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I voted against the fiscal 2010, which started Wednesday, and I thought readers of The Gazette might want to know more about this.

In the fiscal 2009 budget process, I asked my fellow commissioners informally to consider tax relief. They declined.

For fiscal 2010, I determined to make formal motions for tax relief. At the May 28 meeting, my proposal was to lower the property tax rate by 2 cents, from $1.048 to $1.028 per $100 of taxable value.

Because of assessment inflation that has occurred over the last several years, the county has realized considerable growth from property taxes. The rate of growth has far outpaced the income growth that residents have received in their paychecks.

The 2-cent reduction translates to a $3.8 million reduction in revenue for the county. My proposal would have deducted that amount from funding to agricultural preservation. This program enjoys my support, but I am convinced that it could absorb the reduction.

Agriculture preservation funding was scheduled to jump from around $7 million in fiscal 2009 to more than $15 million in fiscal 2010.

Some have expressed criticism that the amount of relief to any single homeowner was insignificant. My response is if the county can maintain a goal of gradually improving services, why can't we gradually offer tax relief?

In 2006, I emphasized my goal of tax relief. I remain committed to this goal into the future.

Michael D. Zimmer, Eldersburg

The writer is a member of the Carroll Board of County Commissioners.