North Beach opens FY2027 budget hearing, introduces Ordinance 26-01

The North Beach Town Council on May 14 opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2027 operating and capital budget and introduced Ordinance 26-01, which would adopt the town—udget for the year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027.

Town Administrator Linda Besalow presented the plan, saying the proposed general fund revenue and expenses each total $4,730,000 and that staff recommend using $365,319 of prior-year fund balance to help balance the budget. "The proposed budget reflects a balanced and responsible approach that maintains core services while continuing to invest in the town's long term needs," Besalow said.

Besalow described a six-year capital improvement plan with roughly $1.9 million projected in the FY27 CIP and listed scheduled loan payoffs she said would reduce debt service (the presentation listed payoffs of $89,453, $125,000 and $60,479). She told the council that water and sewer enterprise funds are balanced and self-supporting (water: $613,000; sewer: approximately $1,200,000) and that "no water rate increases are included in the FY '27 budget." Besalow also noted the council earlier approved a constant yield rate of 0.4859 and credited the county tax differential with saving town residents about $88,000.

Council members asked for clarifications about line items and presentation slides; staff acknowledged a transposed digit on a slide showing the constant-yield rate and said the slides would be corrected. Besalow said the budget book and detailed expense roll-ups are available to the public online.

Public comment at the hearing included remarks from Grace Mary Brady of the Bayside History Museum, who thanked the council for supporting the museum for 22 years and noted the organization relies on more than 20 volunteers and a broad network of partners. "Partnerships are very important, and we don't take for granted your support," Brady said.

Council member Mickey moved to close the public hearing and keep the record open through May 28, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Besalow told residents they may submit written comments to info@northbeachmd.gov.

Ordinance 26-01 was introduced during the hearing as the measure that, if adopted, would "approve and adopt the budget for the town of North Beach for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2026 and ending 06/30/2027" in accordance with the town charter and Maryland law. The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at the May 14 meeting; the hearing record will remain open through May 28 to accept additional comment.

What happens next: The council has kept the record open for additional public comment through May 28, and staff will return with any required corrections and a final ordinance vote in subsequent proceedings.