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Council overrides county executive veto on development impact tax collection changes
Summary
The Montgomery County Council on March 4 voted to override the county executive's veto of expedited Bill 22-24 (taxation — collection of development impact taxes), restoring the legislation to law after a roll-call vote; sponsors said the change reduces building costs without reducing total impact taxes collected.
The Montgomery County Council voted March 4 to override the county executive’s veto of expedited Bill 22-24, a measure adjusting the county’s collection of development impact taxes.
Councilmember Evan Glass, the lead sponsor, said the bill is intended to “reduce the cost to build housing” without lowering the total amount of impact taxes collected for schools, roads and other infrastructure. Glass argued that by changing collection mechanics the county can lower upfront development costs and support housing affordability.
Motion and vote: Councilmember Lukey moved to override the veto; Councilmember Friedson seconded the motion. The council conducted a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded that all members present voted to override the veto and the motion passed. One councilmember was absent at the vote (recorded in the roll call). The council achieved the votes necessary to override the executive veto as provided in the county charter and continued the legislative enactment.
Why it matters: Sponsors framed the override as a tool to reduce development costs and thereby support housing production. Council materials included the county executive’s veto memo (dated Feb. 18, 2025) and staff reports noting there was no legal bar to the council’s action; council legal staff likewise confirmed the override could proceed under charter rules.
Implementation and next steps: With the override sustained, council staff and the Department of Finance will proceed to implement the ordinance changes described in the bill; specific implementation tasks and timelines will be set in department guidance and follow-up materials to the council.
Ending note: The override restores expedited Bill 22-24 to full force; sponsors said the change is part of a broader effort to reduce costs associated with housing development in the county.
