Cumberland County introduces balanced 2025 budget, schedules public hearing June 24

Christopher Hartman, Cumberland County chief financial officer, presented the county's proposed 2025 budget Tuesday night, calling it a "fiscally sound" plan that includes $1,000,000 in pay-as-you-go capital, funding for 34 new positions and a reduction in the county tax rate.

Hartman said the budget is balanced, focuses on long-term planning and removes one-time options previously used to close gaps. He told commissioners the budget funds 10 public-safety positions, six judicial positions and four positions in the Department of Public Works (DPW). Hartman also said the county will continue to reduce reliance on surplus and highlighted a funding change he attributed to lost federal ARP support: "we lost $5,000,000 over the course of the last 2 years in federal revenue from the ARP funding. So that totals $10,000,000," he said.

Hartman summarized department activity for the year: DPW reported more than 4,240 maintenance requests, engineering oversaw about $17.8 million in construction and resurfaced over 35 miles of roadway, the motor pool maintains over 400 pieces of equipment, the office on aging provided roughly 11,000 congregate meals and 14,623 home-delivered meals, and the library served 40,693 patrons in 2024. He said the budget also aims to reduce overtime use countywide and to preserve a robust fund balance.

The proposed budget reduces the county tax rate from 89' to 84' (a 5' decrease) and Hartman estimated an average home would see about a $66 reduction. He emphasized the budget includes funding for debt service, pension and health benefits.

Following the presentation the board introduced Ordinance 2025-3, described as approving a Cap Bank for the 2025 county budget, and approved a resolution introducing and approving the calendar-year 2025 county budget and providing notice of a public hearing. The public hearing and final vote on the budget were scheduled for June 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cumberland County Administration Building.

Commissioners voted to introduce the ordinance on first reading and to approve the budget resolution for public hearing after motions and roll-call affirmations. The board also directed that copies of the proposed ordinance and budget be made available to the public at the clerk's office before the hearing.

Hartman thanked county management and staff for their work on the budget and urged residents to review the published budget documents prior to the June 24 public hearing.