Staff Recommended Operating and Capital Budget fiscal year 2026
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CALVERT COUNTY, MARYLAND STAFF RECOMMENDED BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2026
Calvert County Government 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 410-535-1600 301-855-1243
Fax: 410-535-1787
www.calvertcountymd.gov
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners 12/20/2022-Dec. 2026
Earl F. “Buddy” Hance
President
At-Large Representative
Todd Ireland
Vice President
At-Large Representative
Mark C. Cox Sr. 2nd District Representative
Catherine M. Grasso
3rd District Representative
Mike Hart 1st District Representative
Contact the Commissioners: 410-535-1600, ext. 2214 Commiss@calvertcountymd.gov
BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT SUPPORT THE CALVERT COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S MISSION STATEMENT:
1. Fiscal Responsibility
2. Public Safety and Safe Neighborhoods
3. Education and Youth Development
4. Land Preservation and Maintaining Rural Character
5. Economic Development
BUDGET TEAM MEMBERS
The budget team is responsible for the development of the annual budget and for working with departments to prepare and administer their budgets throughout the year. They ensure that budget process complies with all applicable laws and public notice requirements.
Bruce Miller Director, Finance & Budget
Mary Andes Acting Deputy Director, Finance & Budget
Elizabeth Richmond Senior Advisor
Kathryn Shymansky Budget Analyst
Benjamin Buchanan Accountant II
TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
As the county prepares for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, we are pleased to present the Staff Recommended Budget. The budget reflects our commitment to responsible fiscal management while addressing the Board of County Commissioner’s (BOCC) priorities that support and sustain our communities.
The Staff Recommended Budget continues to prioritize key areas including education, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, land preservation and investing in our county employees who are responsible for providing the services we rely upon. To that end, the approach emphasizes prudent expenditure management, strategic resource allocation and maintaining reserves to support long-term fiscal sustainability.
This year, the county instituted a new budgeting model, zero-based budgeting (ZBB), requiring expense justification starting from a “zero base.” Unlike traditional budgeting, which often adjusts previous budgets, ZBB requires departments to evaluate and prioritize all expenses, regardless of past budgets. This approach helps allocate resources more efficiently and ensures that funds are used to support BOCC priorities and correlate to the county’s most critical and value-driven activities.
Some key components of the FY 2026 Staff Recommended Budget include:
• A total budget of $402.9 million expenditures which reflects the continued level of service budget provided by all departments and agencies.
• Projected revenues total $387.5 million; however, due to inflationary pressures, they did not keep pace with level of service expenditures which will mean further streamlining of expenditures.
• Anticipated Federal and State level financial cuts passed on to the local jurisdictions to absorb.
• Operational funding for Calvert County Public Schools at $163.8 million equaling the State’s required maintenance of effort funding.
• Strengthening the county’s investment in its employees through salary enhancements and prioritizing competitive compensation.
• $10 million has been allocated to the Department of Public Works, Project Management Division, to fund the county’s road paving program, ensuring safer travel and long-term infrastructure improvements.
As the State continues its budget deliberations, it is anticipated that expenditures traditionally incurred by the State will be transferred to the local counties. Although final amounts are not yet determined, estimated expense increases range from $6 million to $12 million. The federal government is also expected to take similar action. Due to these uncertain realignments at the state and federal levels, the county may need to make significant adjustments during the upcoming budget deliberations.
This budget carefully balances operational needs with available resources, taking into consideration factors such as projected revenue growth, capital improvement needs and ongoing financial commitments. The six year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) continues to prioritize school construction, renovations and systemic repairs, at $89,794,647 million. Ongoing CIP reviews ensure responsiveness to community needs, economic shifts, financial forecasts and commodity costs.
We want to express our sincere appreciation to county departments and agencies for their collaborative efforts in developing this level of service budget recommendation. Their efforts ensure that our financial resources are directed toward the county’s highest priorities. We also extend our gratitude to the BOCC for their leadership and guidance in shaping the county’s fiscal policies.
We look forward to working closely with the Board as we finalize the FY 2026 budget, ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of our growing community while maintaining the fiscal responsibility that defines our county’s financial stewardship.
