Montgomery County property owners will pay about $29 more in real estate taxes next year.
The county s board of commissioners approved Thursday a 5% tax increase, raising the millage to 3.632. The county also assesses 0.39 mill to support Montgomery County Community College. That tax did not go up, resulting in a total county millage of 4.022.
Chief Financial Officer Dean Dortone said the increase combined with drawing down from the county s reserve fund will close a $17.1 million revenue gap. The 2021 spending plan totals $461.6 million. The average single-family home will be charged $617 in 2021, up about $29, eight cents per day more over a year.
Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh conceded that the increase is not welcome news, but said the Covid-19 pandemic clouds the county s financial future. She and Kenneth Lawrence Jr. voted in favor of the budget. Joseph Gale, the only Republican on the board, voted no.