(5/2025) One of my most important tasks as County Executive is to prepare a balanced budget that delivers results, provides essential services, keeps the core functions of government on track, and reflects our community’s priorities. The FY-26 budget I proposed puts students first with record investments in public education and protects core services that you rely on. It achieves all of these goals without raising taxes.
We developed this year’s budget in a moment of profound uncertainty. Last November, state budget analysts warned of the largest budget gap in 20 years. While essential investments in school construction and U.S. 15 safety improvements were protected, the state shifted millions of dollars of costs to Frederick County. Federal funding freezes and layoffs added to our challenges.
We made hard decisions and cut our spending to protect investments in education. We did the most we could with what we have, without making commitments we may not be able to keep.
Prioritizing Education
Education is the single best investment we can make as a community. The proposed budget includes an investment of over $508 million to public education, marking a $118 million – or 30% – increase over three short years.
This investment includes funding for those who are essential to the health and safety of our children, including school nurses, physical and occupational therapists, resource officers, and crossing guards.
We are significantly increasing our investment in school construction because every child deserves to learn in a safe and modern environment. The budget includes $175 million for school construction this year. This represents an $80 million – or 86% – increase over last year.
This includes funding for the construction of Elementary School 41 to relieve overcrowding at Oakdale Elementary School and surrounding schools. Additionally, we are investing in predesign work to replace Brunswick High School, accelerating renovations at Twin Ridge and Hillcrest Elementary Schools, and keeping the new Middletown Elementary and Middle Schools on schedule.
Strategic Adjustments
Our commitment to our schools is approximately half of our operating and capital budgets. In anticipation of absorbing state budget cuts, and as part of our ongoing transition to outcome-based budgeting, we went line-by-line through the non-education side of the budget and scrutinized every dollar.
We identified millions of dollars of cuts to our base budget to realign our funding with our priorities. We also challenged our divisions to scrutinize and prioritize their funding requests, which allowed us to reduce budget appeals by $10 million. Even with these cuts, we will make progress on strategic priorities identified by our community-led Transition Team.
Investments in Core Services
County public service jobs should provide fair and livable wages. This is a matter of equity for employees and competitiveness as we work to keep pace with our peers. Through this budget, we will establish a new base pay of $21 per hour. We will also provide a 2% across-the-board salary increase for all employees. These adjustments will take effect on January 1, 2026.
In Frederick County, we are transforming the model of care by helping our most vulnerable elderly residents age in place. The proposed budget includes funding for expanded services at the Middletown 50+ Community Center and planning for new senior centers in other parts of the County.
Housing affordability is a real challenge across Maryland and especially in Frederick County. The budget includes funding to oversee real estate transactions and affordable housing development, primarily on County-owned land. We are currently accepting proposals for affordable housing solutions near the Prospect Center.
Maintaining public safety is critical to maintaining our quality of life. The budget includes funding for the Sheriff’s Office to lease dedicated training space for in-house classes and for the State’s Attorney’s Office to address growing caseloads.
Looking Ahead
This budget sets aside reserve funds, meets long-term pension obligations, and makes tactical investments to protect our AAA bond rating. It ensures our strong financial health and provides the programs and services our residents need to be healthy and safe.
I believe we are each called to do the most we can, where we are, with what we have – and our FY-26 budget does just that. In the most challenging fiscal environment in more than two decades, we remain steadfast in our commitment to public education and essential services – doing the absolute most we can under these circumstances.
I am pleased the proposed budget reflects community input and invests in our people. With this strategic and responsible approach, we can ensure Frederick County remains the best place to live in Maryland – a vibrant and unique community where everyone can live, work, and thrive while feeling a strong sense of place and belonging.
The County Council has until May 31 to adopt the proposed budget and FY-26 begins on July 1. To view the proposed FY-26 budget, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.
