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Council approves first reading of tax credit for volunteer firefighters
Summary
An ordinance creating a real‑estate tax credit for members of Frostburg Fire Department No. 1 was approved on first reading. The credit is $500 per eligible volunteer (up to $1,000 per dwelling) and requires certification from the fire department by May 1.
The City of Frostburg on April 15 approved on first reading an ordinance establishing a real‑estate tax credit for eligible volunteers of Frostburg Fire Department No. 1.
Under the ordinance (Ordinance 2025‑03) the credit is $500 per year for eligible volunteers and is available only for the volunteer's primary dwelling. If two or more eligible volunteers co‑own a dwelling, the combined credit cannot exceed $1,000 and may not exceed the amount of city tax due for that property. The fire department must certify eligible volunteers in writing by two officers to the city no later than May 1 for credits to apply to the following July tax bills.
The ordinance mirrors eligibility points used in Maryland’s Louis Goldstein income tax subtraction and limits the credit to active volunteers who have completed any department probationary period. The credit is nontransferable and prorated if a property sells during the tax year. Elected city officials are not eligible.
Vote and council notes Council moved and seconded the ordinance on first reading and approved it by voice vote; the minutes record the motion and approval but do not list numeric tallies. Mayor Todd Locks abstained from the vote and the council noted his abstention because he is a member of the fire department.
Ending: The ordinance will return to the council for advertised public hearing and final action at the May 20, 2025 meeting.
