Public Hearing: Proposed Bill 2026-05 Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders

PUBLIC NOTICE
Bill 2026-05

The Charles County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in a hybrid format, both virtually and in person at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland, to consider the Bill #2026-05, Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders. The bill amends Chapter 281 of the Charles County Code to increase the amount a tax credit against the property tax imposed on the owner-occupied residence of an active or retired volunteer member of a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services company in Charles County, and their surviving spouses. Individuals or representatives of groups wishing to make comments during the public hearing may follow the instructions below.

In-person: Speaker sign-up will begin 30 minutes (1/2 hour) prior to the hearing at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata) and will end at the commencement of the public hearing.

Virtually: Call 240-776-6709 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 19, 2026, to register to speak. Once registered, individuals will receive a virtual link to testify between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. If you are not available to speak when your name is called, we have the right to move on to the next speaker. Each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. Written or recorded comments may be provided in lieu of oral testimony, or to expand upon oral testimony, and will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The following are acceptable formats for providing comments in advance of the scheduled hearing:

E-Comment Form: https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/public-comments/public-hearing-comments/proposed-bill-2026-05
Phone message: call 301-645-0652
Postal Mail/Hand Delivery: Addressed to Charles County Commissioners, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646. *Comments sent by mail must be received no later than May 19, 2026.

The bill may be viewed in the Government Building Auditorium at 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, MD 20646 or online at: https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/charles-county-commissioners/board-of-charles-county-commissioners-meetings. For more information, please contact Danielle Mitchell, at 301-645-0555 or by email [email protected].

Those individuals with special needs may contact the Commissioners' Office at voice phone number 301-645-0550 or Maryland Relay Service TDD 1-800-735-2258 for assistance. Additional questions or concerns may be directed to Danielle Mitchell, Office of the County Attorney, 301-645-0555 or [email protected].

BY ORDER OF THE CHARLES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Reuben B. Collins, II., Esq., President

In the event the notified meeting is canceled due to inclement weather or acts of nature beyond the control of the County, all items scheduled to be discussed or heard at the meeting will be rescheduled to a later date at 6:00pm in the County Commissioners Meeting Room.