Calvert County adopts FY2026 budget after tied vote blocks extra COLA

Calvert County commissioners voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets on June 10, approving the resolutions that enact tax rates, fines and fees as presented.

The budget, described by county budget staff as a “balanced budget,” sets the FY2026 general fund operating total at $385,978,812. Beth Richmond, senior adviser for the Department of Finance and Budget, said during the presentation, “The FY 2026 general fund operating budget totaling $385,978,812 is a balanced budget.” Richmond and Acting Finance and Budget Director Linda Turner outlined that the budget reduces use of fund balance and interfund transfers while offsetting those reductions with revenue increases from property assessments, income taxes and 911 fees.

Staff said funding for education remains a priority at about 44% of the general fund operating budget. The packet presented to commissioners notes the county’s allocation for education operations at $163,000,000, a reduction from $164,700,000 in FY2025 calculated under the state maintenance‑of‑effort formula.

During the adoption motion, Commissioner Marcus Hart moved to increase the proposed 1% COLA for county employees to 2%, saying he was concerned about competitiveness for employees and the county falling behind other employers. “I want to change it from a 1% COLA to 2%,” Commissioner Hart said when presenting his motion.

Commissioners debated the late change. Supporters cited recruitment and retention pressures and referred to prior years’ catch‑up increases; opponents cautioned that the roughly $1 million recurring cost would rely on projected savings (pension and health insurance) and uncertain future revenues. Commissioner Ireland said he found introducing the change at the last minute “very unprofessional” and said he would abstain from the budget because of the timing.

The motion to raise the COLA to 2% resulted in a tie vote and thus failed. The board then moved to close the public record and approve the FY2026 operating and capital budgets and related resolutions; that motion passed and the FY2026 budget was enacted as presented.

What the budget includes: staff noted 20 new employees (18 for public safety, two for circuit court and the state's attorney), a 1% COLA in the adopted package, and one salary step increase. Richmond said the overall tax‑supported general fund budget is down 0.42% from the prior year; she also noted the operating budget had increased by $906,355 since the May 6 public hearing and that Attachment A in the staff memo outlined the changes.

The board’s action closes the FY2026 process subject to the effective dates listed in the resolutions. County staff identified potential recurring savings sources that could have funded an extra COLA — including pension savings and anticipated health insurance rebates — but commissioners noted those are projections and would create recurring obligations if used.

The board also recorded appreciation for finance staff’s work during a complicated budget cycle and thanked Mary Andes and others for their efforts.

Votes at a glance: the separate motion to increase the COLA from 1% to 2% ended in a tie and did not carry; the main motion to adopt the FY2026 operating and capital budgets passed as presented.