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Hagerstown council adopts FY27 budget, sets tax rates and advances multi‑year water and sewer rate ordinances
Summary
On May 19, 2026 the Hagerstown mayor and city council approved the city’s tax rates and adopted a $248,656,002 fiscal‑year 2027 budget; council also approved an ordinance on sewer rates and amended the record to treat the water‑rate proposal as introduced for FY27–FY31.
The Hagerstown mayor and city council on May 19 adopted the city’s tax rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and approved a $248,656,002 budget for FY27 after a special‑session vote.
The council moved and passed an ordinance establishing tax rates for the year; as read into the record the ordinance defined rental property taxes as “a dollar 57 per 100” of assessed value and business personal property as “$2.06 43 per 100” of assessed value. The transcript records the motion was approved by voice vote with the presiding officer calling for “Aye” and no opposition voiced on the record.
Council also handled multi‑year utility rate items. The council agreed to introduce an ordinance to set unit water rates and fixed charges for FY27–FY31 and to approve an ordinance to set sewer unit costs for FY27–FY31. The city’s presentation said water benefit fees and fire‑line fees will increase 5% each year for inside and outside customers for FY27–FY31, effective for bills rendered on or after July 1, 2026. Wastewater benefit fees were described as increasing 3% annually for FY27–FY31. The water and sewer rate language was attributed to a 2026 cost‑of‑service study prepared by NewGen Strategies and Solutions LLC.
A procedural correction followed later in the meeting: council members agreed to amend the prior action so the water‑rate item is recorded as an introduction rather than a final approval.
The meeting transcript does not record a roll‑call vote or individual vote tallies for these motions; each passed on an oral voice vote. The city administrator and council members said the actions are meant to keep the water and sewer funds self‑supporting and implement the rates recommended by the cost‑of‑service study.
Next steps: the water and sewer ordinances will be processed according to the city’s ordinance procedures with the stated effective date for billing of July 1, 2026, and staff will proceed with implementation steps outlined in the ordinances.
