The Carroll Board of County Commissioners last week presented its proposed budget for fiscal 2021, which begins July 1, 2020. The $417.6 million General Fund, which authorizes day-to-day expenses, is $1.2 million less than the fiscal 2020 General Fund budget.

Director of Management and Budget, Ted Zaleski, estimates that the County could lose $4 million per month in revenues as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The fiscal 2021 budget proposal reflects a significant reduction in local revenues and expenditures.

The budget fully funds the maintenance of effort requirement for Carroll County Public Schools and does not propose any tax rate increases. A virtual community meeting to review the budget is planned for May 5 and the virtual public hearing on the fiscal 2021 budget proposal will be held on May 12.

According to a press release:

The FY2021 budget process was especially difficult this year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, its potential massive impact on the economy and county residents and other financial uncertainties. COVID-19’s impact on county revenue is extremely difficult to predict at this time. The commissioners stressed that the budget remains a work in progress and intends to revisit the document at a future date in the fall, after the county determines effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and learns of any state and federal funding assistance.

Due to the State of Emergency and restrictions requiring social distancing, the five previously scheduled community meetings and public hearing meeting must be restructured to be handled virtually.  In place of the community meetings, one virtual FY2021 Budget Road Show is planned for Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  The public can participate in the event here. This is an interactive event with comments and questions submitted online during the evening.

Visit the Carroll County website to view the fiscal 2021 budget proposal and presentation.

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