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Howard County council members press MACo on rising property‑tax affordability; seniors’ credit discussed
Summary
Council members told MACo officials that rising home valuations have made Howard County property taxes unaffordable for many residents; MACo and Frederick County officials described a proposed senior property‑tax credit (30% credit on the first $500,000 of assessed value for qualifying seniors) and discussed assessment and homestead cap issues.
Council members told visiting Maryland Association of Counties officials at the July meeting that the most urgent local affordability problem in Howard County is rising property taxes tied to home‑value increases.
"Property taxes in Howard County are unaffordable," a councilmember said during question time, urging state or county relief. MC Keeganair, speaking from Frederick County experience, described legislation her county has drafted to help seniors stay in place: "If your house is $500,000 or worth assessed value or less, and you are over 65 years of age and your income level is... $120,000 a year or less, you can get a 30% credit on your property taxes," she said, noting she was speaking from memory and that the legislation will be shared with Howard County officials.
MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson added that state shifts of program costs onto counties — including teacher pension billing — increase pressures on local property taxes. Council members and MACo staff also discussed the mechanics of assessments and appeals, including the tradeoffs between resetting assessments at sale, allowing out‑of‑cycle appeals, and preserving homeowner protections such as homestead caps and phased‑in increases.
Why it matters: Councilmembers said that sustained home‑value growth has pushed many longtime owners into higher tax brackets, reducing affordability and slowing housing turnover. Officials weighed targeted local relief measures — such as senior credits — against the broader fiscal limits on counties and the state’s role in cost shifts.
The meeting outcome: MACo offered to send copies of its materials and the Frederick County draft legislation to Howard County officials for review. No formal county action was taken at the meeting.
