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Calvert County staff propose $411 million FY27 budget, use $12M fund balance for capital
Summary
County staff presented a $411 million staff-recommended FY2027 budget that uses $12 million in prior-year fund balance for capital projects, increases school funding to $163 million, and adds public-safety staffing including six new school resource officers; commissioners asked staff to return with adjustments and kept the record open through April 11.
County staff presented the fiscal year 2027 staff-recommended budget to the Board of County Commissioners, estimating total revenues of $411,000,000 and an adjusted recurring revenue base of $396,000,000. The plan recommends using $12,000,000 in prior-year fund balance explicitly for capital projects and proposes a general fund allocation that dedicates about 16% to public safety and roughly $163,000,000 to the Board of Education.
"This proposal reflects months of collaboration across departments and agencies, and it represents a balanced fiscally responsible plan to maintain core services," County Administrator Linda Turner said as she opened the presentation. CFO Melina Brookshire spelled out key assumptions, including property tax at $227,000,000 (approximately 55% of general fund revenues) and an income tax share near 33%, noting the income line can be volatile due to state reconciliation processes.
Brookshire told commissioners the recommendation includes seven new positions, including a recruiter and six additional school resource officers, and a first-year lease program adding 52 vehicles for the sheriff's office. On reserves, she said available fund balance totaled approximately $145,000,000 with about $104,000,000 unassigned, allowing a limited, one-time transfer to support critical infrastructure now rather than increasing long-term borrowing.
Commissioners voted to ask staff to prepare a commissioner's budget and provide adjustments ahead of publication; the board also voted to keep the public record open through the close of business on April 11, 2026, to accept additional input. The motion passed on an oral vote.
