Commissioners hold public hearing on $113 million FY26 budget; property tax rate kept flat

Allegany County commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund budget, which the county presented at $113 million. County staff said the draft keeps the county's property tax rate flat after commissioners asked staff to remove a proposed two-cent increase.

County Administrator Jason Bennett told commissioners the property tax rollback reduced revenue by about $1.08 million, and the budget would rely on approximately $2.9 million of fund balance to preserve the $113 million spending plan. Bennett said the change was the only substantive revision requested since the preliminary budget presentation weeks earlier and that the budget would proceed to adoption at the next meeting unless commissioners direct further changes.

The hearing was offered for public comment; no members of the public asked questions during the hearing. Bennett and staff said the budget documents would be posted online for public review prior to formal adoption.

The budget presentation was preceded and followed by related agenda items, including a capital improvement program update and proposed modest water and sewer rate increases tied to operating costs and a 20% increase from the City of Cumberland for wholesale water. County staff said the proposed water and sewer increases were small and would be built into the FY26 budget if commissioners proceed with adoption.

Commissioners plan to consider final budget adoption at the next public meeting; staff said ordinarily there would be several weeks between a final presentation and adoption but acknowledged an expedited timeline in this cycle.

The hearing did not change the budget total of $113 million, but it confirmed the commissioners'direction to keep the property tax rate flat and to use fund balance to cover the adjustment.