Show All Answers

1. Have my overall property tax rates been raised recently?

The combined (state, county, and city) property tax rate for a Bowie resident is $1.6800 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2020. This is down from the 2005 rate of $1.7063. While the Bowie property tax rate has been stable for the last ten years, residents may have seen their tax bills increase due to higher property assessments and the fact that Prince George’s County raised its property tax rate by $.04 in fiscal year 2020. Property assessments are developed by the State of Maryland and are based on market rates.

2. What is the City's financial year?

The City's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30th.

3. What is the City's budget calendar?

The budget process begins in December and the budget is adopted in May.

4. How does the City fund its budget?

Bowie gets its income from general property taxes, state shared revenue, licenses, permits, fees, fines, service charges, and funds from other agencies.

5. As a citizen, how can I make comments about the budget, or propose projects or services for the City to consider?

Correspond with the City Manager, and/or elected Councilmembers any time during the year.

Attend one of the public meetings (usually on Monday night) and make comments
to City Council during the Citizen Participation period.

6. What does Bowie spend my local tax money on?

Bowie uses its funds for general government expenses, economic development, public safety, social services, public works, parks, culture, and recreation.

7. What happens to the revenue from the speed camera tickets?

Sixty percent of the fees go to the City general fund and help offset the cost of the Police Department and forty percent is used for administration and maintenance of the cameras.

8. How do we cover the cost of capital improvements?

Bowie has two budgets: the operating budget and the capital budget. Both funds are covered by our regular sources of income and are allocated by City Council each year depending on the planned improvements. At times, we might issue a bond for a major capital expense.

9. I get my water through WSSC and am not on the Bowie Water System. Do my taxes subsidize the Bowie Water Plant and capital improvements for the water system?

No. The local water system covers only some of the neighborhoods in Bowie. All costs for the operation of the Water Plant and capital improvements are covered by the billings that go out to the users of the Bowie Water System.

The State of Maryland has increased the Bay Restoration Fee that appears on your water bill and these funds are sent to the State.

10. Does Bowie need to borrow funds to meet its regular financial obligations?

Bowie is on a "pay as you go" model, meaning that we do not spend funds that we do not have or were not budgeted. We have specific debt policies which guide our City Council. Bowie enjoys a AAA credit rating.

11. How do we pay for adding new municipal services or unexpected expenses?

Bowie maintains a reserve fund to provide a cushion in the event of unanticipated expenditures.
These reserve funds may be used to balance the budget when unexpected expenses are incurred, such as unplanned snow removal.

If necessary, the tax rate may be increased.

12. Does the City Council incorporate environmentally friendly policies in its annual budget?

Bowie continues to implement programs that reduce energy consumption or that enhance the environment.

13. As a taxpayer in Bowie, do I also have to pay for the Prince George's County Police Department?

In the past, Prince George's County provided police coverage for Bowie. When Bowie voted to start its own police force in 2005, this changed. Our contribution to the cost of Prince George's Police Department goes down each year as we increase the capability of our own force.

14. Who pays for the local Fire Department?

The City does not pay for the Fire Department. This function is handled by the County and paid with
County taxes. The City provides a contribution, usually over $100,000 a year, to the Volunteer Fire Department for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining equipment.

15. The City owns and operates the Ice Arena and City Gymnasium. Who covers the cost of these facilities?

Fees are charged to participants, but in order to keep the fees low, the City provides additional funding out of the general fund. The City provided the initial funds to build the Gymnasium. The City will be funding the construction of the new IcePlex, and the City pays for the maintenance of the Ice Arena and Gymnasium.