government, told the council he was representing County Executive Mark Elrich and said the executive supports the council’s short‑term path announced that morning to fund Montgomery County Public Schools using one‑time resources for FY2025 and FY2026. Maddalino also said, however, that “the county executive still believes for the long term interest of the county and our fiscal stability, making this change in the income tax is still important.” He explained that prior changes to the income tax have sometimes been applied retroactively to January 1.

Testimony split along familiar lines. Education leaders, school principals, teachers and union…