The Charles County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a balanced General Fund budget of $644,157,500 for fiscal year 2027, an 8.2 percent increase over the previous year. The plan maintains current property and income tax rates while aligning with the county’s strategic priorities.
Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II highlighted the collaborative process that shaped the budget.
“Throughout this year’s budget process, we remained focused on listening to our community, making thoughtful decisions, and staying true to our shared priorities,” Collins said. “This adopted budget reflects a balanced approach that invests in our residents, supports important public safety, housing, and accountability efforts—including initiatives such as pretrial services, the rental registry program, and the Office of the Inspector General—and plans responsibly for the future without increasing the tax burden.”
Education remains the largest share of the budget at $280.1 million, or 43.5 percent of the General Fund. Charles County Public Schools receives $255.8 million, exceeding the state’s maintenance of effort requirement by nearly $15.8 million. The allocation supports Blueprint for Maryland’s Future implementation, salary increases, and transportation costs.
The College of Southern Maryland receives $12.8 million, an increase of $655,200. The Charles County Public Library’s budget totals $6.4 million, including $142,200 in additional funding designated by the board to implement the results of the library’s compensation study.
Public safety funding includes a $6.3 million increase for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, bringing its total allocation to $145.2 million, or 22.5 percent of the General Fund budget. The funds support compensation adjustments, new positions, technology enhancements, and capital equipment.
County government operations receive $117.1 million, or 18.2 percent of the budget. Funding includes expanded emergency medical services staffing, new positions to support the new Animal Care Center scheduled to open in fiscal year 2027, the new rental licensing program, facility maintenance, technology improvements, and other enhanced community programs.
Debt service totals $35.8 million, or 5.6 percent of the budget.
The fiscal year 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program budget is $1,139,498,000. It provides funding for county infrastructure, including schools, county buildings, roads, parks, water and sewer facilities, and stormwater management.
Board of Education projects receive $258.2 million, including funding to renovate La Plata High School, construct a new middle school, and make capacity improvements. Transportation projects include road reconstruction, traffic safety improvements, and sidewalk expansion. Public safety and government facilities receive funding for emergency services stations, communications upgrades, and detention center improvements. Parks, recreation, and community amenities, including Waldorf Park development, also receive investments.
Additional allocations from fund balance support pre-trial services, food insecurity programs, agricultural initiatives, a new water and sewer financial payment assistance program, the UMD Incentive Awards Program, the Commissioner Cares Scholarship, equity initiatives, a feasibility study for a multi-generational facility, and an added day of paid leave for county employees.
The real property tax rate remains $1.141 for County Government and $0.064 for Fire and Rescue per $100 of assessed value. The income tax rate of 3.03 percent is unchanged.
The adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget details are available at https://charlescountymd.info/Budget. A detailed summary of the Capital Improvement Program budget is also available online
