Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget would significantly expand education, housing, childcare, and public safety investments while holding County property and income tax rates unchanged.
The proposed all-funds budget totals roughly $1.14 billion, up nearly 12% from fiscal 2026, while holding County property and income tax rates unchanged.
The County property tax rate would remain at $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, while Frederick County’s variable income tax structure would remain in place. The proposed budget also includes nearly $79.3 million in fund balance — including roughly $39 million tied to one-time appropriations.
The proposed budget also fully funds the Board of Education’s request for the first time since Frederick became a charter county. Total Board of Education support would exceed $512.5 million, a 12.1% increase over fiscal 2026. The proposal includes more than $462.6 million in direct operating support, along with additional funding for debt service, pensions, school health, crossing guards, and private pre-K obligations.
The proposal also continues Frederick County’s significant investment in school construction and renovation projects. County Executive Fitzwater highlighted ongoing work at Hillcrest Elementary, Twin Ridge Elementary, and Brunswick High School, while also pointing to recent progress on Linganore Creek Elementary School and other projects.
The budget also places heavy emphasis on affordability and housing pressures. County Executive Fitzwater’s budget message points to the County’s recently released housing needs assessment, which identified a need for more than 30,000 additional housing units over the next decade and found that more than 20,000 residents currently spend over 30% of their income on housing costs.
To address those pressures, the proposal adds funding to the County’s Housing Initiative Fund, supported in part by increased recordation tax revenues tied to data center development. The budget also includes additional staffing for affordable housing programs, funding for senior housing at Montevue, and a pilot scholarship program aimed at helping low-income families enroll four-year-olds in private pre-kindergarten programs.
The proposed budget also expands support for older residents. County Executive Fitzwater proposed broadening eligibility for the County’s senior property tax credit and fully funding the Division of Aging and Independence’s request, including support for a new senior center in Brunswick.
Public safety and EMS funding also continue to grow. The proposal advances phase three of Frederick County’s tactical staffing plan for Fire and Rescue Services, following recommendations from Battalion Chief Josh Laird’s Line of Duty After Action Report. The budget also includes funding for a new Carroll Manor Fire Station in Adamstown.
Nonprofit partnerships and community-based services remain another significant focus. The proposal includes $1.2 million for Community Partnership Grants to support organizations focused on homelessness, housing, public health, the arts, and other community services. The budget also creates a new immigrant affairs liaison position to coordinate with immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations and support the County’s Immigrant Affairs Commission.
At the same time, the proposal reflects the broader fiscal pressures facing Maryland counties. Personnel costs continue to rise sharply, with salaries and wages increasing by more than 11% and benefits climbing another 5.3% in the proposed budget. The County also continues to absorb growing Blueprint-related obligations, including pension costs and private pre-K expenses.
Under Frederick County’s charter process, the County Council must adopt the budget by May 31.
