GGCC opposes proposed increase in county property tax & fees

The Issue:
​Montgomery County’s proposed FY2026 budget includes two major tax and fee increases that will burden businesses and residents. MCCC is taking action – and we need your voice.  There is strength in numbers. Let’s stand together.What’s at Stake?

• ​A 3.4% property tax increase – following a 4.7% hike just two years ago.
• A sharp rise in the systems benefit charge, increasing costs for all property types.

Why We Oppose These Increases:
​Another property tax increase would unnecessarily raise costs for both businesses and residents. In addition, the proposed increase to the systems benefit charge would mean a 31% hike for single-family homes, a 104.4% increase for multi-family properties, and a 104.9% jump for commercial properties. Simply put, residents and businesses cannot afford these added financial burdens.

GGCC is working with MCCC and other chambers to urge its members to join us in making their voices heard and calling on the County Council to remove the proposed increases to the property tax and systems benefit charge.

How You Can Take Action:

• ​E-Mail members of the Montgomery County Council. They need to hear from Chamber members and business leaders about why these increases are bad for Montgomery County businesses and our local economy.
• Attend the upcoming  April 22nd public hearing​ on the Proposed Property Tax Increasefrom1:30 – 3:30pm, and/or provide oral or written testimony in opposition of the property tax increase.
  Location: Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD – Third Floor Hearing Room.
  ​Deadline tosign up to speakis April 21, at 2:00pm. 
• Post on your company’s and personal social media channels.

For ideas:

*Please copy the email template below, customize it with your information, and send it directly to Montgomery County Councilmembers to make your voice heard*

 

Suggested Email Template:

Subject: Vote No to Property Tax and Systems Benefit Charge Increases!

Councilmember,

[Your Name/Company] urges the County Council to reject County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed 3.4% property tax increase for FY2026. [Add where you live and/or where your business is located.]

Montgomery County residents and businesses cannot absorb the burden of additional property taxes—especially following the 4.7% increase implemented just two years ago. Rising property tax assessments are already putting financial strain on both households and businesses.
The proposed increase to the systems benefit charge would make things even worse: single-family homes would face a 31% hike, multi-family properties would see a 104.4% increase, and commercial properties would pay 104.9% more. Simply put, these proposed increases are unaffordable for our community.

[Add an anecdote about how this will negatively impact your business.]

Montgomery County is already a challenging environment for businesses. These increases would further harm our County’s competitiveness.