Talbot County Council adopts FY26 budget after amendments adding school positions and pensions

Talbot County Council voted Tuesday to adopt Bill 15-85, the FY26 annual budget and appropriation ordinance, after approving an amendment that restores funds for Talbot County Public Schools and state-mandated pension liabilities.

The amendment approved by the council added $600,000 to the school appropriation for nine priority positions (two social workers, six instructional assistants for multilingual learners and special education students, and one special education teacher) and accounted for $440,098 in the county’s share of teachers’ pensions. The council approved the final budget as amended by roll call vote.

The amendment’s sponsor, Council member Haithan Lesher, described the package as “prudent” and a step toward meeting projected future school funding needs. “This would fulfill the school budget reduced request, plus the items that we’ve identified,” Lesher said during debate. Council members discussed trade-offs and the need to ensure funding reaches classroom positions.

Finance Director Martha Sparks and Assistant Finance Director Caitlin Foster Clark presented the budget and described the technical changes incorporated in the amendment, including a $1,030,700 decrease in FY26 capital outlays where purchases were completed in FY25, restoring prior requests for Upper Shore Aging and the public library, and adjustments for grant revenues that arrived late in the process.

One amendment introduced earlier in the meeting failed on a roll call 2–3; Lesher and one other council member supported it while three opposed. A subsequent amendment requested by Council President Callahan — which included the $600,000 for nine school positions and projected revenues tied to an education supplement — passed. During debate some council members said they supported the funding for teacher salaries and positions but sought stronger assurances that the dollars would be used for the specific classroom positions requested.

Council members thanked county finance staff for the budget process and described the finished FY26 budget as a balanced plan that preserves public safety investments while addressing some education and capital priorities. The council’s vote on the final legislation as amended was recorded and the measure was adopted.

Looking ahead, council members noted possible further pressures on school funding next year and described the amendment as a partial effort to smooth that future increase.