County Council Adopts FY2027 Budget

The seven-member Anne Arundel County Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget yesterday. This marked the final budget for this iteration of the council.

Both the council members and County Executive Steuart Pittman praised the budget for investing in education, public safety, and health and human services without implementing new taxes. Also included: a modest property tax rate cut from 97.7 to 96.8 cents for every $100 of assessed property.

The council had about six weeks to deliberate after receiving Pittman’s proposal on May 1. The budget, totaling over $2.5 billion, adds firefighter and teacher positions while supporting county departments and projects (see details at the end of this story).

In District 5, $152,000 is being earmarked for College Parkway improvements, and additional funding for the roadway is proposed over the following three fiscal years. Another $530,000 will fund the concept design and site search for a new animal services facility to replace the current building in Millersville.

Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler was happy to see $150,000 set aside for a grant program to fund security investments for houses of worship and nonprofits at risk of hate crimes. Before Pittman unveiled his budget proposal, members of the faith community requested funds for security guards and cameras, especially at houses of worship that have preschool and other youth activities.

“Everyone should feel safe when they go to worship, on whatever day they worship and for whatever religion they worship, so I’m glad we were able to get that done,” Fiedler said.

She noted investments in the sidewalk and bikeway fund — $890,000 for FY2027 — and thanked firefighters for speaking about their needs during town hall meetings. Fiedler also addressed requests from education professionals who want raises beyond the included step increases included in the budget.

“The reality of our fiscal situation that our budget officer has brought to our attention in numerous meetings and is echoed by representatives who look at the state board for every county in Maryland, MACo, is that the red alarm lights are blinking for the future and we have to acknowledge that reality,” Fiedler said. “The MACo officials warned that jurisdictions in the state of Maryland are going to face some really hard decisions in future years and some of our neighbors in other jurisdictions have had to make really difficult decisions with regard to the board of education this year. I think by us being fiscally responsible here, we are protecting ourselves or mitigating any potential scenarios next year. We can’t predict the future, but that was a hard decision to make, and I think we are making the right decision under the current fiscal scenario.”

Councilwoman Allison Pickard agreed with Fiedler’s assessment and said the council was “relatively collaborative” this year in working to address “serious competing needs.”

After thanking her colleagues for their approach, she called it disappointing to see the pause of support for public water access at Valentine Creek on the Severn River and an improved kayak launch at Beachwood Park on the Magothy River.

“I think there were some mistakes made with backtracking on some projects for public water access, but we will work toward more equity and inclusion in our capital program as we move forward,” Pickard said.

Overall, the council struck a positive tone when assessing the budget.

“I think the county, for the most part, we’re on the right path,” said Councilman Pete Smith. “I agree from a fiscal standpoint, we are in a good spot to endure some storms that may be coming in the future, so just grateful to be a part of this team to make that happen and looking forward to the future.”

Here are some of the other highlights, shared in a statement from Pittman’s office:

Education — Anne Arundel County Public Schools

• A step increase for all AACPS bargaining units plus a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to match other county employee raises
• 26 new special education positions
• $2 per hour raise for teacher support assistants
• New field houses at Arundel and Chesapeake high schools
• A greenhouse and new team room at Southern High School
• Construction of the final three schools in the Old Mill Master Plan

Public Safety

• 26 new firefighter positions to staff a new tanker in Jacobsville and a new fire truck in the Annapolis Neck and South County area
• A partnership with the City of Annapolis to jointly fund an emergency medical services pilot program
• Nine new positions for the Police Department, including six positions to staff the final daily shift at the Real Time Information Center to provide 24/7 coverage
• Funding to build the new Northern Police Station and the new Arundel, Waugh Chapel and Jessup fire stations

Health and Human Services

• $2 million for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank
• Doubling the funding for the Family Protection Initiative to provide immigrant families with legal assistance and crisis support services
• Five new Medicaid Navigator positions to help residents keep their health care coverage amidst new federal administrative burdens
• Adding two new case managers to the Department of Health’s REACH Program to connect uninsured residents with volunteer and discounted medical providers
• Expanding the Department of Health’s violence interruption program to Brooklyn Park
• Funding the Turnaround Thursday re-entry coordination program
• Funding for the Housing In Place, Home Our Priority (Hip Hop) Program to assist homeless youth

“The process that led to passage of this budget was collaborative, nonpartisan, and driven by our shared desire to enhance the lives of our residents,” Pittman shared in his statement. “I want to thank the county council for their partnership over the past eight years. This budget leaves the next administration a solid foundation from which we can truly make Anne Arundel County the best place for all.”