UPDATED: Hagerstown Council to Review Major Budget, Safety, and Housing Initiatives in Upcoming Meetings

Hagerstown’s Mayor and City Council will convene in the coming weeks for a pair of sessions expected to shape the city’s near-term budget priorities, public safety programs, and housing development strategy. Scheduled meetings on May 20 and May 27 will focus on the fiscal year 2026 budget, roadway safety planning, and updates to housing and economic development initiatives.

UPDATE: The Regular Session meeting of the Mayor & Council on Tuesday, May 27 will now begin at 3pm that day instead of the originally scheduled time of 7pm.

Other than the time change, everything on the agenda remains the same, including items, actions, and the usual opportunities for citizens to comment. However, due to the earlier start time, all emailed citizen comments must be received no later than 1pm on Tuesday in order to be read and summarized by the City Clerk during the meeting and subsequently entered into the meeting’s minutes in their entirety.

The May 20 work session includes a comprehensive review of the FY 2026 budget proposal. This review will assess various fee changes, including increases for commercial recycling, police special assignment rates, and employee water department rentals. Projections for utility funds such as electric, water, wastewater, and parking will also be examined. Later that evening, the council will hold a special session to introduce ordinances formalizing the proposed budget and property tax rates, set to begin July 1, 2025.

Another highlight of the May 20 session is the presentation of the final report for the “Safe Streets for All” Safety Action Plan. This document outlines a long-term vision to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries in Hagerstown by 2050. The plan, developed through local and regional collaboration, aligns with federal safety standards and enables the city to seek additional infrastructure and transportation grants.

On May 27, the council’s regular session will feature multiple action items for approval, including the FY 2026 budget and tax ordinances introduced on May 20th. The meeting will also review new business items such as an ordinance on outdoor lodging and a resolution to support the city’s participation in the Main Street Improvement Program. Additional resolutions are expected for lease agreements, public safety enhancements, and grant applications supporting police operations and neighborhood repair initiatives.

Significant contract approvals for public works, utilities, and law enforcement equipment will also be addressed. This includes substantial allocations for vegetation management, substation maintenance, and wastewater infrastructure improvements, totaling millions in planned expenditures.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas for May 20 and May 27, 2025.

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