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Carroll County proposes $802.8 million FY26 budget; details water, sewer and solid-waste rate changes
Summary
County budget director Ted Zaleski presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget totals and a timetable for adoption, and described proposed water and sewer rate tiers and a slate of solid-waste and recycling fees at the public hearing.
Ted Zaleski, Carroll County director of management and budget, summarized the county's proposed fiscal 2026 budget and presented proposed changes to utility and solid-waste rates at a public hearing on the FY26 proposed budget.
Zaleski said the general fund (operating budget) is proposed at $580,983,760 and the capital fund at $128,310,901. He listed other fund totals that together produce an all-funds total of $802,817,052. Zaleski asked the public to submit comments via the county website and noted the commissioners planned two budget work sessions followed by adoption; county staff stated commissioners are scheduled to adopt the budget on May 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Zaleski described proposed water and sewer rate changes "pursuant to chapter 51-01c of the Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances of Carroll County." He gave the county's proposed water rates as: base charge $14.38; usage 0–10,000 gallons $11.03 per thousand gallons; 10,001–30,000 gallons $11.36; and over 30,000 gallons $11.82. He described proposed sewer charges as a quarterly base charge of $20.40 and usage tiers of $13.24 (0–10,000 gallons), $14.17 (10,001–30,000 gallons) and $15.54 (over 30,000 gallons).
Zaleski also recited proposed solid-waste and recycling fees: municipal solid waste $70 per ton; construction and demolition debris $85 per ton; sewage sludge $90 per ton; residential automobile flat rate $8 per load and minimum disposal fee $8; recycling fee $55 per ton; commercial scrap tires $175 per ton; scrap tires off the rim $3 each and on the rim $4 each; yard trim commercial $40 per ton; and bulky waste $75 per ton.
Zaleski explained the hearing covers the operating and capital budgets, six enterprise funds (including water and sewer, solid waste, septic, firearms facility, airport and fiber network), pension trust funds, grant and special revenue funds, an other post‑employment benefit fund, and a length-of-service awards program fund. He invited members of the public to sign up to speak and told attendees each speaker would have three minutes.
No formal votes were taken at the hearing; Zaleski said the commissioners will review public comment and hold work sessions before adopting the budget.
