Tax Decision Made, Teacher Pay Uncertain As Baltimore County Passes Budget

TOWSON, MD — The Baltimore County Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the $4.8 billion fiscal year 2026 budget, which funds new school construction and does not raise taxes. The budget, however, leaves questions about previously promised teacher pay raises.

The Council's only change to the budget proposal was striking $6.6 million to renovate the Rocky Point Golf Course clubhouse in Essex, WYPR and The Baltimore Sun both reported.

Democrat County Executive Kathy Klausmeier's no-frills budget came as the state faced a $3 billion deficit and shifted costs back to the counties. Federal funding uncertainty also made it difficult to project how many grants the county would receive from Washington.

"Indeed, the actions of the federal government over the past four months have been intentional," County Council Chair Mike Ertel (D-Towson) said, according to The Sun. "At the state level, the former administration blames the current one and the current administration blames the former one for decisions that have led to budget deficits."

Klausmeier thanked her "partners on the County Council for their dedication to our residents and communities, as well as their commitment to fiscal responsibility."

"This uncertain budget season has presented unique challenges, and I am proud Baltimore County is working to overcome these challenges with a responsible, commonsense budget that delivers uninterrupted County services without raising taxes for our residents," she said in a statement after the budget passed. "I look forward to continued collaboration with our state and local partners so we can continue to make progress for our residents while investing in the long-term success of Baltimore County."

Klausmeier has said for months that she couldn't fully fund Baltimore County Public Schools' lofty budget request. BCPS's request was inflated partially by a previously set three-year, $56 million plan to raise employee salaries.

Superintendent Myriam Rogers said BCPS would have to renegotiate those already set contracts to offset its deficit, which has already caused a hiring freeze and layoffs of central office staff.

BCPS confirmed that it will receive "additional funds ... for employee compensation," Rogers said earlier this month. Rogers didn't say where the money came from or how much it will receive, but she is "cautiously optimistic that we will be able to further decrease the gap and finalize the FY26 operating budget."

Klausmeier increased funding by 3.5% over maintenance of effort, the state-mandated minimum spending per student. That's still 6.5% less than what BCPS had requested.

"I hope our message to BCPS is clear — that it needs to find the funding to honor the expected salary increases to the greatest extent it can," Ertel said, according to The Sun.

The budget still funds a new Dulaney High School and a like-new Towson High School.

The passed budget means the Essex Police Precinct will be replaced, and Sparrows Point will get a new fire station. The North County and Jacksonville Senior Centers will also be completed, while Randallstown will get a new library and recreation center.

The spending plan, which starts this July 1, also funds inflation-driven salary increases for county employees. Firefighters and police officers will get a 3% bump. Other county employees will collect 2%.

"Despite the party differences, we were able to work together and resolve all these issues," Council Member Wade Kach (R-Timonium) said, according to WYPR.

Related:

• 'Reckless' Federal Cuts Would Squeeze Already Tight School Budget
• Baltimore County Schools Cutting, Reassigning Staff Amid Deficit
• Teacher Pay Raises At Risk As Baltimore County Schools Renegotiate
• Will Taxes Rise In Baltimore County? Klausmeier Unveils Spending Plan
• Schools Request Bigger Budget, But Baltimore County Can't Afford It
• BCPS Budget Cuts Possible, Baltimore County Faces Tough Choices: Report
• BCPS Short $20M In Budget Proposal, Job Cuts Also Planned: Reports