DLS briefing: Baltimore County slated to receive about $1.3 billion in state aid for FY27; schools get the largest share

Colin Maloney, a legislative fellow with the Department of Legislative Services, told the Baltimore County delegation that Baltimore County is projected to receive about $1.3 billion in state aid in fiscal 2027, with roughly $1.2 billion counted as direct aid and $135.4 million toward retirement payments. "Baltimore County will receive a total of $1,300,000,000 in state aid in fiscal 2027," Maloney said during the briefing.

The nut of the update: most state support goes to the public school system. DLS reported the county’s public schools would receive about $1.1 billion in direct aid — approximately $11,398 per pupil — a 5.2% per‑pupil increase that slightly outpaces the statewide average. Maloney and his colleagues explained that targeted programs (compensatory aid, concentration of poverty, and education effort adjustment) and local wealth measures drive how that money is distributed.

DLS analysts highlighted several items delegates said they care about. The state’s revised count for free and reduced‑price meals and an extended hold‑harmless provision add about $228.4 million statewide and benefit Baltimore County, though the largest increases are concentrated in Baltimore City, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Maloney noted that a proposed 3% cap on year‑over‑year increases in community college funding (if enacted) would reduce funding to the Community College of Baltimore County by about $2.9 million in FY27. He also warned of a proposal in the budget reconciliation package that would shift 50% of statewide increases in retirement payments for teachers and related staff to local governments; under that change Baltimore County’s share was estimated at about $4.8 million.

On local health departments, DLS explained recent budget language limited growth adjustments to core formula elements, and because Baltimore County staffs its local health department with county employees rather than state personnel, the county benefits — DLS noted a roughly 26.5% increase in that line compared with the prior year. DLS also described changes in the police aid enhancement grants allocation that, using the latest crime data, would reduce Baltimore County’s award by roughly $741,000 compared with previous allocations, and flagged that highway user revenue distributions are projected to revert toward FY24 shares in FY28, a change DLS estimates could translate to roughly a $3.5 million reduction for Baltimore County.

DLS closed by pointing delegates to resources: staff said the DLS website includes per‑program charts, session reports and a summarized briefing for Baltimore County. Valerie Monroe of DLS walked delegates through the relevant pages and offered to provide a local reference guide and direct contact information for follow‑up. "Our best contact person will be Valerie Monroe," DLS staff said when asked who delegates should contact for help navigating the data.

Why this matters: the briefing outlines where state revenue is targeted and how proposed state policy changes could shift costs to local government or change local receipts. Delegates said they would review the DLS materials, request follow‑up where needed, and accepted DLS’s offer to provide contact information and a local reference guide.

The DLS team concluded by offering to follow up with delegates who want additional detail or tailored estimates for specific programs or amendments.