Charles County commissioners reintroduce emergency bill to raise volunteer property tax credit

Charles County Board of Commissioners members voted to reintroduce as emergency legislation a bill that would raise the county’s property tax credit for volunteer emergency responders from $500 to $2,500.

Danielle Mitchell, acting deputy county administrator, told the board that the change must be effective by July 1 to apply to the 2026 tax bill and that ordinary county legislation becomes effective 45 days after passage. Mitchell said reintroducing the measure as emergency legislation would bypass the usual 45-day waiting period and allow the credit to take effect on July 1 if the board ultimately approves it after the public hearing.

The measure, identified in the meeting as Bill 2026-05, was introduced by Mitchell and discussed by Jake Dyer, director of fiscal administrative services, who joined Mitchell in explaining timing and implementation considerations. The Chair called for a motion to reintroduce the bill as emergency legislation and to affirm the public hearing date of May 19, 2026 at 6 p.m.; a commissioner moved, the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

During discussion, a commissioner said the bill’s income cap was preventing many volunteers from qualifying and urged the county to seek removal of the cap through the state delegation in Annapolis. Mitchell answered that any change to the state-level cap would require a separate legislative request and that the county’s legislative proposal process would consider such requests in the fall when the board meets with its delegation.

The board’s reintroduction clears the way for a public hearing on May 19 and for staff to prepare formal legislative materials and any required fiscal notes or follow-up. The board indicated the item would return for final action after the hearing.