(5/2025) Education Tops Priorities in Proposed FY26 Budget

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater unveiled her proposed FY-26 budget for Frederick County, emphasizing a record investment in public education and delivery of essential services without raising taxes.

"One of my most important tasks 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," County Executive Fitzwater said. "In a year with great uncertainty, this budget puts students first with record investments in public education and protects core services that our residents rely on. It achieves all of these goals without raising taxes."

Key Highlights of the Proposed FY26 Budget:

• Education: Over $508 million allocated to public education, marking a $118 million – or 30% – increase in three years.
• School Construction: $175 million dedicated to school construction, representing an $80 million – or 86% – increase over last year.
• Employee Compensation: New base rate of $21 per hour for County employees, and a 2% across-the-board salary increase for all employees beginning January 1, 2026.
• Senior Services: Expanded services at the Middletown 50+ Community Center and planning for new senior centers in other parts of the County.
• Affordable Housing: Funding to oversee affordable housing development, primarily on County-owned land.
• Public Safety: Funding for the Sheriff’s Office’s training space, and additional resources for the State’s Attorney’s Office to address a growing caseload.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Sets aside reserve funds, meets long-term pension obligations, and makes strategic investments to protect the County’s AAA bond rating.

The proposed FY26 budget can be viewed at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.

Public Invited to Provide Input on Housing Priorities in Frederick County

Members of the public are invited to provide input on housing priorities in Frederick County through an online survey. The survey will be open until May 16.

The 5-minute survey aims to collect feedback about housing challenges and opportunities across Frederick County. Community members can provide input on housing priorities, day-to-day challenges, and preferred housing types. Results of the survey will help guide housing initiatives, including how to best use new Community Development Block Grant funds – a key tool to improve housing, support local services, and strengthen communities.

To take the survey, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HousingStrategicPlan. Paper copies of the survey are also available in senior centers, libraries, and at the Frederick County Division of Housing located at 401 Sagner Avenue in Frederick.

Through the online survey the Division of Housing aims to gather a variety of perspectives and lived experiences to create a plan that addresses the needs of the community. For more information about the strategic planning process, please contact Ben Helkowski at bhelkowski@tpma-inc.com.

Office of Agriculture Unveils Strategic Plan to Support Industry

Frederick County’s rich agricultural heritage has been a cornerstone of the community for generations. To ensure this vital industry remains strong, the Office of Agriculture developed the strategic plan. The Plan for Building an Economy around the Agricultural Entrepreneur makes recommendations in five key areas: regulation, workforce development, infrastructure, the value chain, and marketing.

"Agriculture is an essential part of our economy, and this strategic plan gives us concrete steps to ensure farms and farmers can thrive in Frederick County for generations to come," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "We all rely on farmers for the food we eat each day. With this plan, we are taking another step to show farmers that they can rely on this community to support their work."

The Agriculture Strategic Plan examines industry trends and offers best practices. More than 100 people from Frederick County’s agricultural community gave input, expertise and insights to shape the report.

Taken together, the plan’s 28 recommendations outline ways to:

• Help farmers work together. Create ways for people to share ideas and help each other solve problems. For instance, a mentor program would allow experienced farmers to teach people new to the business.
• Preserve farmland. As the county grows, prime land is at risk of development. To protect fertile soil, preservation programs such as the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation should be enhanced.
• Teach people about farming. Offer special classes and events to help schoolchildren and adults learn about where their food comes from.
• Make farming easier. Provide the industry with the tools and workers they need. For example, the study recommends building a center where farmers can get help marketing their products and finding workers.

The Frederick County Office of Agriculture Strategic Plan can be found online here. Under the leadership of Director Katie Stevens, the Office’s mission is to preserve Frederick County’s farming heritage, assist farmers in their endeavors, and promote a thriving agricultural sector. Learn more at www.HomegrownFrederick.com.

Community Input Sought to Help Form a Climate and Energy Action Plan

People, businesses, and organizations are invited to provide input on climate change impacts and help set climate priorities for our community. Frederick County Government and the City of Frederick are working together to create the first Community-Wide Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). This plan seeks to address the challenges of the climate crisis in our region and includes an in-depth assessment of community needs.

"As the federal government reduces its climate efforts, it is more important than ever for local governments to take action and ensure our communities are prepared to meet environmental challenges. We appreciate the City of Frederick's partnership in this important work," said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. "Together, we are determined to meet our goals and are excited to hear from the public as we advance environmental initiatives."

The CEAP will assess how climate change could affect Frederick’s infrastructure, natural resources, community members, and health. It will also provide recommendations to address these impacts. Public engagement will complement scientific data supporting the plan.

"The CEAP is data driven, but also and more importantly it is people driven," says City of Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor. "It’s a collaborative effort on all fronts, between the City, County, and our community."

A primary goal of the CEAP outreach is to understand the public’s observations of problems such as extreme heat, droughts, severe storms, flooded roads, poor air quality, high-energy costs, and other climate-related issues. The aim is to incorporate a wide range of diverse perspectives and ideas so that the CEAP meets the needs of the community.

A series of Climate Workshops will share information and gather public input to help develop the plan. Dates and details for these events can be viewed at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ClimateAction. Members of the public are also encouraged to participate in the process online by taking the Community Climate Survey and exploring the newly available Flood Mapping Tool on the County's website.

