New Video Highlights County Budget Process

Charles County Government has released a new video for residents who wish to learn about the county’s budget process. The video shows how your County Government determines how and where tax payer money is spent. View the budget online video at: https://youtu.be/DC7ZqYVvtes.

Each year, Charles County Government staff, Commissioners, and affiliated agencies work collaboratively to provide recommendations for the General Fund Operating Budget adoption. This effort lasts nine months, and involves reviewing how much general fund money is available and where these funds should be allocated.

Starting in the fall, county analysts begin preparing revenue estimates based on economic data, such as salary amounts, fringe estimates, and spending patterns of county departments.

County analysts send budget recommendations to all the departments in November. Each department is assigned an analyst who works with the director and staff to determine their budget and needs.

Once departmental budgets are decided, the County Administrator reviews the budgets. If there is a deficit, budget cuts are considered. If there is a surplus, the County Administrator will re-evaluate additional requests for next year’s budget.

After the County Administrator approves the departmental budget, the county’s lead budget advisors and all departmental directors present the budget to the Charles County Commissioners for review.

A public hearing is scheduled to provide residents the opportunity to voice their comments. Commissioners consider these comments and adjust the budget as needed. The fiscal 2018 budget public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata).

Once the Commissioners approve the budget, the General Fund Operating Budget is officially adopted on July 1 starting off a new fiscal year for Charles County Government.

Current fiscal 2017 and proposed fiscal 2018 budget information, budget details, infographics, and documents are available online at: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/fas/budget/budget.