In an attempt to create some incentive for volunteer firefighters who reside in Ocean City, officials this week voted to pass a property tax credit for active members of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company who live in town.
Earlier this month, the Ocean City Council approved a new memorandum of understanding with the fire company, which, among other things, requires the city to provide a property tax credit to all active-duty volunteers who reside within city limits. As part of that discussion, city officials shared their desire to have a that same incentive applied to all city workers, not just those within the fire company.
With that said, at the council’s last work session, officials agreed to create an annual bonus for city employees who own a primary residence in Ocean City, as state law only allowed a tax credit for public safety employees. They also agreed to move forward with a property tax credit, up to $2,500, for active volunteer firefighters.
“For the current members that are active, the total [cost] right now would be slightly under $6,000,” City Manager Terry McGean told council members this week.