Brian Levine, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
During a public hearing before the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, leaders of chambers of commerce testified against a 10-cent property tax increase proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich.
Brian Levine, Vice President of Government Affairs with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, said “a property tax increase, especially one of this magnitude and size, is untenable and we humbly ask that it be firmly rejected by the county council.”
Tuesday afternoon was the first of four council public hearings this week on Elrich’s $6.8 billion recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 operating budget. Elrich proposed the 10-cent property tax increase as part of his budget announcement.
Council President Evan Glass said more than 150 residents are expected to testify this week.
Paula Ross, President and CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, said the property tax increase — especially in combination with proposals for recordation tax increase and limits on rent increases — would deter investments, increase the cost of doing business and make it difficult to bring in a workforce. Ross was joined by Stephanie Helsing, President and CEO of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce.
According to Jennifer Bryant, director of the county’s Office of Management and Budget, the proposed 10-cent increase “will be allocated 100% to MCPS for their compensation packages, their learning enhancements — per state law the revenue generated from that tax has to go to the school system.”
Lee Benswanger, an AP Government teacher at Seneca Valley High School, encouraged the council to adopt the budget.
Dominique Parker, a teacher at Wootton High School and a Silver Spring homeowner, said Montgomery County Public Schools is in crisis.
“MCPS is short staffed,” she said. “Everyday more and more full time educators are leaving which means students are being taught by the few substitutes that can be found.”
Cindy Lotto, a social studies teacher at Gaithersburg High School, said five colleagues in her department alone are retiring this year or leaving the job.
