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June 16, 2025

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2 News Homepage

Talbot Voters Will Decide on Proposed Changes to Tax Cap

October 25, 2020 by John Griep

This video is about 17 minutes long.

Talbot voters will decide on two substantive changes to the county’s property tax revenue cap and a third measure that would correct faulty language in the current tax cap, which was approved by voters in 1996.

Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Emergency Services Director Clay Stamp have been leading the charge in seeking voter approval for the ballot questions.

The public safety officials say the existing cap has limited the county’s ability to attract and retain deputies, paramedics, and other first responders.

Salaries and benefits for first responders are lower than in surrounding counties, the two have said, making it difficult to find new hires for open positions and leading to trained staffers leaving for better compensation packages elsewhere.

The county also needs to build a new office for the sheriff’s office and the county health department, as well as provide an additional substation for paramedics, officials have noted.

Question B on the ballot for Talbot County voters is a charter amendment that would clarify how the county computes the property tax rate.

The current language, in Section 614 of the Talbot County Charter, identifies the properties included in the calculation as those “existing on the County real property tax rolls at the commencement of the County fiscal year.”

But that wording does not accurately reflect how the information is determined.

The county finance department actually uses the constant yield tax rate certification supplied by the state to determine the tax rate needed to comply with the tax cap.

Question B would amend the language to change it to those properties “included in the Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification prepared by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.”

According to the League of Women Voters (LWV) analysis in the voters’ guide at vote411.org:

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to clarify that the County would use the Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification supplied by the State when determining the property tax rate to be used in the new fiscal year.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the inaccurate wording would remain in the Charter.”

This video is about 20 minutes long.

Question C would amend the tax cap by eliminating a reference to the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U). The existing property tax revenue cap limits the annual increase in property tax revenues to 2% or CPI-U, whichever is less.

Question C would eliminate CPI-U, which in some years has been less than 2%, further restricting the county’s ability to increase revenues to fund needed services and capital projects.

Since the current tax cap took effect in 1997, the increase in property tax revenues has been limited below 2% during nine fiscal years (with an average increase of 1%) and has been limited to 2% during 15 fiscal years (when CPI-U increased an average 2.78%), according to the LWV voters guide.

“This means that nine times the revenue cap has kept pace with the yearly national rate of inflation, but it has also been less than the national rate of inflation 15 times,” according to the League of Women Voters. “This resulting constriction of tax revenue leaves the County with insufficient revenue to fund all of the budget requests from County departments. While County services have continued to be funded, funding has not addressed all of the needs of the County and has left County departments with unfunded needs. Eliminating the CPI-U alternative would help County services over the long term keep pace with fixed costs and growing needs.

“County salaries and benefits, especially for public safety and emergency services employees, are not competitive with surrounding counties causing Talbot County the loss of valuable, trained personnel to those jurisdictions. For example, Talbot County loses several deputies every year, and it costs the County $97,482 for the first year of a newly trained deputy.”

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to eliminate the use of the CPI-U as an alternate to the 2% cap on tax revenue, leaving the cap on tax revenue at 2% going forward.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the CPI-U would continue as an alternate to the 2% cap on tax revenue.”

Question D would allow the county council to temporarily increase the property tax rate above the revenue cap by up to one cent per $100 of assessed value for five years only.

A one cent increase in the property tax rate would cost the owner of a home assessed at $250,000 an additional $25 annually; an additional $50 annually for the owner of a home assessed at $500,000.

Officials have pitched the one cent increase as a way for the county to catch up on lost revenue from the years when CPI-U limited the increase in revenue below 2% and as a way to help fund much-needed capital projects.

“Talbot County’s revenue cap is one of the most restrictive in the State of Maryland, making it extremely difficult for the County to raise sufficient revenue to fund certain initiatives, including key public safety projects, such as a new facility for the Talbot County Sheriff; additional equipment and personnel for the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services; and, a new facility to house the Talbot County Health Department,” according to the League of Women Voters.

In its voter guide, the LWV notes:

“The County Council is, therefore, asking the voters to give the Council authority to increase revenues above the revenue cap, but only temporarily and with a limit of up to one cent (1¢) per one hundred dollars of assessed value. The Charter Amendment would authorize the County Council to raise revenues above the revenue cap by up to one cent (1¢) per one hundred dollars of assessed value for five years only.

“Arguments in Favor: County tax revenues have not kept pace with the rise in County costs to fund the full functioning of all County departmental needs, nor to remain competitive with other counties in our region in attracting and retaining employees,” according to the League of Women Voters. “This means there are fewer dollars available to fund capital projects that this ballot question is meant to address.

“The ability to increase revenues temporarily above the revenue cap would allow the County Council to fund costs anticipated for near-future capital expenses, including the new Sheriff and Health Department buildings and equipment for emergency services. Any temporary rise in tax revenue above the cap would go toward these projects. Increasing revenue now would reduce the cost of borrowing money to fund these needs.

