From now through the Election, you will be receiving mail from my campaign, detailing my opponent’s long record of raising taxes and out-of-control spending. Today’s piece explained to voters just how many times Ron Young raised taxes while an Alderman and Mayor of Frederick City.
In chronological order, those 27 taxes are as follows:
1. Property tax increase
It was moved by Alderman Kehne and seconded by Alderman Young that Ordinance S-59 setting the tax rate for the City of Frederick at $1.70 per hundred dollars of assessment be approved. The motion was unanimously carried. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 11, 1970
2. Water rate increase
It was moved by Alderman Kehne and seconded by Alderman Young that Ordinance G-70-4 providing for an increase in water meter rates within the city be approved. The motion was unanimously carried. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 11 1970
3. Sewer rate increase
It was moved by Alderman Kehne and seconded by Alderman Young that Ordinance G-70-5 providing for an increase in sewer service charges within the city be approved. The motion was unanimously carried. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 11 1970
4. Amusement tax created
City Attorney Stillrich presented Resolution 5-72, creating the levy of a 5% admission and amusement tax within Frederick City. On a motion by Alderman Young, seconded by Alderman Bowlus, the Board adopted the resolution, with Alderman Donald Rice voting in opposition. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 10 1972
5. Building permit fee increase
The Mayor opened discussion on increasing building permit fees from the present schedule to one-half of one percent of the construction cost. After discussion, it was moved by Alderman Hiltner, seconded by Alderman DeLauter and unanimously approved, that the City Attorney be instructed to draw the proper ordinance. It was noted that this ordinance will be numbered G-74-7. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 16, 1974
6. Property tax increase
Mayor Young presented in prepared statement the proposed Budget for the fiscal year 1974-75, stating that the tax rate would increase from $1.70 to $1.75 per $100.00 assessment value. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 28, 1974
7. Water and Sewer rate increase
The new water and sewer rates become effective July 1. The September, October, and November billings will be under the new rate schedule. There has been some concern among the industrial users that the new rate will be retroactive. Their meters will be read at the end of June and they will be billed at the old or present rate. The new rates will become effective July 1, 1974. This may necessitate one extra billing period this first year while the change is being made. “Statement of the City of Frederick” June 20, 1974
8. Property tax increase
Mayor Young presented in prepared statement the proposed budget for the fisca1 year 1975-76, stating that the tax rate wou1d increase from $1.75 to $1.80 per $100.00 assessment value. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 29, 1975
9. Amusement tax raised
We are also going to have to raise the amusement tax from the present 5% level to the permitted 10% level. “Mayor’s Budget Message” May 29, 1975
10. Building permit fee
The Mayor presented Ordinance G-76-5 amending Article 11 of the City Code entitled Buildings. After lengthy discussion which centered on the proposed $2.00 inspection fee and the distribution point of the permits, it was moved by Alderman Hiltner, seconded by Alderman Burket and unanimously approved that the ordinance be adopted as amended, and the City Engineer’s office designated as the office in charge of permits. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” March 4, 1976
11. Water and Sewer rate increase
The proposed new rate for water will call for a $15.00 semi-annual minimum and a $.60 per 1000 gallon charge on all water used over the minimum. the sewer charge will remain 100% of the water charge. All other water and sewer charges will be scaled proportionately. “Mayor’s Budget Message” May 25, 1976
12. Camping fee instituted
Alderman Bartgis, Chairman of the Parks, Streets & Sanitation Committee, and reported recommendations regarding camping at the Watershed. He moved that the recommendations be approved, seconded by Alderman Stull. Alderman Bartgis said that he estimated 30 to 35 camping sites are in the Watershed, and said that the fee schedule and regulations he recommended were not to encourage additional use of the property, but to obtain some financial return on the present level of use. Major Ashton said he would like to see some provision for revocation of a camping permit, should problems arise with misconduct. Alderman Bartgis said camping would be allowed only in designated areas. The City Attorney said Sec. 25-32 of the City Code defines regulations with which campers must comply and sets forth penalties for misdemeanors. The Mayor stated that it would be more convenient to have the person who had issued the permit revoke it than to require the police to come to the Watershed. Discussion on a time limit for camping followed. The recommendations, as amended by Alderman Bartgis, with Alderman Stull’s concurrance, are as follows:
1. That the Caretaker at the Watershed, Mr. Harold Weddle, administer the collection of fees and issuance of permits.
2. That one family or six unrelated people be permitted on each site.
3. That no reservations be taken for sites, and that sites be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. That the maximum size of travel trailers allowed be 221.
5. That the following fee schedule be established:
a. Without electricity, $2.50/day (Senior Citizens over age 65, $1.25)
b. With electricity, $4.50/day (Senior Citizens over age 65, $2.50)
6. That the maximum length of stay permitted be 2 weeks.
7. That no swimming be permitted in the reservoir.
8. That the City reserve the right to revoke the permit upon any violation of the rules and regulations applicable to the Watershed.
