Carroll County presents draft FY2026 budget with $3.3 million revenue increase projected

Carroll County officials presented a draft fiscal 2026 budget that projects $83,232,613 in revenue, about $3,300,000 more than the current year, and detailed assumptions for expenses before the board is required to advertise a balanced budget in May and vote in June.

The draft presentation, delivered by Alicia Searcy, opened with revenue estimates and department-by-department requests. "We're gonna start with the revenue budget," Searcy said. Later she summarized the revenue projection: "So we're projecting a total of $83,232,613 in revenue, which is a $3,300,000 increase over last year." The presentation noted the county must present a balanced budget to the board in May and then run the required newspaper advertisements before a June vote.

Why it matters: The draft frames the county's tax and spending choices for the coming year and sets priorities for negotiating large cost drivers such as health insurance, property and casualty insurance and the county's solid-waste contract.

Key revenue notes - Property tax: Searcy said the digest is not finished; the draft shows only a small…