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Baltimore board adopts 1-cent property tax cut, mayor says more relief planned
Summary
The Baltimore City Board of Estimates adopted routine items including a 1-cent property tax reduction and leaders said it is the first step in a multi-year plan to reduce property taxes; the board scheduled a special meeting June 24 to address end-of-fiscal-year items.
The Board of Estimates on June 17 adopted routine agenda items that include a 1-cent reduction in the property tax rate intended to lower the average effective property tax for many Baltimore homeowners. Board President said the reduction accompanies an amended cap on the homestead tax credit and thanked City Council leaders for negotiating the package.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott said the 1-cent cut is “just the beginning,” describing it as the first phase of a multi-year plan to reduce property taxes while maintaining fiscal responsibility. “We laid out a plan for how we were going to significantly reduce property taxes over time,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said, adding that the administration and council aim to implement reductions gradually.
Clerk’s remarks at the meeting noted the homestead cap was adjusted in the package (the president said the cap was moved from 6% to 5%). City officials emphasized that the reduction is part of a broader package and that some provisions, including adjustments to the homestead cap, will not go into effect immediately.
The board recorded no roll-call vote totals for the routine adoption in the transcript; the opening statement and routine agenda items were moved, seconded and approved by voice. The board president said a specially scheduled Board of Estimates meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 24 at 9:00 a.m. to process critical fiscal-year-end items.
Why it matters: City leaders framed the cut as relief for homeowners facing high costs of living and utility bills and positioned the action as the first step in a larger tax-relief plan that council and the administration are negotiating. Implementation details and timing for additional reductions were presented as part of a package rather than immediate stand-alone changes.
