Caroline County administrator introduces fiscal 2026 budget, proposes 2¢ real estate tax increase and higher school transfer

Caroline County’s proposed fiscal 2026 general fund budget, introduced May 13, includes a 2¢ increase to the real estate tax rate and a higher local transfer for the school division, county officials said.

County staff described the introduced general fund budget as approximately $75.9 million and said the proposed real estate rate would move from the equalized rate of $0.50 to $0.52 per $100 of assessed value. The proposed tax-rate action was advertised earlier and the county’s budget schedule includes a public hearing May 27 and final adoption at the June 10 meeting after the required seven-day waiting period.

Nut graf: Why it matters

The budget proposal funds operating needs, school transfers and several new positions while limiting one-time draws on the county’s unrestricted fund balance. County officials said increases in employee benefits, retirement and health insurance are central drivers of the spending plan. The proposed real estate rate change is expected to generate roughly $1.1 million in…