1. Currently, the BPOL tax is assessed on gross business receipts without regard to whether a company makes a profit. Does this tax hurt the business environment in Caroline County (Question 3)?
Yes, I do believe the BPOL tax hurts the business environment in Caroline County. The business environment would appear much more attractive to potential businesses if the BPOL tax did not exist. Imagine if you will a business friendly Caroline County where this additional burden is not heaped on already strapped startups. I do not believe that the BPOL tax in and of itself causes businesses to fail, even those that do not make a profit, but it is clearly another burden that business owners, new and old alike, must shoulder. As I outlined in my opening remarks we must work together with the business community to make Caroline County an attractive place for business to locate and grow. Elimination of the BPOL tax would be one way to serve that purpose. Being a BPOL free county would shout out to potential businesses “Caroline is the location of choice”. We must however be cognizant of the roughly 1.2 million dollars of revenue the BPOL tax creates for our general fund and look for revenue sources to replace it, preferably growing tax receipts as a result of a vibrant economy. If elected I would propose we explore phasing out the BPOL tax as other revenue sources increase.
2. You may elaborate on either or both: Do you support the reduction or elimination of proffers for affordable/workforce housing (Question 6)? Do you support density bonuses for affordable/workforce housing (Question 7)?
I do not support the reduction or elimination of proffers for affordable/workforce housing. I would support density bonuses for affordable/workforce housing if convincing arguments could be made to insure that real people will ultimately benefit. As stated the question does not provide additional information that could prove useful in making a decision to this effect. While affordable and/or workforce housing is needed so to are the proffers to support these units. One important factor would be the definition of affordable/workforce housing that is used. As they say the devil is in the details and simply speaking a buzz word may not lead to a sheriff’s deputy or a school teacher ultimately purchasing one of these units. Going forward the concept of affordable/workforce housing becomes problematic given the disparity that exist as home prices rise and salaries climb at a slower rate. This makes it difficult for teachers, police officers and firefighters to qualify for loans. Another question would be what happens when a qualified buyer is not found for a unit so designated. These questions and others would have to be answered before informed decisions could be reached. Without special organizations to provide low cost loans and other incentives to this demographic affordable housing becomes a myth in rapidly growing areas.
3. Would you compensate property owners for any downzoning (Question 9)?
No, I would not be in favor of compensating property owners for downzoning. The transference of development rights is not needed in the foreseeable future since many opportunities currently exist for development within the scope of our comprehensive plan. Using our comprehensive plan as a guide I do not see any justification for the use of downzoning with or without compensation in Caroline County. While our comprehensive plan is not without flaws it represents a measured approach to growth and development as long as it is followed. The comprehensive plan must be put into action in order for its benefits to be realized.
4. Would you support a regional comprehensive plan (Question 10)?
Yes, I would support a regional comprehensive plan that is advisory in nature. Most regional comprehensive plans are advisory in nature. They seek to provide information to participating localities so that comparisons can be made in order to create an awareness of regional issues and prevent duplication of efforts. This information can then be used to compare the vision, objectives, policies, goals, and programs of the local comprehensive plans to the regional plans. This provides an opportunity for neighboring localities to develop synergistic approaches to common challenges.
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