Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Montgomery County Administrator has presented a preliminary budget in the amount of $285.7 million.
Angie Hill told members of the board of supervisors last week this budget would require a five-cent increase in the county’s property tax to 81 cents per $100. The overall amount is a $14.929 million increase from last year.
Approximately, $190 million of the total would go to the county’s school system. Hill said her proposed budget does not go as far as the school system’s request earlier this month. In order to cover that, she said, the tax rate would have to be increased by 10 cents.
She would not go that far and recommended the lower increase.
“Our community’s population has experienced consistent growth over the past several years. As the county continues to grow, so too does the demand for services that support our citizens,” she said.
“While it is not possible to fund all budget requests each year, I am pleased to present a balanced and financially sound proposed budget for FY 27,” Hill continued. “The proposed budget and tax rate prioritize the most critical needs identified, with a strong emphasis on public education, public safety, and the growing demand for essential citizen services.”
Of the total proposed budget amount, she recommended $190.7 million, 67 percent, be allocated to Montgomery County Public Schools ($160.8 million for school operating; $3.2 million school capital; $7 million for school nutrition funds; and $19.7 million for school debt service). This reflects a $4.1 million increase in county funding. The remaining $95 million (33 percent) would be used to fund public safety; general government administration; judicial administration; general services; health and welfare; parks, recreation, and cultural; community development; and other agencies.
Of the new undesignated revenue, Hill recommended the allocation of 56 percent to public schools, six percent to public safety, and 38 percent to general county functions.
The budget includes a three percent compensation increase for employees, and a possible plan to provide an incentive for volunteers such as firefighters and EMS.
Currently, $1 million is projected in new undesignated revenue for FY 27. The proposed five-cent tax rate increase will provide an additional $6.4 million in new undesignated revenue for a total of $7.4 million. Each one-cent increase in the real estate tax rate generates approximately $1.3 million in additional revenue.
The proposed five-cent real estate tax rate increase provides the additional funding necessary to strategically support identified priorities, including Montgomery County Public Schools, public safety, general county operations, and 51 other agencies that deliver human services, public safety, education, cultural, environmental, and economic development programs throughout our community.
Hill said funding from the Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA) is included in the County’s FY 27 designated funds to support the newly established Utilities Department. This funding facilitates the transition of PSA employees to County Utilities Department employees and results in an increase of $2.4 million in the county’s general fund. While this change increases the overall general fund within the county’s budget, it does not represent an increase in taxpayer dollars, as these costs are fully funded with revenue from the PSA.
Approximately 22.5 new positions were requested, but Hill only recommended six new ones and a part-time position. Those include a director of real estate assessments to handle the new changes in the time by which property will be reassessed. Other positions would be a full-time finance manager, adoption/foster coordinator, solid waste manager, family services specialist and a HVAC technician. The part-time position would be for a building inspector.
“We worked intentionally together throughout the year to bring clarity to the county’s vision and priorities. In addition, both County and MCPS staff members have made adjustments this year to improve coordination, communication and overall budget planning. One example of this is the collaborative budget process calendar and timeline that outlines both key deadlines for the County and public schools,” Hill said.
Supervisors scheduled a joint meeting with the school board for Mar. 16 and then will hold a public hearing to discuss the tax rate, no earlier than its Mar. 23 meeting. The tax rate would be then approved by April 20.
Supervisors also approved a temporary change for the A-3, E-3 and F-3 Precinct Polling places from Squires Student Center to McComas Hall for the April 21, 2026 Special Election only. Construction work at Squires is forcing this move.
Two people, Ken Vaughn and Dr. Kathlee Martinez, were also appointed to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Board.