The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
DENTON – During Tuesday night’s public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, the three Caroline County commissioners made comments about potentially lowering property tax rates in Caroline.
While the county’s FY27 budget is still in its early stages, Commission President Travis Breeding said the county experienced an increase in revenue growth to the tune of $2 million from FY25 to FY26, and they are estimating that pattern to continue with another $2 million increase in FY27. The Commissioners see this as an opportunity for Caroline to lower the property tax rate.
“I would like to see us entertain a reduction in property tax rates,” said Commissioner Larry Porter, referencing a permanent rate decrease rather than a one-time rebate. He cautioned that this could be a premature assessment of the county’s financial abilities, and that they would have to wait for Caroline County Public Schools’ fiscal position as well, especially considering the impending middle school build.
Commissioner Breeding agreed, noting that a lower property tax rate would combat rising state reassessments, which he said heavily impact commercial and rental property owners. Commissioner Frank Bartz also said he would support a county property tax rate reduction.
After the meeting, Commissioner Breeding told Caroline Review.News that Cecil County had recently cut their property tax rates, and he was unaware of any “massive pushback” from the state. Nonetheless, “in light of the fiscal position the state is [in], there is always the risk” of the state of Maryland seeing counties reducing property tax rates as a sign that the county can absorb more of the cost burden. “At least we will be showing that we are making an effort to cut the rates. If the state decides to penalize us for it, there’s nothing we can do about that,” Commissioner Breeding said.
Commissioner Porter noted that the county’s current FY27 budget already absorbs “about $200 million in state cost shifts” to the county.
