Worcester County commissioners approve amended 2026 budget increases for schools, staff and municipal grants

Worcester County commissioners on May 28 amended the county's working 2026 budget to include increased funding for the Board of Education and county staff, one-time grants to towns and a directive for the sheriff's office to report quarterly on overtime usage.

The Board of Education's representative asked the commissioners to fully fund the negotiated package that would provide a 4% increase for certified/professional staff and a $2,000 increase for support staff and to continue work toward a $60,000 starting teacher salary by 2027. County staff had presented updated revenue and expenditure figures, including revenues of $286,812,695 and an estimated FY25 surplus of approximately $14 million. Commissioners debated how much of that surplus and the budget stabilization fund to commit to raises, grants and long-term liabilities.

In debate, supporters said the county can afford the increases because conservative budgeting and recent surpluses leave room to absorb a projected $427,000 shortfall tied to the full funding scenario. They argued raises and municipal grants—cited needs include Ocean City's loss of a summer cadet program—would support public safety and service continuity. Dissenting commissioners warned that holding larger reserves is prudent given uncertain state funding actions and potential future obligations.

Commissioner Abbott moved an amendment that would preserve much of the previously discussed budget while adding a $252,500 COLA pool (described in the meeting as covering county staff and the Board of Education), $250,000 in unrestricted funds distributed to four towns and Ocean Pines, a $2,000 sheriff's COLA with grading to be implemented July 1, and a 2¢ reduction in the property tax rate. Commissioner Bertino seconded. A voice/hand vote was taken and the chair announced counts of "4, 4, and 3"; county staff then presented updated line-item estimates showing an approximate $728,444 increase to the Board of Education budget, about $390,000 in increased county staff salaries, and $250,000 for towns, with residual budgetary impacts noted by staff.

The board also approved a motion requiring the sheriff's office to present quarterly overtime reports to the commissioners to clarify overtime usage and needs. Commissioner Abbott made the motion and Commissioner Bunting seconded; the meeting record shows a voice vote with brief dissent.

Finally, commissioners passed a motion to direct the remainder of the estimated FY25 surplus toward the county's OPEB (other post-employment benefits) obligations for the Board of Education. That motion was seconded by Commissioner Bertino and recorded as unanimous.

Throughout the meeting, county staff clarified figures and terminology: they corrected an earlier statement about the $9 million wastewater loan (noting approximately $3 million of that was granted rather than loaned), emphasized that the "budget stabilization fund" is the formal name for a reserve used in past years, and confirmed the Board of Education support staff COLA is $2,000. Some numbers in the presentation were incompletely transcribed (for example, the expenditure line rate was garbled in the record); staff said they would return to update exact figures.

The board closed with sharply divided remarks: several commissioners praised the package as equitable and supportive of employees and local towns, while others said the board had done a disservice by committing funds instead of conserving reserves for uncertain state actions.

The commissioners adjourned at 12:49 p.m.