if it passes, the fee would go up by ten-dollars.
The Frederick County Council
Frederick, Md (KM) The fee for a marriage license could be going up in Frederick County. The Council voted on Tuesday to add the bill to the County’s 2023 Legislative Package which would boost the fee to $85.
The legislation was sponsored by Councilwoman Jessica Fitzwater. “Right now, there’s an additional fee of $65 that is added to the $10 required by the state that the proceeds go to fund domestic violence programs,” she said. “And this would that additional $65 to $75, and that means the fee would be $85.”
The additional revenue would go to Heartly House which provides shelter and other services to victims of domestic violence.
The vote was 6-0-1 with Councilman Phil Dacey absent.
Council President MC Keegan-Ayer said she had concerns about this increase because it would make Frederick County’s marriage license fee similar to Baltimore City. “In the last few weeks, I’ve been talking a lot with folks in the 3rd District and domestic violence is a huge program,” she said. “And it is even more so in certain communities in my distinct. So I am absolutely going to be supporting this.”
The legislation will be decided next year by the Maryland General Assembly.
In other action, the Council approved a resolution to formally extend the deadline to consider the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan by 20 days to October 31st.
A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th. A final vote by the Council is expected sometime in October.
By Kevin McManus