Anne Arundel Finance Office proposes $13.6M budget for FY26 with strategic positions

The Anne Arundel County Council convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026, focusing on key financial allocations and departmental needs. The meeting featured presentations from the Office of Finance and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), highlighting significant budget requests and strategic initiatives.

Billy Penley, the County Controller, presented the Office of Finance's proposed budget of $13.6 million, which reflects an increase of $819,000 or 6.42% from the previous fiscal year. This rise is primarily due to new pay packages, the addition of two new positions, and increased postage costs. Notably, the budget includes a finance system analyst position to support an ongoing upgrade of the county's financial system and a grant manager role to enhance grant management across departments. Penley emphasized that savings from a renegotiated ambulance billing contract would help offset these increases.

The discussion also touched on the importance of the ambulance billing program, which has generated nearly $194 million since its inception in 2009. Penley assured council members that the finance team is committed to efficient service delivery and is prepared to address any constituent inquiries.

Following the finance presentation, Jack Martin from the Office of Information Technology outlined the department's budget priorities, which include enhancing public safety technology and improving cybersecurity measures. Martin noted that the OIT budget reflects the need for two new positions: a senior project manager to support public safety initiatives and a reclassification for a cybersecurity role. He highlighted ongoing projects, including the upgrade of the county's financial system and the implementation of new technologies to improve service delivery.

The council members raised questions regarding the status of vacant positions within the IT department and the impact of recent cybersecurity incidents on budget requests. Martin reassured the council that security remains a top priority and that the department is actively working on a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to enhancing financial management and technological capabilities while addressing the needs of its constituents. The proposed budget reflects a strategic approach to resource allocation, aiming to improve service delivery and operational efficiency across departments. The council will continue to review the budget proposals before final approval in the coming weeks.