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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25.02.05 - Minutes, Veteran's Advisory CommitteeWashington County Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes Date: Wednesday, 05 February 2025 @ 18:30 Location: Washington County Office 1St Floor Conference Room, 35 West Washington Street, Hagerstown MD Attendance Present -Stephanie Pulver -Breeden (Chair), Niki Falzone (Vice Chair), Jim Sword (Secretary), Robert Breeding, Jamaal Brown, Aaron Palmer, Robert Summers Not Present- Derek Harvey (County Commissioner), Starlene Hamilton, Darrell Nelson Business Meeting Committee Chair Stephanie Pulver -Breeden called the meeting order at 18:35. A quorum was established and the previous meeting's minutes and the agenda were unanimously approved after a motion by Robert Summers and a second by Robert Breeding. Presentation Ms. Christy Butler is the Western Region Public Engagement Officer for the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland provided a presentation to the Veterans Advisory Committee. Christy is also the Veteran Liaison for the Western Region (Carroll, Frederick, Washington Alleghany and Garrett counties) of the Comptroller's Office, a member of the Veterans Caucus in Annapolis and a military veteran herself. The new Comptroller for the State of Maryland, Ms. Brooke Lierman, has been modernizing the Office, including updating software, creating a Legal Division for Appeals, Public Policy Teams and launching the Office of Tax Payer Advocate. The 2025 Tax Season opened on 27 January and closes on 15 April 2025. Christy highlighted several tax services and initiatives for this year including: 1. Free State Income Tax Preparation/Assistance The individual must have: A. Federal Income Tax Form Completed B. ALL supporting documents (ie. 10-99s) C. Photo Identification This service is located at the Crystal Building Suite 201 on the Dual Highway, Hagerstown and is open with or without an appointment Monday through Friday from 08:30 to 16:30. 2. Direct File which allows eligible Tax Payers to have their Maryland State Taxes filed electronically and completely free of charge. To be eligible, the individual must: A. Earned less than $79,000.00 Adjust Gross Income (Married Filing Separately) B. Be a Full Time Maryland resident *this is an extension of a Federal IRS program and the individual would go to directfile.irs.gov to check eligibility 3. New Maryland Tax Credits including: A. Earned Income Tax Credit for low to moderate income families B. Senior Tax Credit for Tax Payers 65 and older C. Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit D. Independent Living Tax Credit E. Qualified Retirement/ Pension Exemption with up to $39,500.00 (100% if totally Disabled) 4. Military Retirement Credit A. $12,500.00 for military retirees 54 and under and B. $20,000.00 for military retirees 55 and older Aside from processing State Taxes, the Office of the Comptroller also processes Unclaimed Property for the State of Maryland. A Veteran owned small business may be eligible for the Veteran Owned Small Business Enterprise Program through the Comptroller's Office and State Procurement. Old Business National Flag Display Proposal The National Flag Display was tabled indefinitely at this time. Veterans Advisory Committee/Veteran Service Organization Assignments Stephanie Pulver -Breeden announced the VAC/VSO assignments for each Committee member. Updated Veterans Advisory Committee Flyer Stephanie Pulver -Breeden the Veterans Advisory Committee flyer/website will be sent out for bids with the Committees recommendations. Veterans Advisory Committee Vacancy Jim Sword will draft and send the motion previously passed to announce and reopen the application process the County Clerk for action before the next meeting on 05 March 2025. 2025 VAC Meeting Locations The 2025 VAC meeting schedule and locations are still being finalized and confirmed. The tentative schedule is: March- Star Equestrian April- Washington County Treasurer's Office May- Williamsport June- Redman July- No meeting August- Boonsboro September- Hagerstown October- Clear Spring November- Hancock December- No meeting Public Forum and Comments There were no public comments. New Business No new business was brought before the Committee. Announcements/Upcoming Events Boots to Suits Recurring every second Tuesday Washington County Chamber of Commerce 1 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD Community Care Network Recurring every second Tuesday Washington County Department of Social Services 122 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD NEXT VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, 05 MARCH 2025 AT 18:30 AT THE STAR EQUESTRIAN LOCATED AT 13674 GREENCASTLE PIKE, HAGERSTOWN. Adjournment A motion was made by Robert Breeding and seconded by Aaron Palmer to adjourn the meeting at 19:47.