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Hagerstown Mayor and Council introduces FY2027 tax rate, adopts FY2027 budget and approves related ordinances
Summary
At a May 12 special session the Hagerstown Mayor and Council introduced an ordinance setting the FY2027 tax rate, adopted the FY2027 budget and approved related administrative items; the record for both the tax rate and budget public hearings remains open through May 18, 2026.
The Hagerstown Mayor and Council on May 12 held a special session to introduce an ordinance establishing the city's FY2027 tax rates and to adopt the city's FY2027 budget.
The council introduced an ordinance setting the real property tax rate at $1.057 per $100 of assessed value and the business personal property rate at $2.643 per $100, and approved introduction of the FY2027 budget as presented. Staff said keeping the tax rates at current levels, using the state's constant-yield calculation, could yield about $900,000 in additional property-tax revenue because of anticipated market-value growth, annexations and new development. The budget totals were presented across all funds at approximately $248.7 million, with the general fund projected at $75.6 million (a 6.4% increase, roughly $4.6 million over the prior year) and enterprise funds totaling about $140.5 million (up about $18.8 million or 15.4%). The budget and tax-rate records were left open through May 18, 2026 for additional comments.
Votes at a glance
- Tax-rate ordinance (introduction): Motion introduced to establish FY2027 tax rates as stated; motion passed with one councilmember recorded as opposed. (Introduced May 12, 2026.) - FY2027 budget ordinance (introduction): Motion introduced to adopt the FY2027 budget in the amount presented; motion passed. (Introduced May 12, 2026.) - Sale of equipment: Council approved the sale of a 2003 KME XMFD pumper to the lone bidder for $50,000. Council characterized the price as reasonable given time on the market and lack of other offers. - Appointment: Mayor announced the appointment of Ronald Breler Jr. to the Hagerstown Housing Authority through Aug. 30, 2028.
Why it matters
The budget sets spending priorities for city services and capital work for July 1, 2026'June 30, 2027; the tax-rate introduction preserves current rates while staff projects a revenue increase driven by rising property values and development. The council's actions now move the ordinances forward for subsequent readings and any required formal adoption steps.
The meeting record remains open through May 18 for members of the public to submit comments that could influence final ordinance language or adoption timing.
