(8/2023) Summer is flying by! August brings the last few carnivals of the season, camps for children, and the start of a new school year. This summer, for the first time, the county’s Parks & Recreation division hosted a series of programs especially for children with disabilities at the adaptive Rock Creek Recreation Center in Walkersville. Students of all ages packed the rec center last month for a special play day as we celebrated National Disability Pride Month. Frederick County’s adaptive rec program is a truly amazing resource. The center gives every child a chance to play!
Homegrown Frederick Turns 10
This summer we also celebrated the 10th anniversary of our Homegrown Frederick program, which supports our agricultural community. Homegrown Frederick serves farmers and residents by promoting local agriculture and business online at www.HomegrownFrederick.com and in a special printed publication. You can buy local produce or craft beverages, find a farmers market near you, or line up family-friendly activities like creamery visits or pick-your-own berries or flowers.
This year’s Homegrown publication includes articles that provide a look back on producer stories from the past 10 years, with updates on where they are today. You can read about the discovery of the Monocacy Hop, which is genetically unique to Frederick County. The issue also includes a glimpse into the county’s largest agricultural classroom at The Great Frederick Fair and a feature about the County’s award-winning Agricultural Innovation Grant program.
Agriculture is an important part of Frederick County’s economy. Farming has changed substantially over the years. But our laws and regulations have not. They need to be updated so we have a firm foundation to support innovation in the years to come. My Administration’s Transition Team called for the County to support Frederick County’s diversifying agricultural economy. That is why I appointed an Agritourism Workgroup, which is reviewing our laws, regulations, and existing programs to support agritourism. The Agritourism Workgroup held its first meeting on July 26th. You can follow their progress online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Agritourism.
We need to modernize our system so our farms, and our farmers, can continue to thrive. The goal is to promote agritourism while also protecting the health, safety, and quality of life of Frederick County residents.
Rural Historic Preservation Grants
Another program we are using to preserve Frederick County’s rich heritage is our Rural Historic Preservation Grants. In the third year of this program, the County awarded grants to preserve important structures that reflect our past. For instance, funds will help to restore iron workers’ housing in Thurmont, a historic farmstead in Woodsboro, and one of the county’s oldest known houses, located south of Walkersville. Half of the grants this year went to properties located within the Catoctin and Walkersville high school feeder districts. They include the 18th-century Beatty Cramer House in Ceresville, two iron worker housing sites – Beverly Hoke and Reed Stitely houses on Catoctin Furnace Road – and the Steiner Wolfe Smith Farm’s bank barn in Woodsboro. The other sites are on Clemsonville Road, Linganore Road, Albaugh Road, and Stottlemyer Road.
The Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program offers one-time grants of up to $50,000 to property owners and nonprofit organizations to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore or preserve the exterior of a historic property. When I was a member of the County Council, I proudly supported legislation that dedicates funds to this program. By preserving these buildings, we can connect new generations to our community’s rich history. You can learn more about the program by visiting www.frederickcountymd.gov/ruralgrants.
Property Taxes
You may have noticed that property tax bills arrived in mailboxes a few days later than usual last month. Changes in the State Department of Taxation and Assessments led to Frederick County’s data arriving later than in past years. As a result, the Treasury Department has extended the deadline to receive a 1% discount, which is typically offered when bills are paid in full in July. This year, taxpayers who pay their real property tax bill no later than Monday, August 7, will receive the July discount of 1%.
There are three ways to pay: in person, online, or by mail. If you choose to pay in person, you will have until 4 p.m. on August 7th to deliver your check. Online payments can be made at the discounted rate until 11:59 p.m. that day. Checks sent by mail must be postmarked no later than August 7th to receive the discount. If you have any questions about your property tax bill, our great Treasury staff can help you. You can reach them at 301-600-1111.
With only a few short weeks left of summer, I hope everyone takes time to enjoy the season. Stop by a farmers market, hike a trail, or relax at one of our fabulous parks. Frederick County offers something for everyone!
