Caroline County reviews FY2027 budget; commissioners ask staff to model 2¢ tax‑rate cut

Caroline County commissioners held a FY2027 capital and operating budget workshop on March 17 where Interim Finance Director Stacy Stewart reviewed minor updates since the first public hearing and outlined options for the board to consider.

Stacy Stewart briefed the board that operating changes were modest: a slight increase to the sheriff's operating budget tied to the end of a police‑accountability (PAB) grant and a slight decrease for recreation and parks due to staffing timing. "Last week you held your first public hearing, to take public comment on the budget so far," Stewart told the board, and reported that capital requests now total $10,424,000 (Stacy Stewart).

Tax‑rate option and capital adjustments: President Jay Travis Breeding proposed directing staff to model revenue estimates assuming a 2¢ reduction in the property‑tax rate (from .98 to .96). "How do you feel about directing Stacy to go ahead and reduce it by 2¢ across the board...assuming that we're gonna reduce the tax rate, 2¢ from 98 to 96?" Breeding asked (Jay Travis Breeding). Commissioners agreed to have staff produce a revised spreadsheet showing the effect of that reduction ahead of the May public hearing, noting capital reductions could make the math work.

Specific line items: Commissioners discussed shifting PAB‑related budget lines from the commissioner's office to the Office of Law to consolidate legal and PAB expenses in one department and make the operating picture clearer. Staff also reported a capital vehicle change for the sheriff's fleet (reducing the number of cars and switching some requested vehicles from Tahoes to Durangos) that lowered the capital request.

Timing and procedure: Stewart explained counties need only set the rate by the second public hearing if taxes are lowered and that the deadline for rate setting is immediately prior to the May 5 (or May 10) public hearing schedule; staff said they would return with a revised revenue sheet and line‑by‑line budget review in the next meeting.

What to watch: The board will receive the revised revenue estimates reflecting the 2¢ option and will conduct a detailed line‑by‑line review of operating and capital budgets in a follow‑up meeting before final rate adoption.