Following more than 20 hours of discussion during multiple work sessions, Carroll County commissioners voted Thursday to adopt a proposed fiscal 2023 budget for the county. Budget totals are still being worked out, but the commissioners confirmed that there will be no changes to the county tax rate in fiscal 2023.
The commissioners set aside funds in the fiscal 2023 budget for several projects, including $4 million for future expansion of the Northern Landfill, $3 million for agricultural preservation, $2.3 million for the new Fire and EMS Department staffing plan; an increase of $2 million for the Board of Education budget; and $1 million to move up construction of the sheriff’s office’s new headquarters.
The board voted 4-1 to adopt the proposed county budget and release it for public feedback; Commissioner Eric Bouchat voted against.
Bouchat, a Republican representing District 4, said he is “seriously concerned” about how the numbers in the budget are working out.
In the operating plan, revenues are projected for the next budget and five years after based on an assumption of how costs will change over the years. In the proposed fiscal 2023 budget, projected expenses exceed projected revenues, which means without any changes, there won’t be enough revenue to cover the cost of services.
“This is going to create a nightmare for the people who replace us,” Bouchat said.
The next step is to host a series of community meetings at public library branches to explain the budget, then county residents may provide feedback at a public hearing in May.
During the Thursday work session, Commissioner Dennis Frazier, a District 3 Republican, suggested the board put aside $2.4 million of one-time money for Carroll Community College in Westminster to construct a new sports complex on campus. That amount is half what the college estimated it would cost to build a stadium complex, Frazier said, adding that county funding of $2.4 million would be a start and would allow construction of a turf field that could also be used by the general public.
“I think it’s a good way to help the college out, to get them started with their program here,” Frazier said.
Currently, the college only has one regulation grass field that accommodates soccer and lacrosse. The campus also includes a small fitness center as well as a gymnasium that does not meet standards for regulation play of any indoor sport.
“From the beginning … the community has been reaching out talking about turf fields,” said Commissioner President Ed Rothstein, a District 5 Republican. “Westminster is a great location because it’s in the center [of the county]. … I think there needs to be more as we move forward but at least this will give us something.”
Commissioner Stephen Wantz, a Republican representing District 1, said he still had reservations about putting money toward a project that doesn’t have a concrete plan; however, “with the way the budget is going, I’m thinking if we don’t do it now, when is it going to happen?”
Commissioners voted 4-1, with Bouchat dissenting, to include $2.4 million for the college sports complex in the budget.
“We’ve got the potential to change what we’ve already discussed,” Wantz said. “I’m anxious to see what the public has to say, but I think we can do all that we’ve done here.”
Moving forward, Ted Zaleski, director of management and budget for the county, will hold a series of community meetings at public library branches to review and explain the proposed budget to the public.
Meetings are scheduled for April 27 at the Eldersburg branch; April 28 at the Mount Airy branch; May 2 at the Westminster branch; May 3 at the Taneytown branch; and May 9 at the North Carroll branch. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.
A virtual public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m., May 10. More information on viewing and participating in the public hearing will be provided closer to the date.
“I do ask the community to continue to have the dialogue with us,” Rothstein said. “I’m very pleased that we did not adjust taxes this year.”
Adjusted budget totals for fiscal 2023 will be available early next week, as changes are still being incorporated. The fiscal 2022 budget, which covered July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, totaled $681,635,278.
Final adoption of the fiscal 2023 Carroll County budget is set for May 24.
