The Carroll County Board of County Commissioners has unveiled a proposed $645 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027, a $64.8 million (11.2%) increase over the current fiscal year.
The plan was released on Tuesday, April 21. Residents will have their formal opportunity to weigh in at a public hearing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7 p.m., at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).
The proposed budget takes effect July 1.
What's Driving the Increase
According to the county, the 11.2% jump is driven by, but not limited to, one-time use of surplus funding for capital projects, the Board of Education budget allocation, the Eldersburg Library modernization/replacement, 12 new positions at the Department of Fire and EMS, and improvements at Krimgold Park, including parking, walking trails, and additional fields.
Significant additions called out in the commissioners' proposal include:
Liberty High School modernization/replacement — a total project cost of $148.7 million, with $19 million included in FY27
Eldersburg-area road improvements — $11.2 million, including work on Route 26 from Georgetown Boulevard to Homeland Drive
Park Field Restoration — $5 million for field improvements and upgrades
Volunteer Emergency Services Association — $700,000 in one-time FY27 funding, with an additional $500,000 in ongoing funding beginning FY28
State's Attorney's Office — $200,000 to fund a 2.5% salary increase
The reliance on one-time surplus funds reflects the county's strong reserve position heading into the new fiscal year. WFMD reported in March that Budget Director Ted Zaleski had told commissioners the county was on pace to end FY2026 with roughly a $79 million unassigned fund balance, and cautioned that surplus dollars should be treated as one-time funding rather than a baseline for future budgets.
How to Read the Proposal Yourself
The county plans to make the full budget available for public review by May 1, both online through the Bureau of Budget and in hard copy at every public library branch.
Community Meetings Before the Hearing
Budget Director Ted Zaleski is hosting a series of community meetings at local library branches to walk through the proposal: two have already taken place in Westminster and Eldersburg, with three remaining. Meetings run from 7 to 9 p.m.
Remaining community meetings:
Tuesday, April 28 — Taneytown Library
Wednesday, April 29 — North Carroll Library
Thursday, April 30 — Mount Airy Library
The Public Hearing on May 6
The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at the Carroll Arts Center (91 W. Main Street, Westminster), with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The hearing will be livestreamed on the county's YouTube channel, but residents must attend in person to participate. A recording will be made available afterward on the county website and on Comcast Channel 24.
Residents who can't attend can submit comments and questions via email to Zaleski at [email protected] or through the county's budget webpage.
What Comes After
Following the public hearing, commissioners may hold additional work sessions, tentatively scheduled for May 12 and May 19, to revise the proposal based on public input. Final adoption of the FY2027 budget is planned for Thursday, May 21.
Meetings are open to the public and will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 24 and streamed on the county website. Schedule updates are posted on the county's Division of Budget website.
Sources: Carroll County Government — UPDATED: FY2027 Proposed Budget Released for Public Comment; WFMD — Carroll County Begins FY2027 Budget Process With Surplus; Public Input Planned
Photo: from Carroll County Government press release