Howard County executive proposes $2.3 billion FY2026 budget, holds tax rates steady

County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball on Monday presented his proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget to the Howard County Council, asking the council to approve a $2.3 billion spending plan that he said avoids raising property or county income taxes.

Ball said the proposed FY2026 operating budget totals $2.3 billion and represents a 1.6% decrease from FY2025, with the general fund at $1.63 billion. He attributed the overall decline largely to a drop in one-time PAYGO resources while noting modest growth in income and property tax revenues.

The budget prioritizes K-12 education, public safety, health care, housing and nonprofit services. "This budget strives to meet community needs without raising property taxes or income taxes on Howard County residents," Ball said. He told the council the county increased recurring county funding to the Howard County Public School System by $39,300,000 above the state-required maintenance-of-effort level; combined with state and federal funds, Ball said the school system’s total budget will reach about $1.2 billion in FY2026 and the county’s direct investment will be $800 million.

Ball also said the county is committing $6,700,000 to ensure HCPSS pension liabilities remain fully funded and is proposing $1,500,000 in one-time PAYGO funding for school safety and security expenses pending approval by the Maryland State Department of Education. He summarized those items as a cumulative $45,700,000 in new revenue toward school system expenses in FY2026, which he said equals roughly 64% of new general fund revenue growth.

On public safety, Ball…