Calvert County residents have an opportunity to voice input on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget as the Board of County Commissioners holds a public hearing Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Prince Frederick.
The hearing focuses on the staff-recommended operating and capital improvement plan, allowing public comments in person or remotely. It takes place in the Chesapeake Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building at 150 Main St. Remote participation uses phone: 929-229-2458, Meeting ID: 202-970-551, Passcode: #. The session streams live on the Calvert County Government YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.
The staff-recommended budget balances at $411 million in revenues and expenditures, maintaining current service levels across county departments and agencies. It aligns with the county’s vision for a safe, thriving community that balances economic growth with rural character, invests in all generations, and delivers quality of life through responsible services.
Key allocations include $163 million for Calvert County Public Schools, exceeding the state’s maintenance of effort requirement by about $3 million. This supports education while funding six School Resource Officers through the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, underscoring priorities in public safety and student well-being.
The capital improvement plan totals $86 million for FY27, emphasizing school construction, renovations, and infrastructure repairs. It includes a $12 million appropriation from prior-year fund balance for pay-go funding. Enterprise funds balance separately: Water & Sewer at $12 million and Solid Waste at $17 million.
The full staff-recommended budget is available online at www.calvertcountymd.gov/FY27Budget for review ahead of the hearing. Hard copies are accessible at public libraries or by contacting the Department of Finance & Budget at 410-535-1600, ext. 2435, or BudgetTeam@calvertcountymd.gov.
Residents can submit written comments via email to BudgetTeam@calvertcountymd.gov, mail to Department of Finance & Budget, 150 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or hand delivery to the fourth floor at the same address.
Officials note the proposed budget may undergo substantial changes based on public input received during the hearing and subsequent deliberations. The process ensures transparency, with the document released in March 2026 following earlier budget development milestones.
This hearing forms a key step in the annual budget adoption timeline, enabling community involvement in decisions affecting county services, education, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility in Southern Maryland’s Calvert County.
