The Cecil County Council has unanimously approved a $280M operating budget for fiscal 2026, affirming key investments in public safety, education, and infrastructure while maintaining steady tax rates, even amid mounting budget pressures from the State.
County Executive Adam Streight’s administration highlighted the budget’s balanced approach, which maintains core services and long-term priorities and holds the property tax rate at $0.9824 per $100 assessed value, the personal property tax rate at $2.4560, and the local income tax rate at 2.74%.
The approved fiscal 2026 budget also expands targeted tax relief for seniors, law enforcement, and military retirees.
Supporting Safety and Emergency Response
Public safety remains a top priority in the adopted budget. The plan delivers funding for new paramedic stations, upgraded ambulances, a modern computer-aided dispatch system, and continued investments at the Sheriff’s Public Safety Training Center.
These initiatives build on a recent three-year agreement with law enforcement unions that improves salary scales and boosts recruitment and retention.
Investing in Schools and Workforce Development
The adopted budget fully funds Cecil County Public Schools, including $6 million above the State’s required Maintenance of Effort level and $1.3 million to cover new teacher pension costs shifted from the State.
Additional investments include expanded funding for Cecil College and the County’s library system, reinforcing the County’s commitment to education and lifelong learning.
Advancing Economic Growth and Infrastructure
The fiscal 2026 budget supports economic development through infrastructure improvements at the Bainbridge site and continued local funding for the Enterprise Zone program — a longstanding local tool that MACo successfully advocated to preserve in this year’s state budget.
Cecil County’s infrastructure plan also includes resurfacing projects and bridge repairs, such as the improvements to Mechanics Valley Road and Oldfield Point Road, which enhance both safety and access in growing areas.
Expanding Fiscal Transparency
The fiscal 2026 budget introduces a restructured format designed to increase transparency and improve clarity in how revenues and expenditures are categorized. The County continues to invest in its OpenGov platform to support resident engagement and more effective service delivery.
“These pillars—public safety and education — were clearly outlined in our administration’s strategic priorities, and I’m proud to say we delivered,” said County Executive Adam Streight.
“This budget is the result of hard work, collaboration, and a relentless focus on the people of Cecil County. I want to thank every member of the County Council for faithfully fulfilling their duties as required by the Charter, dissecting the budget line by line and asking the tough questions to ensure that our funding of county government—and our priorities—were in the best interest of the taxpayers.”
The fiscal 2026 budget takes effect July 1, 2025.
