Charles County’s fiscal 2025 budget invests in education, public safety, county professionals, and essential services, all while maintaining current tax rates.
The Charles County Board of County Commissioners approved a balanced fiscal 2025 operating budget of $561,338,600, marking a 6.4 percent increase over last year. The budget boosts funding for education, public safety, recreation, and other essential services without raising property or income tax rates. It also boosts employee compensation with merit and cost-of-living increases, plus a $750 base-pay increase for eligible full-time employees in July.
“The fiscal 2025 budget underscores our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of our community, emphasizing crucial areas such as education, public safety, and infrastructure, and increasing funding for youth programs,” said Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. “This allocation reflects our unwavering support for our public schools, the Sheriff’s Office, and the essential services provided by County Government, and highlights our commitment to addressing the needs of young people in our community.”
Budget Highlights
Education: The budget includes a $12.64 million increase for Charles County Public Schools, exceeding state-mandated funding by nearly $11.7 million and doubling last year’s funding increase. This funding supports salary increases for employees and the opening of the Waldorf Early Learning Center for Pre-K students. Including allocations for the Charles County Public Library and College of Southern Maryland, total education funding is $248.77 million, or 44.3 percent of the operating budget.
Public Safety: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office receives a $9.28 million increase, totaling $130.59 million, or 23.3 percent of the operating budget. The budget includes funding for ten new sworn officers, the body-worn camera program, additional record technicians, other positions, and salary increases for staff.
County Government Operations: The budget allocates $100.07 million, or 17.8 percent of the operating budget, to government operations. The budget includes funding for ten new emergency medical technicians (EMTs), additional staff for recreation and community services, support for commercial development in the Western Technology Corridor, and administrative tools for technology, security, equity, and accountability.
Other Allocations: Debt service totals $32.6 million for fiscal 2025, with other government functions like the State’s Attorney’s Office, Health Department, Circuit Court, Election Board, and other local agencies receiving $21.85 million, or 3.9 percent of the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
The fiscal year 2025-29 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget is $1.07 billion. It covers county infrastructure, including schools, county buildings, roads, parks, water and sewer facilities, and stormwater management.
