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Council weighs real‑estate tax credit to recruit volunteer firefighters; $500 credit would cost about $7,000 now
Summary
Staff proposed a local real‑estate tax credit for volunteer firefighters who reside inside city limits to incentivize recruitment; staff recommended starting small (Frostburg residents only), estimated an initial $500 credit would total about $7,000 per year, and warned the timeline to implement for this tax year is tight.
City staff asked the council whether it wants to pursue a real‑estate tax credit for volunteer firefighters who live inside Frostburg city limits, saying the legal authority and state framework exist but implementation will require careful ordinance drafting and a tight schedule.
Hayden and Elaine explained the opportunity stems from state law that permits municipalities to grant tax credits to public‑safety officers; staff said the city can set local eligibility criteria (for example, requiring a qualifying volunteer to list Frostburg as a primary residence and to be certificated under state volunteer service rules). Elaine said staff reviewed other municipalities’ programs and that the city attorney, Michael Cohen, would need to draft an ordinance incorporating the eligibility, proration and transfer rules.
Staff recommended a modest starting approach limited to Frostburg volunteer firefighters and suggested a $500 credit as an example. Using a current list provided by the Frostburg Fire Department, staff estimated a $500 credit would total roughly $7,000 per year under present membership — a figure that could change if more volunteers qualify. Staff said the timeline is fast: tax bills are generated on a July 1 cycle and the Department of Assessments and Taxation processes related items in June, so ordinance drafting, verification lists from affected departments and a first‑reading schedule would need to be completed quickly to make this effective for the coming tax cycle.
Mayor Todd recused himself from the conversation, staff said. Councilmembers discussed whether to expand eligibility to nearby mutual‑aid departments (Shaft, Eastern Garrett, Mount Savage) and staff said adding them is possible but would require those departments to supply verified lists promptly; staff asked for direction and recommended keeping the first iteration narrowly focused to Frostburg residents to meet the tight deadline.
If the council directs staff to pursue the credit, staff said they will return with recommended ordinance language, verification procedures, and a firm cost estimate for council consideration at the March work session and subsequent readings.
