Four years ago, Talbot County voters overwhelmingly approved a temporary increase in the property tax revenue cap by an “extra penny.” Our public safety operations were facing a recruitment and retention crisis because of low pay and inferior benefits compared to surrounding jurisdictions.
Talbot County has made enormous progress with the “extra penny” on the property tax since 2022. Sheriff’s Deputies’ pay is competitive and Sheriff’s Deputies now are on the state-sponsored LEOPS retirement program, allowing them to retire after 25 years. These benefits, in conjunction with solid leadership, means the Sheriff’s department can fill open positions. Deputies now retire from the department – a once-rare circumstance – rather than leaving to work in other jurisdictions.
Likewise, our Emergency Services compensation has increased. Pay for Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and 911 Dispatchers is more competitive than in 2020—though we need to monitor this against surrounding counties—and Paramedics are now eligible for the LEOPS retirement program, a popular benefit. The county has stepped its sixth Advanced Life Support ambulance crew to a seven-day, round-the-clock unit, helping us keep response times within the critical 8-minute standard. The County is planning a new ambulance station near the Chapel District Elementary School, which will help reduce response times in the northeast corner of Talbot County, where we have struggled to meet the 8-minute standard.
Our County Detention Center has faced staffing shortages, forcing mandatory overtime to operate the facility safely. The County has responded by boosting Correctional Officer salaries and budgeted to convert their retirement plan to the more robust state-sponsored CORS program.
The State of Maryland mandates what we spend on our court system and the minimum that we must spend on public schools. While the state allows the county to exceed its property tax cap to fund schools, there is no state mandate to fund the Sheriff’s department, or ambulance services, or road repairs. And so these critical County services may suffer if the property tax cap restricts revenues and forces cuts.
All of the funds raised by the “extra penny” on the property tax since 2022 —and more—has gone to boosting public safety. The “extra penny” runs out in 2026. The Talbot County Council unanimously authorized a ballot question to renew the “extra penny” for seven more years, out of concern public safety costs will continue to rise faster than the 2% property tax cap.
Voting FOR Question A allows the County Council the option to levy the “extra penny” for seven more years—through fiscal year 2033. Even with this “extra penny,” over the last 4 years or for the next 7 years, Talbot County maintains the lowest property tax rate in the State of Maryland.
If you support public safety and emergency services, vote FOR Question A. Do it for your family’s safety. Do it for your neighbors. Do it for your own good. Vote FOR Question A.
Pete Lesher
Easton
Tony Kern says
Pete is spot-on; vote FOR Question A.
Lyn Banghart says
Thank you, Pete! If you say it, it must be true!
Avery Thompson says
Trappe has zero police. Pete make it two cents so that the county can equally share the public safety in other areas because the Town of Trappe cant seem to do it.
With recent public safety issues in the town, you would think that hiring police would be a top priority over giving the council members a pay increase for them self.
Ordinance 3-2023.
Trappe used to have Law Enforcement as a line item on there yearly budget. However now in 2024 they do not even show it on the budget. It is just a blank space 4460 -Law Enforcement. Trappe continues to collect revenue from Lakeside for police so I guess the residents should be lucky that they are at least making interest on the Law Enforcement reserve.
There is revenue to be made in just speeding tickets thru the enforcement areas of US Rte 50 Trappe.
Pete you have my vote Yes for the penny but the County needs to do more when it comes to safety in its towns.
The people of Trappe should not be in the middle of the towns bank account/budget and a armed robbery, all because the town cant implement a budget that addresses all the needs of the people. Public Safety as one of them.
Doug Holly says
The Chesapeake Forum recently ran a program about how to avoid being scammed. The Sheriff’s department provided a very informative presentation. Detective Sam Faggert provided a wealth of practical recommendations on how to avoid being scammed as well as some of the local scams occurring in the area. He also addressed a number of concerns and questions from the participants. I came away impressed by both insights shared and the concern for the community. We are fortunate to have this team of professionals.