Category Archives: Cambridge Matters

Get Involved in Local and State Tax Decisions

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Get Involved in Local and State Tax Decisions – by Sharon Smith, CAN Board Member

As you probably know from social media, television, and local newspapers Maryland and Dorchester County are facing large deficits in funding in the upcoming year. This is certain without knowing what actions the federal government may take. Both the state and county are entering the tax planning season now.

Now is the time for all concerned taxpayers to get involved and voice your priorities for your tax dollars to your elected officials.

The impending Dorchester County budget deficit is largely the result of the state pushing expenses onto the counties, especially “The Blueprint” for education expenses, according to recent County Council comments.

The current county budget is $82M, of which $38.6M comes from property taxes – the average Maryland property tax rate is 1.02-1.07%: Dorchester County’s rate is 1.00. Another $18.M comes from income taxes – the 23 counties and Baltimore City levy local income tax as a percent of the state income tax. Rates range from 2.25% to 3.20%. Dorchester County’s rate is at 3.20%

The remainder of the funding comes from many sources – fees, licenses, permits, fines, etc., the largest of which is $6.3M in federal, state and local aid.

The single largest expense for Dorchester County is the Department of Education at $23.7M. However, the DoE is projecting a deficit of $4.8M ($88.5M – $83.7M) this year and $11.5M ($86M – $97.5M) for 2025-2026. This is according to the Board of Education work session in January 2025.

In 2024 the per pupil funding in Maryland for Pre-K through 12 averaged $19,427. In that year, Dorchester school funding was $20,104: $14,405 was state funding and $5,698 was from the county according to the Department of Legislative Services. State education funds vary greatly across counties.

What can you do?

You can attend budget meetings, read and understand the budgets and the issues, discuss the problems and opportunities with your County Councilman, contact your state senator and representatives, and the governor and comptroller.  Contact information is included.

The upcoming county Budget Work Session #1 is Tuesday, 02/25/2025– Capital at 6:00 p.m.

Budget Work Session #2 is Tuesday, 03/11/2025 at 6:00 p.m. Both are in the County Office Building.

The council is asking for your input!

Contact Information

Dorchester County Council Members

Governor

Wes Moore  By Phone​. (410) 974-3901 1-800-811-8336.  Email at link https://md.accessgov.com/governor/Forms/Page/cs/contact-the-governor/0

Comptroller

Brooke Lierman   (410) 260-7801 Brooke@marylandtaxes.gov

Maryland General Assembly

Maryland Legislative District 37

Please see the following budgets of interest:

January Dorchester County Public Schools Budget Briefing

Current Dorchester County Budget:

 

 

Cambridge Matters – March 2024

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Dear Readers:

Attached is a new Cambridge Matters that I believe is very important for the ongoing progress and improvement of Dorchester County. While you may have a different opinions on what is being proposed, it is important that we let our County Council Members know that we want these issues to be placed on the ballot in November.

When they approve the placement on the ballot, the lawyers will prepare questions that the voters will need to answer when we go to vote.

The attached provides the proposals without all of the details and reasons. Those will be provided in the months to come so that you have a full understanding of why they were proposed and what the benefit is for having them in the County Charter.

I cannot repeat too often that this is about the county and not the city of Cambridge, so you contact should be with your county council representative.

I am attaching a copy in “Word” and “PDF”.

Steve
WORD FORMAT

Download (DOCX, 27KB)


PDF FORMAT

Download (PDF, 178KB)

Cambridge Matters – August 2023

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Mayor Stephen Rideout
mayor@choosecambridge.com

Dear Readers:

Attached is my August Cambridge Matters in both Word and PDF. In addition, I am attaching the currently proposed Curfew Ordinance 1221 with no changes and the most recent data from the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) about Dorchester County youth (including Cambridge) and their involvement with DJS or the court.

I know that it is a lot of material to read but you can choose to just read the Cambridge Matters or dig deeper into the issue of juvenile delinquency here. As you will see by the numbers from DJS, the number of children that are court or DJS involved is very small compared to the number of children that live in the county and Cambridge. We have many children that are doing the right thing. We just need to find ways for these few children to be redirected effectively.

That does not diminish the frustrations that exist in the community as a result of this behavior, but it does show us that with the right services and some better directed state funding, these challenges can be addressed effectively and comprehensively. I also would remind us that we did not arrive at this place over night. These issues have been with us for a long time without being effectively addressed.

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Steve

WORD VERSION

Download (DOCX, 29KB)


PDF VERSION

Download (PDF, 122KB)


Download (PDF, 3.41MB)


Download (PDF, 2.34MB)

Cambridge Matters – July 7, 2023

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Mayor Stephen Rideout
mayor@choosecambridge.com

Dear Readers:

Attached is my July Cambridge Matters in Word and PDF. I hope that you are in a safe and cool place today and will find time to read my thoughts and start looking for the many positive things that are happening here in Cambridge and Dorchester County.

While this Cambridge Matters is relatively short, there many other positive things that I could write about that are happening here. As you hear about things, write something about what is happening or share it with me so that I can collect another batch of positive stories and get them out to you.

Steve

WORD VERSION:

Download (DOCX, 27KB)


PDF VERSION:

Download (PDF, 73KB)

Cambridge Matters – April 6, 2023

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Mayor Stephen Rideout
mayor@choosecambridge.com

Dear Readers:

It has been some time since you have heard from the Dorchester Citizens for Better Government about the effort to change the county charter. While we have been silent, we have not given up on this effort. Attached is my Cambridge Matters report on what we have done and what I anticipate will be coming soon to keep this idea alive for the 2024 election.

I have also attached in PDF the two petitions that we were proposing for the changes we thought were needed.

Our work had some success in that the county meetings are now shown on Town Hall Streams over the internet and the county has an Acting County Manager who is doing a lot of great work to make some needed changes.

Steve

Download (DOCX, 26KB)


Download (PDF, 4.3MB)


Download (PDF, 1.54MB)