Westminster, Md, Friday, May 1, 2020 – Yesterday, the Board of County Commissioners unveiled its proposed budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins July 1, 2020. The $417.6 million General Fund, which authorizes day-to-day expenses, is a slight decrease from $418.8 million in FY2020. The budget proposes no tax rate increase for FY2021. A virtual community meeting to review the budget is planned for May 5th and the virtual Budget Public Hearing will be held on May 12th.

Carroll County Management and Budget Director Ted Zaleski presented an overview to the board today. The FY2021 budget process was especially difficult this year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, its potential massive impact on the economy and county residents and other financial uncertainties. COVID-19’s impact on county revenue is extremely difficult to predict at this time. The commissioners stressed that the budget remains a work in progress and intends to revisit the document at a future date in the fall, after the county determines effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and learns of any state and federal funding assistance.

The proposed FY2021 Budget is available for public viewing on the county’s website www.carrollcountymd.gov. 

Due to the State of Emergency and restrictions requiring social distancing, the five previously scheduled community meetings and public hearing meeting must be restructured to be handled virtually.  In place of the community meetings, one virtual FY2021 Budget Road Show is planned for Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  The public can participate in the event here. This is an interactive event with comments and questions submitted online during the evening.

The FY2021 virtual Budget Public Hearing is Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The public can participate here. Instead of participating in person, residents should send comments on the proposed budget by mail to Mr. Ted Zaleski, Carroll County Management and Budget, 225 N. Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157 or email to tzaleski@carrollcountymd.gov.  All citizen comments received by 6:00 on Tuesday, March 12, 2020 will be read at a virtual budget public hearing on May 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. There will be no in-person testimony on the budget proposal, in order to protect the public and staff; however, all residents are encouraged to submit comments before the hearing. Residents can continue to send comments until May 19, 2020.

Virtual Budget Meetings:

To watch the virtual Management & Budget overview Budget Road Show with Ted Zaleski on May 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.: Virtual FY2021 Budget Road Show

To watch the Virtual Budget Public Hearing on May 12, 2020:   Carroll County Virtual FY20201 Budget Public Hearing

The commissioners may meet as needed after the public hearing to further discuss the budget with formal adoption of the FY2021 budget scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Meetings are available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.