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Boonsboro keeps property tax rate as assessments rise; council adopts $0.3591 rate
Summary
The Boonsboro Mayor and Council voted March 10 to maintain the town's real property tax rate at $0.3591 per $100 despite a 6.4% increase in assessed values, a decision that will generate an estimated $89,441 in additional revenue for FY2026 and drew concern from one council member about impacts on long-term residents.
Boonsboro officials voted March 10 to keep the town's real property tax rate at $0.3591 per $100 of assessed value for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, despite a 6.4% increase in the town's assessed base from $390,290,247 to $415,197,249. Town Manager Rachel Souders presented the calculation and noted that maintaining the current rate would produce roughly $89,441 in additional real property tax revenue.
Assistant Mayor Tony Nally moved to adopt the unchanged rate. Council members approved the motion by roll call as recorded; the meeting minutes state the motion carried. Planner and staff materials presented a constant-yield rate of $0.3445 per $100, which would have offset the assessment growth and kept revenue neutral, but council declined to adopt that lower figure.
Council Member Marilee Kerns voiced concern that keeping the current rate means longtime residents will pay more because of rising assessments. Kerns urged fiscal responsibility in using new revenues. Town staff did not identify specific budget uses tied to the additional projected revenue at the March 10 meeting.
The rate applies to real property assessed by the Washington County Office of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation for tax year beginning July 1, 2025. The town also set a personal property tax rate of $0.875 per $100 as part of the FY2026 schedule. The council directed further budget work at a Budget Workshop set for 6:00 p.m. on March 31, 2025.
