Worcester County proposes FY27 almost $300 million budget

Snow Hill, Md. – Worcester County commissioners heard several comments from residents after the presentation of the county’s proposed budget of $299 million, with a significant portion proposed to go towards education.

Chief Administrative Officer for the Worcester Office of County Commissioners Weston Young presented the budget, notably setting aside $146.6 million for education and $61.6 million for public safety. Young said one of the biggest cost drivers are rising costs on county operations, making the county pay more for insurance and employee benefits a need for competitive salaries, utility costs and equipment replacements in public works. He also said the state’s FY27 budget also shifted costs for libraries and community colleges towards the county and that there is uncertainty when it comes to funding for rural development programs at the federal level.

“We’ve been fortunate to get certain things adjusted at the state level. And that moved the needle about $4 million from a projected $3 million deficit to about a $1.3 million surplus,” Young told WMDT after the hearing.

Residents passionately testified in support of fully funding the proposed budget for education, saying they wanted higher salaries for educators.

The county also proposed to increase water and wastewater base rates by 5%, citing rising costs in maintenance and operations as well as increased need for testing. Ocean City resident Barbara Conner said she was concerned about raising rates and said she was shocked by her high water bill, saying it was “$55.38 more than the month’s previous bill.”

“But after listening to everybody here — the Sheriff’s Office and the educators — I’d just as soon have my $55 go to them. Thanks,” she said to thunderous applause.

Young said the commissioners will discuss the budget based on residents’ testimony, both at the hearing and comments that are emailed to them, ahead of the budget work session on May 12.