As of this writing, schools have been closed through the middle of May, and all non-essential businesses are still shuttered. This is the biggest challenge my generation has faced. I have been inspired and heartened by seeing the community rally to support first responders, health care workers, and frontline retail grocery and restaurant employees. I am hopeful that working together, our state and community has avoided the worst case scenarios and kept the virus from infecting and killing many more people. My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been directly affected by Covid-19 and all those who have lost businesses, savings, work, and suffered from the economic fallout from the response to the virus.

I am pleased to report that the Frederick County Council has begun virtual meetings. It is especially important during these emergency times that the legislative branch of government continues to function. Our virtual meetings have the same components of our live meetings, importantly providing a forum for public input. In these times when the executives of government are acting urgently and quickly, the County Council can be a forum for public input and discussion of government enactments.

The big issue this month is and will continue to be the Frederick County Government Budget for the Fiscal Year 2021 (which begins in July). The dramatic economic downturn has certainly changed the revenue forecast for the county. The current proposed budget increases by 4.4%, which given the economic uncertainty I believe is growing the county government too fast. The total Frederick County budget is proposed to increase to $665 million, almost $30 million more than last year. I will be working with the other Council Members that are so inclined to trim this budget growth to make sure that Frederick County can responsibly weather this economic downturn.

The main source of county revenue is property tax. Property values have continued to increase in Frederick County over the last three years, sometimes dramatically. Even though the property tax rate hasn’t changed, increasing property values mean that families are paying more for property taxes out of their family budgets. Now more than ever, in times where people are facing loss of income, businesses, and jobs, I believe that it is important for the property tax bills of families to remain constant, and not increase simply because the paper value of their homes or land has increased. I will be working to keep the amount of property tax revenue the same as last year and not have it increase as one way to help families facing this economic uncertainty.

The Governor has set forth a responsible plan for gradually reopening the state of Maryland and returning to a more normal state of doing business. We must still be cautious, but having seen the spirit of Frederick County citizens working together to stop this virus from being transmitted, I am optimistic that we can work together to reopen Maryland while acting responsibly to keep the virus transmission to a minimum.