Caroline County board votes to advertise 6¢ tax-rate increase as part of FY2027 budget process

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a proposed 6¢ increase in the real-estate tax rate on April 2 as the county begins the formal public-notice process for the FY2027 budget. The advertisement moves the maximum proposed rate from 52¢ to 58¢ per $100 of assessed value; the board can reduce that figure after public hearings.

County Administrator Mister Culley told the board that the advertised rate would provide flexibility to fund public-safety pay adjustments, additional positions and other operating needs. Culley presented scenarios showing that a 3¢ increase would cover public-safety raises alone, a 4¢ increase could fund raises plus nine additional positions and a 6¢ increase would allow the county to cover raises, several hires and leave room for other priorities.

The vote followed more than two hours of discussion in which several supervisors warned about the strain higher taxes place on residents during an uncertain economic period while others emphasized recruitment and retention problems in public safety. Sheriff Moser described difficulty filling vacancies and said call volume per deputy has risen sharply, telling supervisors, “Now it's 1,200 calls per deputy per year.” That testimony was central to arguments in favor of funding the sheriff's proposed pay changes.

Supervisors also weighed the county's fund balance and near-term revenue uncertainty tied to sales-tax projections and future revenue from proposed data-center projects. Culley said meaningful revenue from the major industrial projects currently in permitting would not appear until 2029 for planning purposes.

The motion to advertise the 6¢ rate was moved and seconded in open session, was subject to an initial vote and a subsequent reconsideration, and carried by roll call. Board members cast recorded voices on the motion during the session. The advertisement means the county will publish the proposed rate and hold the required public hearing(s) before adopting a final tax rate alongside the FY2027 budget.

Next steps include formal public notice, at least one public hearing on the advertised rate and a future vote to adopt the budget and final tax rate. The board's action simply set the maximum rate that can be considered during that process; any final decision may be lower after public comment and further budget adjustments.