Chesapeake Beach council postpones new tax-credit ordinance to seek county clarification

The Chesapeake Beach Town Council voted to remove Ordinance O‑26‑4 from tonight's agenda and asked staff to get clarifying information from Calvert County before reconsidering the measure.

Supporters had proposed a town tax credit that mirrors the county program to offset property-tax differentials for disabled public-safety employees and surviving spouses. At the public hearing a resident, Alec, asked whether the draft would cover federal officers who live in town but serve outside Calvert County; the town attorney (Speaker 2) said the draft as written limits eligibility to officers serving in Calvert County but that the council could amend that restriction.

Treasurer (Speaker 8) told the council that four properties in Chesapeake Beach currently benefit from the county's credit and that exempting those parcels from the town tax would reduce town revenue by $5,522. Several councilors said they wanted clearer language on who qualifies and how the town would administer applications. “I think we just owe it to him to go back and ask the county for a little clarification on this so that we make sure…how it applies,” said a council member (Speaker 7).

After discussion, Councilor Jamie (Speaker 7) moved to remove the ordinance from the agenda so staff could seek county guidance and provide financial figures; the motion was seconded and carried. The council did not adopt O‑26‑4 tonight and will revisit the ordinance after the administration returns with additional information about eligibility and the administrative process.

What happens next: Staff will consult with Calvert County and prepare a clearer implementation and eligibility plan for the council. The town will not move forward with a local tax exemption until that follow-up work is completed.