Washington County Holds FY26 Budget Hearing, Local Activist Removed Without Incident

Despite a bumpy start, the Washington County government held its annual fiscal year 2026 budget hearing on Tuesday evening, presenting a balanced $505 million spending plan and addressing financial pressures caused by reduced state funding and rising local expenditures. The proposed budget maintains the current real property tax rate at 92.88 cents per $100 of assessed value and an income tax rate of 2.95%, with no increases planned. Officials emphasized the county’s strong financial standing, highlighted by affirmed AA+ credit ratings from all three major rating agencies, despite facing challenges such as state-imposed cost shifts totaling tens of millions of dollars.

The evening started with commissioners clearing the room to remove local activist Shaun Porter, stating that he is prohibited from attending County Commissioner meetings for six months. Porter is currently fighting a legal battle against the county and Commissioner John Barr regarding the actions they have taken against him, including Barr personally suing Porter for $10 million. From the video, Porter did not appear to portray any disruptive conduct.

After clearing the room and everyone except Porter returning to their seats, the County Administrator Michelle Gordon and Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace led the presentation, outlining how departments analyzed and prioritized over 2,800 budget lines across 21 funds. The general fund alone totals $323.2 million, with 71% allocated to education and public safety. Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) represents the single largest expenditure at $122.8 million—an 11.5% increase from the previous year, driven in part by state mandates under Maryland’s education reform legislation, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

The proposed operating budget totals $394.2 million, while the capital budget accounts for $110.7 million. Major capital investments include new school construction, road improvements, airport upgrades, and expansions to landfill capacity. Enterprise funds such as water, sewer, and solid waste are proposed at $44.9 million, with modest user fee increases to maintain self-sufficiency. The county also plans to issue $22.3 million in bonds and apply for a federal SAFER grant to support hiring nine additional firefighters.

During the public comment period, residents expressed both appreciation and concern. Firefighter representatives thanked the commissioners for ongoing support of emergency services. Advocates for public education and aging services highlighted the importance of continued investment. Meanwhile, several speakers questioned the accuracy of financial projections, criticized bond debt levels, and voiced concern over the state’s long-term fiscal outlook. Despite disagreements, the public hearing concluded in an orderly manner, with commissioners reiterating their intent to continue responsible budgeting while managing limited resources.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from Washington County Government FY26 Budget Hearing presentation

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