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Ridgely commissioners agree preliminary FY2027 budget adjustments, boost fire funding
Summary
At an April 23 budget workshop, Ridgely officials identified revenue risks from the loss of two personal-property taxpayers and agreed to preliminary FY2027 adjustments including a $40,000 donation to the local fire company, $10,000 for commissioners' expenses and a $2,500 Economic Development Commission line item.
The Commissioners of Ridgely on April 23, 2026, approved a set of preliminary adjustments to the town's fiscal 2027 budget, increasing the commissioners' expense line to $10,000 and raising the town's donation to the local fire company to $40,000, according to meeting minutes.
Financial Assistant Gerald Sutton reviewed revenue projections and urged a conservative approach after officials flagged the expected loss of personal property tax from Hanover Foods and Medifast as a material downside risk to the general fund. Sutton also outlined accounting distinctions between the general fund and the water and sewer enterprise fund.
Commissioners reviewed departmental expenses across police, sanitation, parks and streets and set legal fees at $9,000. The board asked staff to follow up on street maintenance projects and finalize quotes with contractor Bramble.
Town officials discussed the water and sewer enterprise fund's operating shortfall and noted that higher chemical usage and lab testing costs are contributing factors; commissioners directed staff to evaluate potential rate adjustments to address the deficit. No formal rate change was adopted at the workshop.
The board approved new and adjusted program funding: a $2,500 line item to support an Economic Development Commission, $500 for National Night Out activities, and an increase in fire company donations to $40,000 with a planned review in December to reassess the amount.
Action items from the workshop direct staff to prepare a budget ordinance for introduction in May, refine health insurance cost estimates, adjust budget line items as discussed, continue monitoring chemical orders for water treatment, and return with updated projections ahead of a final vote in June. The workshop adjourned at 4:11 p.m.
The April 23 meeting was a workshop setting to shape the draft FY2027 budget; the formal ordinance will be introduced in May and is expected to return for final consideration in June.
