Officials working to come to an agreement for possible property tax hike

SALISBURY, Md. – In Salisbury, property tax changes are on the agenda, which could range anywhere from 12% to 15%.

“This level of service and expertise is not cheap,” Salisbury City Councilmember Angela Blake said.

Possible tax increases are on the table during Monday’s Salisbury City Council meeting.

“There was a tax proposal of 10% on property and 15% on a commercial to support fire safety services here in the city and the fire district which is outside of the county area,” says Blake.

Blake says the extra taxes will make the Salisbury Fire Department better equipped to save lives.

“The inflation of just the gas alone to fill the tanks, the equipment, how to maintain the equipment the training the salaries, nothing’s cheap,” Blake emphasized.

Also on the agenda is a possible 12% increase in water and sewer service bills. Blake says before any of these changes are made, more work needs to be done.

“The city needs to dig a little deeper and look at its budget and really really be cautious of the tax increase and things we’re proposing for the hardship and the burden it will put on the citizens,” Blake said.

City council members have said they need a joint effort with Wicomico County Council.

County Executive Julie Giordano says they are prepared to do their part.

“We originally, this past year gave $767,000, we budgeted for $860,000 and we even upped it to a million dollars so almost a 30% increase. We have said we have no problem doing a per-call basis like paying per call and we haven’t received a number yet,” Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano said.

One Salisbury resident says he is not happy with this proposal. He believes this measure will only drive people out of the area.

Councilmember Angela Blake says a project this big is not cheap, however, the Council and the Mayor’s office are looking at every possible option to work something out.

The next city council meeting will take place on May 22nd.