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Dorchester County Council suspends building excise tax for one year
Summary
The Dorchester County Council voted 4–0 (one member absent) to suspend the county building excise tax for one year, applying to permits filed July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. Council members noted the county’s strained finances may affect future suspensions.
The Dorchester County Council voted to suspend the county building excise tax for one year, applying to permits filed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
County Clerk Donna F. Lane opened a public hearing on Bill No. 2024-6, which would repeal and reenact Section 144-36.1 of the Dorchester County Code to effect the one-year suspension. No members of the public commented during the hearing, and the Council closed the hearing before taking a roll-call vote.
President George L. Pfeffer, Jr., announced the roll call: Pfeffer — aye; Mike Detmer — aye; Rob Kramer, Jr. — aye; William V. Nichols — absent; and Ricky C. Travers — aye, resulting in a 4–0 vote to adopt the suspension. Lane read the bill title and summary described in the hearing notice as a fair summary of the measure.
Council discussion before the vote noted the county has previously suspended this tax but that continuation of the suspension could be constrained by the county’s fiscal challenges. Councilman Pfeffer said while the suspension has been used in the past to stimulate construction, “with the County's financial hardships it may not continue in future years.”
The measure cites Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't §20-805 as the statutory basis for county tax authority; the bill’s title was designated a fair summary as part of the public-hearing process. The suspension takes effect July 1, 2024, and applies to building permits filed during the stated window.
The Council adjourned back to regular session after the vote. The county clerk recorded the result in the minutes and will follow the established ordinance-adoption procedures for publication and implementation.
