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Hagerstown adopts $222.99 million budget and keeps tax rate unchanged for FY26
Summary
The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on May 27 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget of $222,997,300 and set tax rates for real and business personal property, enabling city operations to continue without interruption.
Hagerstown Mayor and City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget on May 27, approving a $222,997,300 spending plan and tax rates that will take effect July 1, 2025. The council also set the real property tax rate at $1.057 per $100 of assessed value and the business personal property rate at $2.643 per $100.
The vote lets the city continue services and avoid a potential shutdown as the new fiscal year begins. Acting City Administrator (name not provided) opened remarks on the agenda by thanking staff and highlighting continuity of services following the council’s vote.
Councilmembers said the budget was the product of months of review and compromise. Councilwoman Burnett said the proposal “began months ago with extensive review and input from many individuals, including our city directors” and noted the council made “necessary adjustments” while preserving public amenities and staffing levels. Burnett also told residents the tax rate has not changed in six years.
The council preserved funding for community amenities named in the meeting — the pool, golf course, ice rink and the train museum — kept public safety funding intact and chose not to implement a hiring freeze or cut staff positions. The council also reduced funding for the Invest Hagerstown program; the exact reduction was not specified during the meeting.
The budget includes a mix of general fund sources and capital funds across departments. During the meeting the council approved a number of related financial items on the consent agenda, including FY25 transfers to finalize costs for the Hagerstown Fieldhouse (reallocating $168,300 in highway-user revenue and $247,040 from additional general fund revenue) and other grants and procurement authorizations.
The budget ordinance was moved and seconded on the record and the motion passed. With adoption, department spending authority and the tax rates become effective July 1, 2025, for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
