The Charles County Commissioners adopted a balanced General Fund budget of $404,659,200 for fiscal 2019 on May 15. The budget marks a 3.4 percent increase over fiscal 2018. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the County has balanced the budget without increasing tax rates. According to the County’s press release:

The adopted budget protects core services, invests in education and public safety priorities, and incorporates efficiencies in county operations.

Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy stated:

I am pleased that the Board of Commissioners has been able to hold the line on the tax rates while continuing to deliver the high-quality services our community expects and deserves. Our fiscally-responsible choices have resulted in a balanced budget that will be sustainable in the future.

Budget highlights include:

• $6.49 million increase for Charles County Public Schools
• $2.96 million increase for the Sheriff’s Office
•  $2.84 million increase for County Government operations, to fund employees salary increases and hire staff to open the new Waldorf Senior and Recreational Facility
• Real property tax rate remains $1.141 with an additional $0.064 for Fire and Rescue per $100 of assessed value
• $457.5 million allocated for the five-year capital improvement program (fiscal years 2019-23) to pay for enhanced school security, school construction, upgrading the county’s 9-1-1 system and investments in new or improved assets including roads, parks, water and sewer infrastructure, and other public facilities

Click here to read about the fiscal 2019 budget proposal.