Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2027 Staff Recommended Budget - March 24, 2026

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on the evening of March 24, 2026, to present and receive public comment on the Fiscal Year 2027 Staff Recommended Operating and Capital Budget. The proposed budget totals $411 million in general fund revenues, a 6.6% increase over the prior year, but with an adjusted recurring revenue growth of 2.5% after accounting for one-time and restricted funds. The budget emphasizes public safety, education, infrastructure, and financial stewardship, with a $12 million use of prior year fund balance for capital projects. The meeting included presentations from the county finance team, the Board of Education, and the Sheriff, followed by public testimony from nine in-person speakers and one online participant.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeffrey Lewis (Board of Library Trustees) requested full funding for four new library staff positions (two full-time, two part-time, costing under $300,000) to maintain service quality and prevent staff burnout, noting that Calvert County has fewer administrative staff than comparable Maryland counties.
• Scott Deakin (President, Calvert Library Foundation) urged the board to baseline the library's manpower needs, citing dramatic increases in library visits after the Twin Beaches branch opened, and to plan for future growth.
• Steve Krauss (Owings, MD) argued for athletic facility improvements, particularly turf fields, stating that over $5.4 million leaves the county annually for travel sports and that surrounding jurisdictions have invested in turf fields. He expressed frustration with the lack of support for student-athletes and coaches.
• Patrick Flattery questioned the 6.6% budget increase, calling for zero-based budgeting, a constant yield tax rate, and a focus on necessities over niceties given the county's large fund balance.
• Mike Schisler pointed out that Calvert County ranks second in wealth among Maryland counties and 18th in the U.S., and urged the board to adequately fund schools and libraries rather than asking them to do more with less. He also suggested supporting free meals for all students instead of turf fields.
• Margaret Dunkle (Port Republic, MD) spoke about the Harriet Elizabeth Brown Commemorative Park and Community Center, requesting that the budgeted planning money ($1 million) be moved from FY2028 to FY2027 and that the $10 million allocations in FY2029 and FY2030 be accelerated to start implementation sooner.
• Charles Judge (Calvert County resident for 43 years) spoke in support of the library system, highlighting its value for lifelong learning, community programs, and online resources.
• A bus driver (anonymous, employed by a contractor) opposed any reduction in daily hours for bus drivers, noting that losing an hour per day would mean a $6,500 annual loss per driver, and emphasized the safety and multi-role responsibilities of drivers.
• Joseph Cormier (online, speaking as an individual) questioned the timing of the Board of Education's budget presentation, argued for investing in behavioral health over turf fields, asked about water/sewer audits, criticized budget adjustments and vehicle purchases classified as CIP, and raised concerns about a tax agreement with Constellation Energy.

Discussion Items

• Budget Presentation (Finance & Budget): CFO Malena Brookshire and budget deputy Mary Andes presented the FY27 staff recommended budget. Key points: total general fund revenues of $411 million; property tax ($227M, 55%) and income tax (33%) as main sources; $12 million prior year fund balance used for capital projects; $35 million committed for stabilization; fund balance ratio of 37.2% (above Moody's AAA benchmark of 35%); debt service ratio at 4.9% (policy limit 9.5%). They highlighted the addition of seven new positions: six school resource officers (ensuring SRO in every county school), one public safety recruiter, one assistant state's attorney, and one office assistant for parks and recreation. The budget also includes new special revenue funds for EMS cost recovery and AMOS funding transparency. Education funding totals $163 million (approximately 40% of total budget), which is $3 million above the state's maintenance of effort requirement. The capital program is $86.2 million, with major investments in education ($21M), public works, and water/sewer infrastructure.
• Board of Education Presentation: Superintendent Dr. Newsom reported that the BOE's budget request is $6.7 million above the county's proposed allocation, primarily due to negotiated salary increases ($7.8 million total for all bargaining units) and contractual obligations. He noted that the school system is academically strong but faces challenges from the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, including teacher salary minimums and national board certification pay. The county's per-pupil contribution is $6,697, and total per-pupil spending (state and county) is about $14,700. Commissioners discussed the efficiency study (Public Works) that identified potential savings of over $50 million over five years, the status of Blueprint implementation, the need for a career center expansion (87 students turned away due to capacity), the end of a tutoring grant, and the bus driver contract negotiations. Commissioner Hart expressed strong support for funding turf fields at schools, viewing them as a functional investment, and asked the BOE to include that in their request for a vote.
• Sheriff's Presentation: Sheriff Cox thanked the board for supporting SROs and district stations. He requested fair and marketable compensation for deputies, noting they are the lowest paid in the tri-county area. He also highlighted the need for a new crime lab and property room (estimated $15-16 million based on St. Mary's County's project) and improved security at the current district station. He said the FOP collective bargaining is ongoing and will be finalized in early April.
• Commissioner Questions on Unresolved Items: Following the presentations, commissioners noted that several major items are not yet included in the staff recommended budget: the Board of Education's additional $6.7 million request, the outcome of FOP negotiations, potential cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) (the budget only includes step increases, not COLA), and a $3 million request from the health department. Commissioners also discussed the status of OPEB (other post-employment benefits) and the teacher retirement pension funding level, requesting a forecast of when the county's share will reach 100%.

Key Outcomes

• The board voted unanimously (all ayes) on a motion by Commissioner Cox to keep the record open for public comment through close of business on April 11, 2026, and to direct staff to review and provide direction for adjustments to the staff recommended budget ahead of the commissioner's recommended budget publication.
• The public hearing for the commissioner's budget was announced for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• Commissioners acknowledged that the budget is a fluid document and that several key decisions (BOE request, FOP negotiations, COLA, health department funding) remain to be made during the deliberation phase.