Calvert County’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget increases funding for schools, public safety, employee compensation, and capital projects while continuing the County’s emphasis on reserve levels and long-term fiscal stability.
The proposed operating budget totals roughly $420.5 million, while the County’s total capital budget reaches nearly $90 million.
The Board of County Commissioners also approved several additions to the staff-recommended budget, including additional education funding, employee compensation increases, and funding tied to Fraternal Order of Police negotiations.
Education remains the County’s largest operating expense.
The proposed budget includes roughly $169.8 million for Calvert County Public Schools, exceeding the State’s maintenance of effort requirement by approximately $9 million. The six-year Capital Improvement Program also dedicates roughly $183 million toward school construction, renovations, and systemic repairs.
Public safety funding also continues to grow.
The proposal adds funding for six new School Resource Officers, increases in employee compensation tied to FOP negotiations, and the creation of a dedicated Emergency Medical Services Cost Recovery Fund. The budget also establishes a separate AMOSS grant fund supporting volunteer fire departments.
County employees would receive a 2.7% COLA and one step increase under the proposal.
The Capital Improvement Program prioritizes school construction, transportation projects, public safety infrastructure, facility renovations, water and sewer projects, and recreation improvements. Planned transportation investments alone total roughly $20.2 million, including approximately $10 million for road paving and transportation infrastructure.
The proposed budget also relies on approximately $14.1 million in prior-year fund balance, including support for pay-as-you-go capital projects. At the same time, Calvert County maintains one of the strongest reserve positions in Maryland, with an available fund balance ratio of 37.2%, and continues to emphasize preserving its AAA bond rating across all three major rating agencies.
Excluding one-time revenues and reserve transfers, operating revenues have grown only modestly in recent years. The County’s operating revenue base totals roughly $400 million, reflecting about 2.8% growth since fiscal 2025.
The proposed budget also includes enterprise funding for water, sewer, solid waste, grants, libraries, parks, museums, opioid response, and cannabis-related programs.
After months of review, public input, and deliberation, the Board of County Commissioners will adopt the final fiscal 2027 budget in June.
