HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $536.2 million fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budget Tuesday in a 4-1 vote after newly appointed Commissioner Neil Parrott unsuccessfully sought a property tax rate reduction.
The adopted budget includes a $355.75 million General Fund budget, a $103.53 million capital budget and $76.95 million in other funds.
Parrott, who was appointed last month to replace former Commissioner Derek Harvey following Harvey’s resignation, cast the lone opposing vote after proposing a reduction in the county property tax rate from 92.8 cents to 92 cents per $100 of assessed value.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people that are really hurting right now,” Parrott said. “Their electricity costs are going up. They’re paying at least 5% extra if they’re living in their houses for their property taxes.”
Parrott proposed offsetting the reduced tax revenue by cutting county operating spending outside the Board of Education budget by one-half percent.
“I’d like to try and give them a break,” he said.
His proposal failed to receive a second from the board.
Commission President John F. Barr then called for a vote on the original budget motion, which passed with support from Barr, Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and commissioners Randal A. Leatherman and Randall E. Wagner.
Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace said the final budget was unchanged from the version presented during last week’s public hearing.
“The total budget is unchanged from what was presented at the budget presentation,” Mace said.
The 2027 budget increases county spending by 10.1% over the current fiscal year.
County projections show general tax revenues increasing by more than $31.6 million, including a $15.8 million increase in property tax revenue and a $14 million increase in income tax revenue.
Budget documents state the county property tax rate itself remains unchanged and that increased revenue is tied to higher property assessments from the state.
“We essentially have a tax increase, even though we’re not changing the rates,” Parrott said.
Cline said property assessments are controlled by the state and suggested lawmakers may need to revisit the process.
“The state does the assessments,” Cline said. “Maybe something at the state level needs to readjust the way they assign these assessed values.”
Education remains the county’s largest spending category at $145.45 million, accounting for 41% of General Fund expenditures.
The Board of Education allocation increases by nearly $5.94 million and includes funding tied to Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirements, pension cost shifts and private prekindergarten expenses.
Public safety spending rises to $97.85 million, including a 27.2% increase for EMS operations and a 13.5% increase for fire operations.
County officials attributed much of the emergency services increase to wage adjustments, consolidation of additional rescue companies into county operations and higher operating costs.
The budget also includes a planned increase in the county’s 911 fee from $1.75 to $2 to help support emergency services funding.
Capital spending increases sharply under the new budget, with the county allocating $33 million for capital improvements and debt service.
Budget documents state the increase is intended to cover major capital projects while debt service costs declined because the county eliminated a planned spring 2026 bond issue.
