During his annual operating budget presentation, on Friday in Rockville, County Executive Marc Elrich proposed a 3.5 cent property tax rate increase to fund schools.
The recommendation is similar to his proposal in 2023, when he pitched a 10-cent property tax increase, which the county council decreased to 4.7 cents.
According to the county, the tax increase would generate $56.3 million for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). It would bring the total property tax rate in the county to $1.0605 per $100 of assessed value.
The tax increase is part of Elrich’s $7.7 billion recommended Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) operating budget, which also includes recommendations for a fare-free Ride On bus system and to expand the police department’s video drone program. The budget provides more than $3.6 billion to MCPS.
The county council will review the budget and make potential changes before approving it in May. The budget will go into effect July 1.
County Councilmember Andrew Friedson said he will oppose the tax increase. In a written statement, he said, “I’ve consistently voted against property tax increases — when the County Executive proposed them in the early days of COVID-19 and again in 2023, as well as multiple times in between. I will once again oppose raising the tax burden on Montgomery County families.”
Council President Kate Stewart did not directly address the proposed tax increase in her statement. She said, “The two major challenges we face this year are the unpredictable impact of the erratic and damaging cuts to federal jobs and federal aid combined with the unknown scope and scale of state budget obligations that will likely be shifted to Montgomery County.”
“As we make our way through these uncharted waters, we must carefully examine our resources and expenditures and plan for the unexpected, so that we are able to continue our unyielding commitment to support education, public safety, and our essential safety-net services,” Stewart said.
Elrich said the proposed rate is still the lowest of any jurisdiction in the region except Washington, D.C., which he said has a higher commercial property tax rate.
In a statement, Montgomery County Education Association Vice President Danillya Wilson said, “We applaud the County Executive for addressing the affordability crisis through progressive tax credits that would offset any proposed property tax increases for working class families.”
A statement from the school board says, “The Board of Education recognizes the tough economic challenges Montgomery County leaders face in allocating resources. Our main responsibility is to advocate for the resources needed to ensure student success and well-being. Our proposed budget focuses on critical needs like improving math and literacy, enhancing safety, and advancing equity.”
