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Public hearing: Montgomery County homeowners tax‑credit bill draws mixed testimonials on income and asset limits
Summary
At a public hearing on Bill 3‑25, advocates from Takoma Park, Habitat for Humanity and veterans' groups urged raising income and asset caps and indexing the county homeowners tax‑credit supplement for inflation; individual residents described steep assessment and tax increases. The hearing closed with council scheduling follow‑up materials for committee review.
The Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on Bill 3‑25, which would revise eligibility and amounts for the county supplemental homeowners property tax credit.
Kevin Doxey, president of the Montgomery County chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, testified in support of the bill, saying the measure could help enlisted veterans and other low‑income homeowners who are being priced out of the county. "We respectfully ask for the council's affirmative consideration of bill 3‑25," Doxey said.
Maya Talisha Searcy, speaking for the City of Takoma Park, urged four changes to the county supplement: raising the income limit, adjusting the net‑worth threshold, increasing the cap on assessed value the credit applies to, and indexing the credit to inflation. She noted that "today, about 100 low income households in Takoma Park receive the tax rebate," but that many more remain cost‑burdened due to rising home values and living expenses.
Sarah Redinger, vice president for housing and community strategies at Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, also supported the bill and asked the council to increase income and asset limits so households at risk of displacement can remain homeowners. "The current income limit of $60,000 I don't think has been raised since 2009," Redinger said, adding that the asset cap has not been updated since 2016.
Individual residents described steep assessment growth and disparate local programs. Neil Teplitz said his property tax rose from $1,090 in 1987 to $11,100 last year and urged the council to consider approaches used in other jurisdictions for seniors and low‑income homeowners.
Council President Kate Stewart closed the hearing; written materials and supporting analyses were requested for the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee, which has a work session scheduled for March 13, 2025. Speakers were reminded to submit additional materials by the stated deadlines.
No formal vote occurred at the hearing; the council directed interested parties to provide materials by March 6, 2025 for committee consideration.
