Property Tax Likely to Be Axed in Town of Chevy Chase, 2013-2014

As the Town of Chevy Chase Council considers how to deal with its surplus of approximately $8 million or $9 million, one concrete idea has been put forward: the elimination of the property tax for fiscal year 2013-2014.

Councilwoman Linna Barnes proposed eliminating the tax, and the council will vote on the matter on May 8.

"It’s exciting that our revenues have been so solid for the last two years that we can eliminate the property tax," Barnes said.

The property tax has been in the range of $100 and $120 per $1 million of assessed real property for the past year, Barnes added.

A few years ago when revenues in the town were up, Barnes—who has been a council member for ten years—moved to reduce the property tax, and it subsequently was reduced for a year.

Since the town must vote every year on how much the property tax will be, the property tax could always be reinstated if necessary. 

The town's decision on whether to eliminate the town's property tax will not affect the county's property tax, which Town of Chevy Chase residents still must pay.

On Tuesday, the town holds its annual election, and two council members—Barnes and Mayor Pat Burda—are up for reelection. Their challenger is John Bickerman, an attorney, mediator and budget economist.

Among the candidates, there is disagreement on how to deal with the budget surplus, which Barnes says was a surprise.

Read more about the election and the candidates' thoughts on how to deal with the surplus on Patch.