Anne Arundel County executive proposes $2.41 billion FY26 budget with record school increase and $10 million federal-impact reserve

County Executive Stuart Pittman on Monday presented a $2.41 billion fiscal 2026 budget proposal to the Anne Arundel County Council that keeps overall taxes flat, lowers the county property tax rate slightly and directs new funding to schools, food security and public-safety staffing.

The proposal, which Pittman asked the seven-member council to review over the next six weeks, would allocate a record $52 million in new county support for Anne Arundel County Public Schools; fund a $1.5 million food-bank grant program; and set aside $10 million in a Federal Impact Reserve to be appropriated by the council only if federal actions reduce county revenues or services.

Pittman said the budget reflects the county’s priorities and a defensive posture against projected federal cuts. "This budget does not raise taxes," he said, adding that the county’s proposed income tax remains lower than other Central Maryland counties and that the countywide property tax rate would fall from 98.3¢ to 97.7¢ per $100 of assessed value. "The fiscal foundation of Anne Arundel County is strong," Pittman said.

Budget Officer Chris Trumbauer provided the administration’s line-by-line numbers and financial…