Garrett County Government is pleased to present the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating & Capital Budget. The final adoption of the budget is scheduled to take place on June 2, 2025.
This comprehensive budget outlines the financial plans and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 reflects a total revenue of $116,834,733, distributed across various revenue streams. The "Big 12" categories breakdown includes:
- Real Property Tax: $67,400,733
- Income Tax: $18,500,000
- Accommodation Tax: $4,000,000
- Public Utilities Tax: $3,596,419
- Personal Property (Windmills) Tax: $3,313,215
- Disparity Grant: $2,250,608
- Recordation Tax: $2,500,000
- Transfer Tax: $2,500,000
- Forestry & Parks: $1,749,524
- Investment Income: $2,000,000
- Highway User Revenue: $2,027,426
- Admission & Amusement Tax: $1,000,000
The expenses for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget are also projected to be $116,834,733. The allocation of expenses encompasses various departments and sectors, including General Government, Public Safety, Public Works, Community Health, Education, Parks, Recreation Culture, Public Service, Economic Development, Economic Opportunity, Miscellaneous, and Capital Expenditures.
- General Government: $8,614,354
- Public Safety: $16,981,567
- Public Works: $20,610,668
- Community Health: $2,512,765
- Education: $42,622,349
- BOE: $34,645,565
- Garrett College: $5,866,002
- Ruth Enlow Library: $1,355,782
- Scholarship Program: $738,000
- Parks, Recreation, Culture: $81,580
- Public Service: $320,269
- Economic Development: $3,994,543
- Economic Opportunity: $2,371,745
- Miscellaneous: $5,606,893
- Capital: $13,118,000
“Education is really driving all of our county decisions and projections,” Director of Finance Scott Weeks said. “The general public should take the time to understand the implications of the Maryland Blueprint forecasts. From a financial planning standpoint, that is our number one challenge.”
Key highlights of the proposed budget include:
- Cut approximately $1.6 million from the requests.
- Proposing a $103.7 million Operating and a $13.1 million Capital Budget for a total Operating & Capital Budget of $116.8 million.
- Funded the operations of outside agencies an additional $4.3 million.
- Combined operating and capital funding for these outside agencies totaled over $52.7 million or 45% of the total Operating and Capital Budget.
- Blueprint funding increased Garrett County’s Local Share mandate by $4.04 million.
- State passed off $218,799 of teacher pension costs to the County.
- Funding $2.9 million for year three of our four-year $14.4 million commitment for the Southern Grade Band Project.
- Biggest Future Challenge is Education funding: Projecting a $15.5 million increase in Blueprint funding for Public Schools over the next 9 years. Over next 3 years alone we are projecting a $6.7 million increase in operation funding.
- Continued investment in broadband expansion - $500,000
- No Reserves were used to balance this budget.
- No new General Fund debt.
- Maintaining a minimum 10% rainy day fund.
- No Income Tax rate increase; rate will remain at 2.65% making Garrett County the 3rd lowest in the State.
- No increases to the Water & Sewer Ad Valorem Tax Rates and a reduction in 4 of the 12 Sanitary Districts.
- Real Property Tax rate decrease: Rate will drop from $1.056 to $1.02.
“This budget reflects disciplined planning and controlled spending," said Board of Garrett County Commissioners Chairman Paul Edwards. “Our decision to maintain tax levels in previous years has allowed us to prepare for growing needs in areas such as education and public safety. Thanks to the diligent work of our finance team, we are now able to recommend the first property tax rate reduction in more than ten years while maintaining a strong financial position.”
A budget presentation was held, which can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/FY26-Budget starting at 11:54.
Public comments regarding the proposed budget will be accepted and considered until June 2, 2025. Interested individuals can submit their comments via email to comments@garrettcountymd.gov.
The Garrett County Government remains committed to responsible financial management and efficient allocation of resources to meet the needs of our community.
