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Worcester County adopts FY2026 budget with 3-cent property tax cut after contentious debate
Summary
The Worcester County Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2026 county budget and approved the Board of Education funding after hours of debate, voting to reduce property tax by 3 cents and to add $151,123 for an after-school program; votes were split and several commissioners voiced strong objections.
Worcester County Commissioners on June 3 adopted the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget and approved separate Board of Education funding after an extended, at-times heated discussion that split the board.
County budget officer Kimberly Reynolds presented final revenue and expenditure figures and changes from the May 28 work session, saying revenue estimates remain at $283,840,947 and that expenditures reflect adjustments including a $2,500 cost-of-living adjustment and a one-step pay increase for eligible employees.
The adoption matter produced several competing motions. Commissioner Matrassik moved to adopt the county budget presented on May 26 with one change: because the requested state income tax adjustment was not available, the county would implement a 3¢ property tax decrease. That motion was seconded and carried by a 4–3 margin.
The board separately voted on the Board of Education allocation that had been developed at the May 28 work session and approved adding $151,123 to support an after-school program. Commissioner Bunting moved to adopt the Board of Education numbers with that addition; Commissioner Bettino seconded, and the motion passed 4–3.
The meeting included sustained debate over the budget’s balance between tax relief and employee pay. Several commissioners urged fully funding the originally proposed personnel increases, arguing county and school employees are falling behind inflation and regional pay. Other commissioners defended the adopted package as broadly balanced and noted a $2,500 flat COLA favors lower-paid employees proportionally. Commissioners cited legal constraints on income tax rates and the state-mandated increases to teacher starting pay as complicating factors.
Kimberly Reynolds described specific expenditure changes: personnel benefits increase of $751,020; Board of Education increase of $728,444; grants to towns increased by $250,000; a reserve adjustment of $145,734; and a water/wastewater grant increase of $126,843. She also said the county discovered it is already at the minimum county income tax allowed by state law, so the requested income tax reduction could not be implemented.
Commissioners also discussed the county’s contributions to OPEB (other post-employment benefits) and the trade-offs of reducing tax rates now versus future budget pressures tied to mandated state teacher salary increases.
The board recorded multiple public and inter-commissioner criticisms about private meetings with the teachers association and the tone of the budget debate. Several commissioners called for better internal communication and for future approaches that avoid private side deals.
The board completed multiple related motions and recorded votes during the session; details are listed in the actions section below.
The commissioners closed discussion after votes and moved to the next agenda items.
