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Council adopts childcare property‑tax credit after three amendments, scaling benefit and adding reporting
Summary
The council adopted O1‑26 on third reading on April 13 after three amendments that reduced the maximum credit from $10,000 to $4,000, added an annual reporting requirement, and clarified eligibility for property owners who lease space to licensed child‑care operators.
The Annapolis City Council on April 13 adopted ordinance O1‑26 to create a property‑tax credit for child‑care centers, family child‑care homes and large family child‑care homes after passing three amendments intended to narrow fiscal exposure and ensure program accountability.
Alderman Shandlmeier moved Amendment 1, which "scales the tax credit down from $10,000 to $4,000," saying the lower cap keeps the program meaningful for most facilities while limiting fiscal impact. The council approved that amendment by voice vote.
Amendment 2, moved by Alderman Thorpe, requires the city manager to provide a report on the results of the program to the council, adding an accountability and assessment step that council members said would help track outcomes.
Amendment 3, moved by Alderman Smith Brown, clarified that the tax credit can apply to property owners who lease space to a state‑licensed or registered child‑care operator, addressing testimony that some providers operate in rented spaces and could otherwise be excluded.
The ordinance, as amended, passed on second and then third reading. During committee consideration, members heard from local providers who supported the credit; the rules committee reported a favorable recommendation with the three amendments noted. The transcript recording of the meeting shows unanimous council support in the roll calls that followed the third‑reading motion.
Why this matters: Annapolis is seeking to expand child‑care capacity by lowering operating costs for providers and landlords who host child‑care operations. Supporters argued the credit helps make it economically feasible for small providers to operate or expand, while council members added reporting and eligibility language to limit unintended fiscal exposure.
Next steps: The credit will be administered according to the ordinance language; staff will produce the required report to the council as specified by the amendment.
