Washington County residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The session, hosted by the Office of Budget and Finance, will begin at 6:00 p.m. and be held at the Public Safety Training Center in Hagerstown. Citizens are encouraged to attend in person or submit written comments via email prior to the start of the meeting.
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The hearing will also be streamed live through the county’s official Facebook and YouTube channels, providing broader access for those unable to attend in person. The county’s FY26 budget includes a total increase of $70.9 million over the previous fiscal year, marking a 16.33% rise. This includes a $25.9 million increase in Operating Budgets and a $44.9 million boost to Capital Budgets. Public testimony is welcomed, and residents are urged to review the Citizens’ Guide to the Budget 2026 for more detailed information.
Operating Budget allocations under the General Fund, the county’s largest financial category, cover essential services such as education, public safety, and parks and recreation. This fund is primarily supported by property and income tax revenues. Meanwhile, several other county-managed operations, such as the airport, generate revenue through service charges and operate within those limits. However, departments like the Golf Course and Solid Waste require additional financial support due to expenditure levels that surpass earned revenue.
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The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, and the county encourages any residents needing special accommodations to contact the Office of the County Commissioners in advance. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2204 for further information. Individuals requiring special accommodations are requested to contact the Office of the County Commissioners at 240-313-2204 (V), 240-313-2077 (TDD), or dial 711 Maryland Relay to make arrangements no later than five working days before the hearing. The proposed budget hearing offers residents a chance to voice their priorities and shape how local funds are allocated in the year ahead.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Washington County Office of Budget and Finance press release.
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