This project is built on existing local sustainability initiatives and is intended to accelerate progress and create new climate action priorities. In 2020, a joint City and County Climate Emergency Resolution was adopted to cut greenhouse gas emissions to half of 2010 levels by 2030 and reduce levels 100% by 2050. A volunteer Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup was formed to guide the efforts. This group invested more than 18,500 hours to produce the Climate Response and Resilience Report, which includes recommendations to help the County and City meet their climate and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Public Encouraged to Provide Feedback on County Communications

Members of the public are invited to take an online survey to share their thoughts on how Frederick County Government communicates with them. This survey will help improve the County’s communication and outreach strategies.

"We want to strengthen our connections to the community by making sure the information we provide is clear and accessible to everyone," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "Your feedback will help us to improve our communication efforts to increase transparency and better serve the people of Frederick County."

The survey aims to find out how well the County communicates, how clear and easy to understand the information is, and how people prefer to receive information. The results of the survey will help shape future communication strategies to meet the community's needs.

To provide input please visit: www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/CommunicationsSurvey

County Sustainability Commission Seeks Nominations for 2025 Sustainability Awards

Do you know a local environmental champion? The Frederick County Sustainability Commission (FCSC) is now accepting applications for its annual Sustainability Awards, celebrating individuals, students, businesses, and organizations that go above and beyond in their commitment to a greener future. The nomination period is open through June 30.

Each year, the Sustainability Awards honor those who make a difference for the environment and their community. The award recognizes actions such as energy efficiency initiatives, improving air and water quality, promoting renewable energy, conserving resources, enhancing natural habitats, or finding innovative ways to help Frederick County "go green."

"The Sustainability Awards shine a light on the incredible work happening across our community," said Tiara Lester, Project Manager for the County’s Division of Energy and Environment. "We want to recognize the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are helping Frederick County become a healthier, more resilient place to live and work."

Award winners will be selected by the Frederick County Sustainability Commission, a volunteer group that provides guidance to local government on sustainability issues and advocates for environmentally responsible policies and practices. Winners will be announced in fall and honored at a special recognition event.

If you or someone you know is making a difference for our environment, submit an application today! Information on the program, including past award winners and an online application, are available at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SustainabilityAwards. Questions may be emailed to Sustainability@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

To learn about other sustainability, watershed protection, climate mitigation, environmental justice initiatives in Frederick County, visit the Division of Energy and Environment website at www.frederickcountymd.gov

County Division of Aging and Independence Partners with Dance Company for Creative Movement Workshop

The Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence is partnering with ClancyWorks Dance Company to offer a new and exciting workshop: The Creative Movement Workshop. This engaging workshop is designed to enhance well-being through breathing, singing, and dancing exercises. Classes will also discuss themes and allow participants to socialize and commune.

"ClancyWorks Dance Company has offered this creative opportunity to numerous older adult groups throughout central Maryland," said Home and Community Connections Director Kitty Devilbiss. "We are very excited to bring this acclaimed program to Frederick County and provide space to explore music and creative movement in a safe and welcoming community."

ClancyWorks Dance Company was founded by Artistic Director Adrienne Clancy in 2001. ClancyWorks’ mission is to help enhance the quality of life for people, using the arts to develop mutual understanding and to advance positive social action through four program areas: performance, arts in education, community engagement, and professional development.

Workshop Details:

The Creative Movement Workshop, led by ClancyWorks Dance Company, will be held every Wednesday form 1 to 2 until June 11, at the Emmitsburg 50+ Community Center\ 300 S Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. For more information, call 301-600-6350.

Classes will include a variety of activities such as breathing exercises, singing, and dancing.

Inclusivity and Accessibility: ClancyWorks Dance Studio’s teaching artists are highly trained to work with diverse populations and abilities, including those with mobility and memory issues. This ensures that all participants can fully enjoy and benefit from the workshop.

Free of Charge: Thanks to a generous grant from the Maryland Arts Council, the Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence is pleased to offer these workshops at no cost to participants. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to move, create, and connect. Join us for the Creative Movement Workshop and experience the joy of dance and community. For more information, please contact the Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence at 301-600-1234 or via email.

Anyone that needs auxiliary aids and services for effective communication or a reasonable modification in programs, services or activities, please contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at ada@frederickcountymd.gov, or by calling 301-600-1100.

County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Launches Life-Saving Whole Blood Program

The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services (FCDFRS) has proudly launched its groundbreaking Whole Blood Program. This program ensures the availability of blood products directly at the scene of emergencies. Equipped with state-of-the-art warming and transfusion technology, FCDFRS’s highly trained paramedics can administer life-saving care within minutes to critically ill or injured patients.

"The launch of our Whole Blood Program marks a major milestone in our mission to provide the highest level of emergency medical care to the people of Frederick County," said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. "By joining regional leaders in this program, we are ensuring that our community benefits from the most advanced care available before reaching the hospital."

In partnership with Inova Blood Donor Services (IBDS) in Sterling, VA, the Whole Blood Program places FCDFRS among the elite 1% of EMS agencies nationwide utilizing prehospital blood transfusion capabilities, a program already demonstrating its lifesaving potential in neighboring jurisdictions such as Washington D.C. Fire and EMS, Loudoun County, VA, Montgomery and Howard Counties in Maryland, and the Maryland State Police Aviation.

"Whole blood transfusions give our paramedics the tools to stabilize patients faster, reduce complications, and provide comprehensive resuscitation when seconds count," said Fire Chief Tom Coe. "This is a game-changer for prehospital emergency medicine in Frederick County, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication and coordination that made this possible."

FCDFRS is already in the planning stages for their first blood drive to help support this initiative and will have more details in the very near future.