March 24th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Because both candidates are current Republican office holders having chosen to pursue the seat being vacated by State Senator George Edwards- the primary campaign pitting Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade against House of Delegate 1C representative Mike McKay is expected to be one of the more contentious. And there is early evidence that is the case. On social media, Delegate Mckay is questioning Shade’s “fiscal conservative” credentials, accusing him of  having plans to “sneak a tax hike” through as part of the upcoming budget. Shade tells WCBC News that McKay trying to portray Thursday’s constant yield tax rate hearing- advertised as a “notice of a tax increase” – as an effort to hike taxes is disappointing…

Under current law, local governments must advertise and hold public hearings on proposals to enact a tax rate that exceeds the constant yield rate – even if the actual rate remains unchanged. Shade noted that McKay is well aware of just how confusing this can be as he dealt with the issue himself during his tenure as county commissioner…

Because the statute requires the advertisement to include “Notice of Tax Increase,” constituents often do not understand that a county has simply adopted the same tax rate that had been in effect and that the notice is solely a function of a statutory requirement. The county will hold a public hearing on the constant yield as part of this evening’s commissioners meeting.