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Supervisors consider removing BPOL tax cap to close budget gap; one member urges phased approach
Summary
Officials discussed removing Middlesex County's BPOL tax cap and other tax options to cover a $250,000 draft shortfall; Supervisor Bill Harris voiced concern about implementing the change without phasing.
County staff presented options to close the draft budget gap, including removing the BPOL (Business, Professional & Occupational License) tax cap as early as June. County Administrator Matthew L. Walker said removing the cap would shift more of the tax burden from property taxpayers, telling the Board that "Middlesex County is currently the only locality in the region with a cap on BPOL taxes, and removing the cap would diversify much of the burden."
Supervisor William A. (Bill) Harris cautioned the Board about the lack of phasing, arguing that "the philosophy the county seems to be applying to real estate taxes should be equally applied to taxation for local businesses." The Board did not take a vote on a BPOL change at the session; the option was presented as part of staff's menu of budget gap solutions for future deliberation.
