Berlin plans $2.5M cuts to fiscal year 2020 budget

BERLIN, Md. – In Berlin, town officials are working to finalize their fiscal year 2020 budget that is $2.5 million less than their current budget.

Right now the current budget is $18.1 million, but the town tells 47 ABC that they’re having to cut costs because the town only has three months worth of reserves left.

To make sure that doesn’t go any lower, officials have made cuts in every department including public safety.

Berlin Mayor Gee Williams explains, “For all public safety, police, fire, EMS the budget was cut the same. They’re, generally speaking, we’re talking about 10 percent, so other areas we were able to cut more so that the overall budget is 14 percent less.” 

Mayor Williams tells 47 ABC that the cuts aren’t enough to decrease service, but that the town will have to push back capital improvement projects like street repairs and storm water upgrades. 

These cuts come after the town just raised property taxes by 18 percent. On May 28th, the council will be making final decisions on sewer and water rate increases and then a final passage of the budget is set for June 10th.