Talbot County, Maryland

04/15/2025

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council introduced the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget during a special legislative session held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

The proposed General Fund Budget totals $161,052,000, reflecting a fiscally conservative approach focused on preserving fund balance, maintaining low taxes, and investing in public safety, education, and essential infrastructure.

The FY 2026 budget prioritizes long-term financial stability by limiting recurring expenses, investing conservatively in capital improvements, and continuing to build reserves.

Public safety and education remain top funding priorities, with 43% of the operating budget dedicated to Talbot County Public Schools, including a $55.1M appropriation and an additional $260,500 for capital projects; 24% of the operating budget is dedicated to public safety.

The budget includes a 2.5% cost of living adjustment and one performance-based step increase for County employees, while maintaining current staffing levels in general government. No new positions are proposed in the general fund budget.

Additional highlights include:

• Use of $3.84 million in fund balance for capital equipment purchases
• Allocation of $13.7 million for capital projects with a focus on completing existing infrastructure and facility improvements
• $1.7 million designated for Recreation Fund capital projects
• A one-cent property tax increase dedicated to public safety, as authorized by Talbot County voters in 2020 and 2024

The budget proposal continues to build on Talbot County’s strong financial position. Fitch Ratings affirmed the County’s AAA rating in August 2024, and Moody’s Investors Service rates Talbot County Aa1, citing a conservative management approach and strong reserves.

Council will need to consider an amendment to the budget to account for the Mandated increases from the State for teacher and community college pensions totaling $450,000. This amendment will be considered at a later date.

Public Hearings and Comments

Residents are encouraged to participate in the upcoming public hearings scheduled for:

• Tuesday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room
• Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Easton High School Cafeteria

Written public comments are welcome and may be submitted via email to PublicComment@talbotcountymd.gov or submitted online through the County’s new civic engagement platform at https://engage.talbotcountymd.gov/fy2026budget.

Final budget deliberations are scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, with budget adoption slated for Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

To review documents and past meetings related to the FY2026 Budget (Bill No. 1585), visit https://engage.talbotcountymd.gov/fy2026budget.

council highlights budget fy25 budget