Voters approve open space tax
LOWER FREDERICK » Township voters agreed to impose an earned income tax on themselves to raise money to preserve open space.
A 203-vote margin separated the “yays” and “nays” in Tuesday’s vote tally, according to unofficial results posted by Montgomery County.
The approval margin was just over 53 percent of the votes cast.
Voters approved a tax of five-hundredths of 1 percent (.0005) on paychecks “for purposes of securing open space benefits and for transactional fees incidental to acquisitions of open space property; retire indebtedness incurred in acquiring open space; and the expenditure of funds for any purpose relating to the acquisition, planning for acquisition, preservation, improvement and maintenance of open space or for an open space benefit.”
That works out to 50 cents for every $1,000 earned. As a result of the vote:
• A person earning $25,000 a year would pay $12.50;
• A person earning $50,000 would pay $25;
• A person earning $75,000 would pay $37.50;
• A person earning $100,000 would pay $50.
It is estimated the new tax would generate between $75,000 and $80,000 per year.
The tax will be imposed only on wages and not on retirement income, investment income or Social Security payments.
“I am pleased that Lower Frederick’s referendum question has passed,” Chuck Yeiser, chairman o the board of supervisors, said in a statement provided to MediaNews Group.
“In addition to preserving farmland, we will also have the opportunity to preserve a diverse mix of natural features such as streams, riparian corridors, forests, and wetlands that are important for the ecosystem services they provide and that help define our unique aesthetic. I look forward to working with members of our community to preserve open space, protect our natural areas and conserve our rural and historic heritage,” Yeiser wrote.
The township adopted an open space plan in 2006, which was updated in 2015, totaling 138 pages. Among other things, the plan identifies 14 parcels totaling more than 430 acres as “high priority” for preservation and protection.
The plan also calls for the creation of an Open Space Committee.