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Commissioners adopt volunteer fire tax credit, boosting credit from $500 to $2,500
Summary
The Board adopted Bill 20‑26‑05 to raise the volunteer property tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and EMS from $500 to $2,500 annually and to apply the change to the 2026–27 assessment year if enacted; a resident urged approval during public comment.
Charles County commissioners voted to adopt Bill 20‑26‑05 on the volunteer fire tax credit after a brief public hearing and a single public commenter who urged passage.
Danielle Mitchell, acting deputy county administrator, told the board the bill would amend Chapter 281 to increase the volunteer property tax credit from $500 to $2,500 annually for qualifying volunteer emergency responders and their surviving spouses. She said the change would also apply to the 2026–27 tax assessment year if the board adopts the ordinance.
Joseph Mank, a District 4 resident who spoke in favor, praised volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders and said their willingness to enter dangerous situations saves the county substantial expense compared with a fully professionalized force. "These are folks that rush to people with medical emergencies," he said, urging commissioners to support the measure.
With no additional public speakers, the board moved to close the record, end the hearing and adopt the bill. The motions carried by voice vote ('aye').
