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Residents urge commissioners to restore or clarify nonprofit funding as budget lines draw scrutiny
Summary
During the Caroline County FY2026 budget hearing, nonprofit leaders and residents raised concerns about reduced or unclear funding for local nonprofits, including the Caroline County Humane Society and programs serving people experiencing homelessness and arts programming.
Caroline County nonprofit leaders told the Caroline County Commissioners at a May 6 public hearing that proposed budget lines and contingency accounting created confusion and, in some cases, threatened services.
Cathy Moore, executive director of the Caroline County Humane Society, said the shelter’s proposed county funding in the papers she brought to the hearing showed a substantial cut. "I was hoping for at least an increase of some sort. It looks like I actually got a decrease of, like, 23,000, which is gonna really hurt a lot," Moore said. Commissioners and staff reviewed the line item in the meeting and told Moore they would confirm whether a contingency match explained the apparent reduction and would follow up by email.
Other public commenters asked the commission to reconsider reductions for community organizations. Sabrina Barger Turner told the commission that Martin’s House and Barn and His Hope Ministries appeared in the draft as reduced to zero and urged the board to reconsider because those programs serve families facing housing instability.
George Karas, representing the Caroline County Council of Arts, thanked the commission for considering a $6,500 operational request and described county arts programming and events that rely on that support. Robert Chapo of Ridgely criticized what he described as public funding for hobbyist organizations and questioned economic development and tourism spending; commissioners responded that economic development staff are required to administer some state and federal pass-through funds.
Why it matters: Several small nonprofit grants and pass-through funds help local services for vulnerable residents, arts programs and animal welfare. Speakers said cuts or unclear budgeting could reduce local services while commissioners said staff will verify accounting and contingency allocations before finalizing decisions.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to review specific line items and promised direct follow-up with speakers about their organizations’ budget status prior to final budget action.
