Under a proposal to be considered by the Caroline County Board of Supervisors tomorrow, citizens of the county could see an increase of up to 30% in their personal property taxes. The proposal is being floated as a result of a projected $1.6 million deficit in the county’s Utilities Fund and a $3 million increase in the county’s debt service in the upcoming fiscal year.
Currently, vehicles subject to personal property taxes are assessed at 50% of their National Automobile Dealer’s Association blue book value. Commissioner of Revenue Sharon Carter’s proposal includes options of increasing the accessed value by either 10%, 12%, or 15% resulting in accessed value of 60%, 62%, or 65%, respectively. As a result, residents would see an increase in their tax bills from between 20% to 30%. The increase in revenue to the county would range from $656,582 to just short of a million dollars. Interim County Administrator Alan Parton, in his memorandum to the Board, recommends the full 15% increase in assessed value.
However, not all residents would see an increase in their taxes. Commission or Revenue Sharon Carter’s proposal exempts business trucks and truck trailers “to avoid placing an undue burden on businesses with large road equipment.”