(5/2024) County Executive Jessica Fitzwater presented the County’s Proposed Budget for FY-25 on April 15. The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget totals $981.9 million. It has a proposed property tax increase of five centers and dedicated for school construction. The proposed budget also provides for $10 million above the State’s Maintenance of Effort (MOE) educational funding requirement.
On April 23, the Council held a Public Hearing for the FY-25 Board of Education and Frederick County Government Budget. Following this Public Hearing, the Council held three days of Budget workshops on April 24, April 25, and April 26 from 10 to 4. During these workshops, the Council Members met with leaders from the Departments within the Frederick County Government to discuss Budget needs and priorities.
The Council will begin to discuss possible Budget Amendments on April 30. The Amendment proposal and approval process will continue after April 30. The Public Hearing for the County’s Property Tax Rate will be held on May 7. The Final Budget with any possible approved Amendments must be approved by the Council by May 31.
The County Council recently passed Bill 24-02, amending the Frederick County Code Regarding the Sustainable Monocacy Commission. Bill 24-03, passed by 6-1 vote, revises the Braddock Heights, Libertytown, and New Addition Electric Lighting District tax rates so that projected revenue covers projected costs.
Upcoming legislation includes Bill 24-04, Revising the Frederick County Building Code, Bill 24-05, Revising the Frederick County Electrical Code, and Bill 24-06, Revising the Frederick County Plumbing Code. I am sponsoring these Bills on behalf of the County Executive. Relevant documentation and the text of all Bills will be linked to our agendas. All documentation can be found on our website.
The Frederick County Council encourages public involvement at every stage of the legislative process. We welcome public comment at every Council meeting on Tuesday evenings. Members of the public are welcome to attend and give comment in person, leave a voicemail to be forwarded to each Council Member, or email us any time at councilmembers@frederickcountymd.gov. Please visit our website at www.frederickcountymd.gov/countycouncil to view our latest agendas, legislation, and upcoming calendar of events.
And as always, if there is ever anything I can do for you, please feel free to reach out to me and my office. You can contact me via email at: BYoung@FrederickCountyMD.gov, or you can call my office at 301-600-1108.
