Queen Anne’s County Commissioners Release 2025 County Budget

Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have released their proposed FY 2025 County Budget. The proposed operating budget is $191.2 million which is a 4.1% increase over last year. The proposed FY 2025 capital budget comes in at $45 million and the six-year capital projects plan for all County Agencies and the Board of Education is $331 million. A summary of the proposed FY 2025 budget has been mailed to residents and is also available in greater detail here https://www.qac.org/DocumentCenter/View/20061/FY25—County-Commissioners-Proposed-Budget—May-1-2024pdf

The County Commissioners have arrived at a balanced budget without any tax increases. The property tax rate will be remaining the same as the last two years, which is $0.83 per $100 of taxable assessed value. Similarly, the income tax rate of 3.2 percent will also remain constant.  The County Commissioners are pleased to be able to achieve this budget while providing excellent services, a highly rated school system while maintaining our AAA bond rating.

All Maryland counties are facing increases in school funding over the next several years resulting from directives to increase minimum salaries for teachers prescribed by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Our commitment and prior contributions leave Queen Anne’s County well positioned to continue support of our outstanding public education system.

Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights – Board of Education Public School Funding:

• $73,885,219 million which is $5.8 million above the enrollment-based maintenance of effort (MOE) certification level and equates to a 7.3% higher allocation than last year.
• Board of Education comprises 42% of the total county operating budget and 52% of the total capital budget.

Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights – Enhancements:

• Funding for Local Volunteer Fire and Ambulatory providers.
• Funding support for Chesapeake College and Public Libraries.
• Return of the Public Housing Authority as a County Government department.
• Funding for critical staff and employee recruitment and retention.

Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights – Capital Budget:

• $14.4 million in Board of Education projects.
• $9.4 million for local roadway and bridge system preservation projects.
• $1.9 million for Information Technology and expansion of Broadband Services.
• $1.3 million towards the University of Maryland Medical Systems Regional Hospital.
• $1.5 million for Emergency Services equipment.
• $2.8 million for Parks Projects including trail development & Rec Center planning.
• $1.0 million in repairs and renovations to the five public housing complexes.

Residents are encouraged to review the budget and participate in the budget process by attending upcoming Public Hearings. Public comment can be made in person, virtually, or by emailing [email protected]. For emails, please identify that your comments are for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the subject line. The final adoption of the budget is scheduled on or before June 11, 2024.

Budget Hearing Dates, Times and Locations:

May 20, 2024 @ 7:00 PM
Kent Island Library
200 Library Circle
Stevensville, MD

May 21, 2024 @ 7:00 PM
Liberty Building
107 North Liberty Street
Centreville, MD

May 22, 2024 @ 7:00 PM
Sudlersville Middle School
600 Charles Street
Sudlersville, MD

 

All public sessions will be broadcasted live on QACTV YouTube, QACTV Facebook, and on Breezeline Channel 7 or 507 or by visiting www.qac.org/live