The budget development process is a critical aspect of Garrett County Government’s financial forecasting and ensures that the County’s resources are allocated appropriately to support the needs of our community.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 begins on July 1, 2023, and runs through June 30, 2024.
This budget development process is several months long with involvement of the internal government departments as well as input from the locally funded outside agencies. First, the internal government departments review the current financial situation, year-to-date performance, and carefully analyze future needs. Then, to complete the process, outside agencies, make their own specific public budget presentations.
Organizations such as the State’s Attorney’s Office, Garrett County Sheriff’s Department, Ruth Enlow Library, Garrett County Health Department, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, and Garrett County Board of Education each make an individual budget presentation per the schedule below. As part of the budget request, each organization reviews the current situation, upcoming mandates, and the case for the budget amounts requested but does not accept public comments.
Generally speaking, the overall County Government budget is as follows:
- Education – over 34%
- Public Works – over 19%
- Public Safety – over 14%
- Capital Improvements – over 13%
- General Government – over 6%
The goal is to balance the budget while considering the uncertainty in our world and state mandates. Each budget cycle comes with challenges. This year, inflation, an uncertain economy, and increasing prices for housing, food, fuel, energy, and essential services are top considerations.
The FY 2024 budget will represent sound and conservative financial management, strategic investments, and enhanced funding of essential services that better the health, safety, and quality of life for the residents of Garrett County.
The budget presentation schedule is as follows (immediately upon conclusion of the public meeting):
March 21, 2023: Garrett County State’s Attorney’s Office and Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County
April 3, 2023: Garrett County Health Department, Garrett County Sheriff’s Department, and Garrett County Board of Education
April 18, 2023: Garrett College and Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Also, please note the Constant Yield Tax hearing will be held May 1, 2023, and the FY2024 budget hearing will be May 23, 2023. Public comments will be accepted after each public hearing.
Lastly, an adoption of the FY 2024 budget is expected to be completed on June 5, 2023.
