Fitzwater seeks more input on fiscal year 2026 budget in public hearing, online survey
Frederick County residents have two more opportunities to share input on the operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026 before County Executive Jessica Fitzwater finalizes her proposal next month.
On March 19 at 7 p.m., Fitzwater plans to host a public hearing on the fiscal 2026 budget. The hearing will be at Winchester Hall in Frederick, with parking available on-street or in downtown garages.
American Sign Language interpreters will be on hand, and interpreters for other languages can be requested by calling 301-600-1208.
For those who cannot attend in person, the public hearing will be broadcast on cable channels 19 and 1072.
The public hearing will be live streamed at FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV and at FrederickCountyMD.gov/BudgetPublicHearing. The latter has a live translation feature for multiple languages and can be used to submit online comments.
People can also listen to the public hearing and comment via phone by calling 855-925-2801 and entering meeting code 7515.
Ahead of the public hearing, people can share their priorities on the fiscal year 2026 budget by filling out the Balancing Act survey available at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.
Under the county code, the county executive is required to submit a proposed budget to the County Council on or before April 15 of each year.
The council then has until May 31 to adopt the proposed budget with any amendments. The new budget takes effect on July 1.
— Ceoli Jacoby
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