Calvert County presents $86.2M FY2027 capital request and $569.4M six‑year CIP; board gives high‑level direction

Danielle Russell, capital improvement projects and grants manager, presented Calvert County’s FY2027 staff‑recommended capital budget and the six‑year capital improvement program during a Feb. 24 work session.

Russell said FY2027’s capital request totals $86.2 million and the six‑year program totals $569.4 million, with major projects staggered to avoid stacking construction in single years. “This presentation focuses on the overall capital framework, financing, sequencing, and policy compliance,” Russell said, noting peak construction years in the CIP are projected in FY2029 and FY2030.

Staff emphasized affordability and debt policy. Russell described two self‑imposed general fund debt limits — 9.5% debt service to revenue and 1.8% debt to assessed value — and said current projections keep the county below those thresholds but that the 1.8% metric could be approached during the six‑year program. Staff said they will work with financial advisers and monitoring agencies to preserve the county’s AAA rating while offering options for bonding periods and sequencing.

Commissioners asked about school projects and sequencing; staff identified Calvert Elementary and Calvert Country School colocation as a major driver of the program and offered to return with additional school planning detail. Multiple commissioners praised the clarity and responsible sequencing shown in the work session and thanked staff for improved budget transparency.

Staff will continue to refine project timing and costs and the board will hold a public hearing on the capital budget in March.