Sincerely,
Julian M. Willis County Administrator
CALVERT COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
Richard “Ricky” Cox Sheriff 410-535-1600, ext. 2458 Ricky.Cox@calvertcountymd.gov
Novalea Tracy-Soper Treasurer 410-535-1600, ext. 2278 Nova.Tracy-Soper@calvertcountymd.gov
Mark S. Chandlee County Administrative Judge, Circuit Court 410-535-1600, ext. 2785
Andrew S. Rappaport Associate Judge, Circuit Court 410-5351600, ext. 2806
Margaret H. Phipps Register of Wills 410-535-1600, ext. 2254 MPhipps@registers.maryland.gov
Robert H. Harvey, Jr. State’s Attorney 410-535-1600, ext. 2311 Robert.Harvey@calvertcountymd.gov
COURT OFFICIALS
Mark W. Carmean Associate Judge, Circuit Court 410-535-1600, ext. 2262
Kathy P. Smith Clerk of the Court 410-535-1600, ext. 2263 Kathy.Smith@mdcourts.gov
Thomas Pelagatti Chief Judge, Orphan’s Court 410-535-1600, ext. 2256 Tom@tompel.com
Burgess Wood Court Administrator 410-535-1600, ext. 2296 Burgess.Wood@calvertcountymd.gov
COURT OFFICIALS
Justin J. Sasser Family Magistrate 410-535-1600, ext. 2424
CALVERT COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS
Julian M. (Mark) Willis County Administrator 410-535-1600, ext. 2200 Julian.Willis@calvertcountymd.gov
Linda Turner Deputy County Administrator 410-535-1600, ext. 2483 Linda.Turner@calvertcountymd.gov
CALVERT COUNTY DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
Jeff Murray
Director, Calvert Marine Museum 410-535-1600, ext. 36
Jeffrey.Murray@calvertcountymd.gov
Eryn Lowe Director, Communications & Media Relations 410-535-1600, ext. 2474
Eryn.Lowe@calvertcountymd.gov
Jennifer Moreland Director, Community Resources 410-535-1600, ext. 8801
Jennifer.Moreland@calvertcountymd.gov
John Norris County Attorney 410-535-1600, ext. 2291
John.Norris@calvertcountymd.gov
Julie Oberg Director, Economic Development 410-535-1600, ext. 2485
Julie.Oberg@calvertcountymd.gov
Bruce Miller Director, Finance & Budget 410-535-1600, ext. 2836 Bruce.Miller@calvertcountymd.gov
Melanie D. Woodson Director, Human Resources 410-535-1600, ext. 2383
Melanie.Woodson@calvertcountymd.gov
Robert “Bob” Branham Director, Parks & Recreation 410-535-1600, ext. 2673
Robert.Branham@calvertcountymd.gov
Jason Brinkley Director, Planning & Zoning 410-535-1600, ext. 2380
Jason.Brinkley@calvertcountymd.gov
Patrick D. (Dave) McDowell Director, Public Safety 410-535-1600, ext. 2380
Dave.Mcdowell@calvertcountymd.gov
John A. “JR” Cosgrove, Jr. Director, Public Works 410-535-1600, ext. 2568
John.Cosgrove@calvertcountymd.gov
Stephen J. Pereira Director, Technology Services 410-535-1600, ext. 2307
Stephen.Pereira@calvertcountymd.gov
Bruce Wahl
MUNICIPALITY GOVERNMENT
Mayor of the Town of Chesapeake Beach 410-257-2230
BWahl@chesapeakebeachmd.gov
Dr. Samelia Okpodu
Chesapeake Beach Town Administrator 410-257-2230
SOkpodu@chesapeakebeachmd.gov
Cynthia Harris
Deputy Treasurer, Treasurer’s Office 410-535-1600, ext. 2275
Cynthia.Harris@calvertcountymd.gov
Gail I. Hatfield Elections Administrator 410-535-1600, ext. 8830
Gail.Hatfield@calvertcountymd.gov
Jason Leavitt
Soil Conservation District Manager 410-535-1521, ext. 3 Jason.Leavitt@calvertcountymd.gov
AGENCY LIAISONS
Lt. Col. David Payne
Assistant Sheriff, Calvert County 410-535-1600, ext. 2464
David.Payne@calvertcountymd.gov
Major T. D. Reece Detention Center Administrator 410-535-4300
Thomas.Reece@calvertcountymd.gov
Dr. Nimfa Teneza-Mora Calvert County Health Officer 410-535-5400, ext. 305 Nimfa.Teneza-Mora@maryland.gov
Mike Benton Mayor of the Town of North Beach 301-855-0113
MBenton@northbeach.com
Linda Vassallo North Beach Town Administrator 443-646-2421
LVassallo@northbeachmd.org
Dr. Andraé Townsel CCPS Superintendent 443-550-8000 TownselA@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Jana L. Smith-Post BOE President 443-550-8000 SmithPostJ@calvertnet.k12.md.us
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Lisa M. Grenis BOE Vice President 443-550-8000
GrenisL@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Melissa Goshorn BOE Member 443-550-8000
GoshornM@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Carrie Willson Executive Director, Calvert Library 410-535-1521, ext. 3 Carrie.Willson@calvertlibrary.info
Paul Harrison BOE Member 443-550-8000
HarrisonP@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Joseph Marchio BOE Member 443-550-8000
MarchioJ@calvertnet.k12.md.us
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
COUNTY BUDGET AT A GLANCE
Calvert County Government budgets are based on a fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Each fiscal year, Finance & Budget publishes three budget documents for the operating and capital budget:
• The Staff Recommended Operating and Capital Budget;
• The Commissioner’s Operating and Capital Budget; and
• The Adopted Operating and Capital Budget
County leaders and residents both play a part in the budget process. The county is responsible for proposing, refining and adopting the budget each year. Input from county residents is vital to the budget process and public feedback in how services are prioritized and delivered is welcome.
COUNTY BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
The county has received the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 23 years in a row.
The General Fund budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 began July 1, 2024, totaling $387.6 million for expenditures and revenues. This funding focuses on general government, education, public safety, capital investments and maintaining a high level of service to our community.
THIS FY 2026 STAFF RECOMMENDED BUDGET INCLUDES:
Operating funding for Calvert County Public Schools at $163,887,333. The state of Maryland calculates the county’s Maintenance of Effort (MOE) at $163.8 million for FY2026.
$10 million is provided to the Department of Public Works, Project Division, to fund the county’s road paving program.
The six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), totaling $519,989,002, lays out in the county’s FY 2026-2031 capital program. Education (school construction/renovation/systemic repairs) accounts for the most significant category, totaling $146.7 million of the CIP budget. The Enterprise Fund is the next largest group budgeted in the Capital program at about $110,949,382. The Enterprise Fund Projects include Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater/Sewerage.
Real property tax revenue, our largest revenue source, is projected to increase for FY 2026. The reassessment of the district will provide an additional $6 million for FY 2026.
A step increase (i.e., salary increase) for eligible county employees and a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for county employees.
