Hagerstown council debates 5.5¢ property tax increase, asks staff for targeted cuts and ordinance introduction

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown City Council spent more than two hours Tuesday debating a proposed 5.5¢ increase in the property tax rate — a change estimated in the staff budget to produce about $2.2 million — and asking staff to return with specific, line‑by‑line options before a final vote.

Council members and city staff framed the discussion as a choice between raising revenue, cutting services and programs, or using one‑time reserves. Councilors repeatedly said they supported public safety funding but differed on whether to protect services and amenities or reduce them to avoid the increase.

The issue mattered because the city has not raised its property tax rate since 2019, staff noted, and the council must decide whether to cap any increase for a future fiscal year. Council members discussed a cap tied to a future fiscal year (several members referenced capping the rate for FY28 or FY30) and sought clarity on legal limits and budget mechanics before committing to…