When Policy Moves, So Do We. This page equips MCCC members with alerts and materials to respond quickly and effectively to legislative actions.
Toolkit:
The Issue:
Montgomery County’s proposed FY2026 budget now includes an income tax increase, in addition to 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?
Why We Oppose These Increases:
An increase to the income tax and the property tax 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.
Action Alert:
MCCC is urging its members to join us in making their voices heard and calling on the County Council to remove the proposed increases to the income and property tax and systems benefit charge.
How You Can Take Action:
Deadline to sign up to speak is expected to be May 12th, at 2:00pm. (we will share a link to sign up when it becomes available)
The Issue:
Montgomery County’s proposed FY2026 budget now includes an income tax increase, in addition to 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 0.1% income tax increase - raising the County's income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%.
- 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:
An increase to the income tax and the property tax 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.
Action Alert:
MCCC is urging its members to join us in making their voices heard and calling on the County Council to remove the proposed increases to the income and 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.
- Let your voice be heard — call your Councilmember and leave a message sharing your stance. Every message counts.
- Attend the upcoming May 13th public hearing on the Proposed Income Tax Increase from 1:30 – 3:30pm, and/or provide oral or written testimony in opposition of the income tax increase.
Deadline to sign up to speak is expected to be May 12th, at 2:00pm. (we will share a link to sign up when it becomes available)
- Post on your company’s and personal social media channels.
E-mail to send to Council
*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 Income and Property Tax and Systems Benefit Charge Increases!
Councilmember,
[Your Name/Company] urges the County Council to reject County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed income and property tax and systems benefit charge increases for FY2026.
Montgomery County residents and businesses cannot absorb the burden of additional income 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.
While we are pleased that the property tax increase is not expected to move forward, we are just as concerned about the proposal to increase the County’s income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%. Businesses and families are struggling and now is not the time to increase costs with more taxes.
Additionally, we remain opposed to the systems benefit charge that 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.
Vote NO on all tax and fee increases!
*Items highlighted in red to be customized by each member
Suggested Email Template:
Subject: Vote No to Income and Property Tax and Systems Benefit Charge Increases!
Councilmember,
[Your Name/Company] urges the County Council to reject County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed income and property tax and systems benefit charge increases for FY2026.
Montgomery County residents and businesses cannot absorb the burden of additional income 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.
While we are pleased that the property tax increase is not expected to move forward, we are just as concerned about the proposal to increase the County’s income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%. Businesses and families are struggling and now is not the time to increase costs with more taxes.
Additionally, we remain opposed to the systems benefit charge that 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.
Vote NO on all tax and fee increases!
*Items highlighted in red to be customized by each member
Councilmember Contact List
You can find your District Councilmember here by searching by your home or business address. However, we encourage you to contact the entire County Council to express your opposition to the proposed property tax increase.
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Council President Kate Stewart District 4
[email protected] Phone: 240-777-7968 Councilmember Gabe Albornoz At-Large [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7959 Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe District 2 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7960 Councilmember Evan Glass At-Large [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7966 Councilmember Dawn Luedtke District 7 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7860 Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles At-Large [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7964 |
Council Vice President Will Jawando At-Large
[email protected] Phone: 240-777-7811 Councilmember Natali Fani-González District 6 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7870 Councilmember Sydney Katz District 3 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7906 Councilmember Kristin Mink District 5 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7955 Councilmember Andrew Friedson District 1 [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7828 |
