Allegany County adopts 2026 budget, uses 2% tax-cap override but projects a tax-rate decrease

The Allegany County Board of Legislators approved the county's 2026 budget on Dec. 17, passing a set of resolutions to amend the tentative budget and adopt the final budget for fiscal year 2026.

Legislator Stockton moved the package of budget resolutions (intros 48525'48725) and explained the work of the budget officer and deputy budget officer in preparing a difficult budget. Stockton said the process included a 2% tax-cap override and added, "I think it's important to note that this adopted budget will represent a tax rate decrease." The resolutions and subsequent appropriations (resolution intro 48825) passed by recorded votes where required; roll calls in the transcript show recorded approvals with 15 ayes where recorded.

Legislators also thanked Treasurer Terry Ross and budget staff for their work; Treasurer Ross said she appreciated the opportunity to serve and reflected on the changes in preparing budgets over her tenure. Legislator Jan Burdick and others emphasized the difficulty of staying under the tax cap and acknowledged the public patience during the process.

The board approved related amendments and transfers to finalize fiscal-year appropriations and closed the budget portion of the agenda. The adopted budget was represented by the board as a tax-rate decrease while implementing the first recorded local use of a 2% override to the tax cap in the county's recent history.

Next procedural steps noted in the meeting included standard execution of appropriations and publication of the final budget documents according to county rules.