WESTMINSTER, MD (JK) — Carroll County officials have started work on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and are inviting residents to participate in the process.
During a recent open session, Director of Management and Budget Ted Zaleski presented a budget overview to the Board of Commissioners. The presentation outlined the county’s financial outlook and key challenges, including uncertainty surrounding the final state budget and potential federal impacts.
Officials also noted the county is expected to end Fiscal Year 2026 with about a 79-million-dollar unassigned fund balance. Zaleski cautioned that the surplus should be considered one-time funding and may not be available in future budgets.
Rising costs tied to Maryland’s Blueprint for education remain a major factor in long-term budget planning, with more expenses being shifted to local governments.
The recommended budget will be presented to commissioners on March 17, followed by agency funding meetings and budget work sessions.
Residents will have opportunities to share feedback during community presentations scheduled April 22 through April 30 at libraries and other locations across Carroll County. A formal public hearing is planned for May 6 at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.
County commissioners are expected to adopt the final budget in late May. The press release from the Carroll County Government is available HERE.
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