Frederick County adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets real-estate rate at $0.48 per $100

The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted April 9 to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approve appropriations and set the 2025 real-estate tax rate at $0.48 per $100 of assessed value.

The resolution approved at the meeting incorporates an advertised reduction in the real-estate rate from 51 cents to 48 cents per $100 and accepts about $3.2 million in additional state revenue earmarked for the schools that was added after the published advertisement of the draft budget.

Why it matters: Board members spent months in work sessions on the budget and staff warned the board that the county is running recurring operational deficits and relying on capital fund transfers to close gaps. Supervisor Blaine Dunn argued the budget continues a pattern of using capital funds for ongoing operating costs and warned the approach is unsustainable. He said the county faces a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall and raised options such as impact fees, targeted sales taxes, or meals taxes as alternative revenue sources.

In advance of the final vote, Vice Chair (speaker identified as making the amendment) proposed an amendment to reduce new positions roughly in half—cutting planned additions for schools, firefighters, deputies and several constitutional officer staff positions—to lower operating growth and apply savings partly to the tax rate and partly to the county deficit. That amendment was discussed at length and ultimately failed on a roll‑call vote.

Board members defending the advertised budget said many of the proposed positions respond to public‑safety or constitutionally required needs and that across‑the‑board cuts would undermine services. Supporters pointed out the proposal still reduces the real‑estate rate from 51¢ to 48¢ and that the schools face mandated staffing and ongoing vacancies the board has considered during the budget process.

Budget details discussed in the meeting included: the advertised general fund and school fund totals; previously budgeted capital fund transfers that the board has used for operations in recent years; a $3,152,500 line for 40 additional school positions (the board debated reducing that increment to the equivalent of 20 positions); planned hires that include firefighters, sheriff deputies and several staff positions for constitutional officers; and an appropriation of roughly $48,000 returned taxes included in the consent agenda.

The board voted to approve the budget as presented. The final roll call recorded the following votes: Supervisor Leerro — aye; Supervisor Lockridge — aye; Vice Chair — aye; Supervisor Wells — aye; Supervisor Dunn — nay; Supervisor Jewell — aye; Chair — no. The motion passed.

The board chair noted that if problems arise during the fiscal year the board can consider supplementals and other adjustments. Staff were instructed to finalize the appropriation documents and update the resolution language to reflect the additional state revenue for schools.

Ending: The adopted budget and the set tax rate take effect for fiscal year 2025–26; staff will complete final paperwork and continue to brief the board on implementation and any supplemental needs during the year.