06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 08:17
News Release # 2025-062
Thursday, June 12, 2025
On Tuesday, May 20, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a balanced General Fund budget of $595,081,500, an increase of 6.0 percent over last year. The approved budget does not increase the current property or income tax rate and aligns with the Commissioners' strategic priorities.
"Despite facing one of the most challenging fiscal years in recent memory-brought on by shifting responsibilities and rising costs passed down from federal and state levels-Charles County remained steadfast in our commitment to the community," Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II, Esq. said. "The FY2026 budget reflects our resolve to invest in what matters most: we are opening a new elementary school, expanding emergency services, implementing weekly recycling pickup, and sustaining core services across government. These investments ensure we continue moving forward together, responsibly and equitably."
Budget Highlights
The General Fund budget funds the ongoing costs of government and includes:
Other items of note included in the adopted budget are the change from bi-weekly to weekly recycling collection starting in FY2026, funding from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund to support the Charles County Charitable Trust and aging programs in Waldorf, and funds the mandated State of Maryland cost shifts for teacher pension, CSM retirement costs, and increase cost share to support the State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT).
The fiscal year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget is $1.02 billion. It provides for county infrastructure, including schools, county buildings, roads, parks, water and sewer facilities, and stormwater management. A detailed summary of the CIP budget is located here.
The real property tax rate is maintained at $1.141 for County Government and $0.064 for Fire and Rescue per $100 of assessed value. The income tax rate of 3.03 percent remains unchanged.
Following a work session on June 10, Commissioners passed Proposed Bill 2025-04: Revisions to Recordation Tax. The bill increases the recordation tax by $2 per $500, making the new rate $7 per $500, for home sales or recorded titles. The recordation tax does not impact county-wide property or income taxes. The increase was approved to raise additional funds to support the County's fiscal year 2026 funding towards Charles County Public Schools and provides a funding source for affordable housing initiatives without impacting renters or non-transacting homeowners. The adopted fiscal 2026 budget details are available online.
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