The motion passed, with Aldermen Bartgis, Delauter, Murphy and Stull voting aye and Alderman Grimes abstaining. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” August 10, 1978
13. Water and Sewer rate increase
The Mayor presented a proposed ordinance to amend the water rates for FY 1979-1980. The ordinance would impose a 10% rate increase on amounts of water used which are above the minimum gallonage. Mr. Harry D. Shi1dt, 25 East Patrick Street, noted the increase will also apply to sewer bills. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 14, 1979
14. Water and Sewer rate increase
The Mayor presented a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 25, Section 25-19 of the City Code to increase the water and sewer rates ten percent. On a motion by Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Bartgis, the Board unanimously approved the amendment and passed Ordinance G-82-8. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 10, 1982
15. Parking fees increased
The Mayor presented recommendations from the Parking Commission concerning increased parking rates in the parking deck and surface parking lots. On a motion by Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Bartgis, the recommendations were unanimously adopted. Effective March 1, 1983, the parking deck rate will be $27.00, and the surface parking lot rate will be $16.000 Effective January 1, 1984, the parking deck rate will be $30.00, and the surface parking lot rate will be $18.00. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” Jan 20, 1983
16. Water rate increase
The Board considered a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 25 of the City Code, entitled “Water”, to increase the water rates by ten percent. On a motion by Alderman Bartgis, seconded by Alderman Merchant, Ordinance G-85-5 was unanimously approved. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 23, 1985
17. Building re-inspection fee
On a motion by Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Merchant, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution 1-86 to amend section 114.0 of the City’s Building Code to establish a fee of $50 for each reinspection made necessary on account of work condemned or not in condition for inspection. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” Jan 2, 1986
18. Water and Sewer rate increase
On a motion by Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Kreissig, the Board unanimously adopted Ordinance G-86-3 to amend Chapter 25 of the City Code, entitled “Water, II to increase the water and sewer rates by ten percent. Mayor Young said the new wastewater treatment plant will have annual operating costs approximately $180,000 to $200,000 higher than the present plant. In other areas, rates have increased as much as 70% to 90% when new pl ants have begun operating. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” April 3, 1986
19. Business personal property tax rate frozen at 37 ½%
On a motion by Alderman Kreissig, seconded by Alderman Phillips, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution 5-86 to freeze the phase out of the business personal property tax at 37 1/2 percent. An eight-year phase out of this tax began on January 1, 1982 with the adoption of Resolution 33-81. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 15 1986
20. Parking fees increased
Increased rates for the parking decks on Church and Court
Streets as follows:
Existing Rate / Proposed Rate
Monthly Regular: $30.00 to $35.00
Monthly City Employee Hourly: $15.00 to $17.50
First Half Hour: $ .25 to $ .50
Each Succeeding Hour: $ .25 to $ .40
Daily Maximum: $ 2.00 to $ 3.00
Weeknights: $ .50 to $ .75
Weekends: $ .50 to $ .75
“Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” Jan 21, 1988
21. Water and Sewer rates increase
On a motion by Alderman Floyd, seconded by Alderman Kreissig, the Board unanimously ador.ted Ordinance G-88-7 to amend the City Code in Chapter 25, “Water, I Section 25-19, “Meter rates within city,” to increase water and sewer rates approximately 15%. “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” May 19, 1988
22. Property tax increase
For the first time in 14 years, the city plans to raise its property tax rate, from $1.50 to $1.60 on every $100 assessment. In addition, the higher tax rate will likely be coupled with increased property values, guaranteeing longtime city residents with one of their highest tax bills in years. Frederick News-Post “Mayor offers $23.6 million budget containing expensive surprises” May, 22 1988.
23. Plumbing fixtures fee increased
8.32.2 to increase permit fees for additional fixtures beyond the first fixture from $2.00 to $3.00 “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” June 9 1988
24. Assessment fee increased
1.2 Ordinance G-89-1 increasing the assessment fee in the $600 district to $1,000 “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” January 19, 1989
25. Parking fee increased
After removing items 1.5, 1.13, 1.14, 1.17, 1.18, 1.23, and 1.25, the Board unanimously approved the consent agenda on a motion by Alderman Kreissig, seconded by Alderman Floyd. Approved items are: 1.1 An increase of the parking garage fee to $38 per month “Mayor and Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes” January 19, 1989
26. Water and Sewer rate increase
We are also proposing a 10% increase on water/sewer rates to support the continued increase costs in water/sewer improvements and operations. “Mayor’s Budget Message” May 4, 1989
27. Firewood fee increase
The Board approved to increase the price of firewood from $12.00/cord to $15.00/cord. June 29, 1989
My opponent attempts to hide his tax-and-spend record, but I have presented every tax and fee in Young’s 20-year record with the City of Frederick to you here.