“Arguments Against: This measure is almost sure to be used by the County Council over the next five fiscal years resulting in property taxes that are higher than 2% over the previous year.

“A vote FOR the Charter amendment means the Talbot County Charter would be amended to allow the Council the option of generating revenues above the revenue cap by up to one cent (1¢) per $100 of assessed valuation for the next five fiscal years.

“A vote AGAINST the Charter amendment means that the Charter would not be amended to allow an exception to the cap on tax revenue beyond the limit specified in the Charter.

The Talbot County Democratic Central Committee supports passage of all three tax cap measures, noting on its website:

“Question B will have no impact on property tax rate. This is a technical fix to reflect the way the assessable tax base is determined in the original charter.

“Question C is a permanent change to the way revenue is calculated. We currently use the Urban CPI or 2% whichever is lower. The Urban CPI does not accurately reflect the needs of a rural county.

“Question D is urgent for 2021 Fiscal Year for the County. Based on our population growth, we need more ambulance crews. Currently we cannot guarantee the twenty-minute minimum response time for an ambulance will be met, especially in the north part of the County without a fourth ambulance. This provision would also allow for more competitive pay for first responders.

“This amendment would allow a temporary increase of one penny per hundred dollars of assessed property value. It will provide the funds we need to meet the public safety needs of our citizens. The cost would amount to an annual increase of $25 for a property valued at $250,000 or $50 for a property valued at $500,000.

“The increase ends in five years.”

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 2 News Homepage Tagged With: ballot questions, charter, clay stamp, election, Joe Gamble, league of women voters, property tax, revenue, Talbot, Talbot County, tax cap, voters guide

Stand Up Against Substance Abuse, ‘Go Purple’ with Talbot Goes Purple

September 1, 2020 by Spy Desk

Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Tidewater Rotary invite everyone to attend a virtual kick-off for Talbot Goes Purple at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

This year’s kick-off is virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will livestream on multiple platforms, including Facebook. The kick-off will include brief remarks with Sheriff Gamble, and Lucie Hughes, of Tidewater Rotary, before officially going purple with Easton Utilities.

“We’re excited about year four of Talbot Goes Purple, even though obviously we have some challenges with getting our messages out into the community,” said Gamble. “COVID has really caused some major setbacks among people with substance use disorder, and we’re committed to finding new ways to reach youth and families here in Talbot County.”

New, virtual activities for this year include free film screenings of both “The American Opioid Crisis: Talbot Goes Purple,” a documentary from Ferrari Films that screened last year, and the latest film from Chris Herren, “The First Day.” TGP also has formed a student ambassador program that includes virtual projects with this year’s educational messages.

“Tidewater Rotary is proud to be a part of Talbot Goes Purple for the fourth year,” said Hughes. “It is critical we continue to educate the citizens of Talbot County.  While this year it may look a little different, I am confident our community will continue to support this effort.”

Easton Utilities’ support again includes the installation of 14,000 purple lights and 75 purple spotlights that will shine purple throughout downtown Easton for the month of September.

“As proud supporters of TGP, Easton Utilities remains committed to giving this important issue a visual presence in our community,” said Kelly Simonsen with Easton Utilities.

This is year four for the initiative, and the community can again display purple lights and gear starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month as a show of taking a stand against substance abuse. Purple lights and other fun stuff are available online at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Lights also are again available at E.D. Supply in Easton.

For information on our student ambassador program, email [email protected]. The program is open to all youth, ages 18 and under, in Talbot County with parent/guardian permission. Details about this year’s events will become available on the TGP Facebook page @TalbotGoesPurple.

Talbot Goes Purple is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative includes purple clubs in our middle and high schools through which students learn they do not need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. The purpose of the project is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes

Talbot Goes Purple is an initiative of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter and Paul School and Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 2 News Homepage Tagged With: Easton Utilities, Joe Gamble, lucie hughes, prevention, substance abuse, Talbot County Sheriff's Office, Talbot Goes Purple, Tidewater Rotary

COVID-19: Mid-Shore Public Safety with Sheriff Joe Gamble

April 7, 2020 by Dave Wheelan

While the emphasis on public health is the necessary priority for government agencies on the Eastern Shore, Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble has been studying up on its possible impact the coronavirus crisis may have on the Mid-Shore. From idle young people falling prey to sexual predators on the internet, a rise in drug use, or the potential increase in theft and burglaries as the result of high unemployment, Sheriff Gamble and his colleagues in the five-county region have had to anticipate the worst as America prepares for the long term impact of the pandemic.

Notwithstanding those grim forecasts, Sheriff Gamble does report at this early stage of the crisis a marked decrease in vehicle violations, service calls, and, at least at this point, no significant increase in domestic violence. Those data points might change in the future, but he gives high marks to his community and the Shore for being responsible and taking the pandemic threat seriously.

We spoke to Sheriff Gamble from a safe distance outside is his office in Easton yesterday afternoon.

This video is approximately five minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 2 News Homepage, News Portal Lead Tagged With: Joe Gamble, Public Safety

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