Carroll Presents Recommended Budget: Revenues Decent, Pressures Remain

Carroll County Director of Management and Budget and MACo County Budget and Finance Officers Affiliate President Ted Zaleski presented the Fiscal Year 18 Recommended Budget Presentation to the Board of Carroll County Commissioners yesterday. From the County’s press release:

The FY18 Budget Overview is derived from hundreds of staff hours during which staff review prior budgets, meet with agency and department leaders, follow trends in the real estate market, income taxes, recordation and filing fees and a whole host of other activities to ensure that the recommended budget is based on the best, most accurate and up-to-date information possibly available.

Mr. Zaleski began the presentation with three core messages: the revenue outlook is modestly improved; pressures on our ability to maintain service levels remain; and that uncertainty is greater than our flexibility. He then revealed a thorough and detailed presentation of the FY18 budget.

The Recommended Budget includes $186.9 million for public schools, an increase in $5 million from Fiscal 2017, and $8.8 million for Carroll County Community College, an increase of 3 percent over the current fiscal year. The library receives $8.7 million in county funds, an increase of 3 percent over the current fiscal year, as well as $1 million from the state.

Public Works funding is increased by 4.21 percent to $29.7 million, which includes maintenance for two closed schools. Sheriff services are funded with $9.2 million, increased by 2.8 percent over the current fiscal year. The Detention Center receives $7.8 million, an increase of 3.5 percent. Courts and State’s Attorney’s offices also receive more funding than they did this year.

Animal control gets $0.9 million, which is a 6.7 percent increase, and recreation and parks receives $2.1 million, or a 6.4 percent increase.

Debt service is decreased by 3.3 percent. Amounts for pensions increase by 3.7 percent, and OPEB increases by 4.5 percent.

The capital budget includes $66.1 million for fiscal 2018, which includes $21.3 million for schools, $13.5 million for roads, $2 million for bridges, and $2 million for culture and recreation.