Message from County Executive Pittman
Dear Anne Arundel County Taxpayer,
Budgets are a statement of values and strategy. This budget and the seven that came before it all demonstrate a belief that government matters. Our schools, our public safety, our environment, our health, and the people who live here all benefit when we invest in effective government.
Dear Anne Arundel County Taxpayer,
Budgets are a statement of values and strategy. This budget and the seven that came before it all demonstrate a belief that government matters. Our schools, our public safety, our environment, our health, and the people who live here all benefit when we invest in effective government.
This is my final budget as your County Executive, and my commitment was to remain fiscally disciplined, continue seeking the wisdom of our residents, and prioritize opportunities for those who have too often been left behind.
We entered the budgeting process with the highest bond ratings, the highest reserves, the greatest infrastructure investments, and the strongest workforce this county has ever had. This Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget leaves for the next administration a house in good order, and I’d like to share a few highlights with you.
Investing in our public schools is an investment in our future. That’s why the FY27 budget provides AACPS with a record $73.4 million increase in funding. But it is not just the money that makes the difference, it is the wise investment of money in the people who produce the results. This investment adds 26 special education positions, provides a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and meets all Blueprint requirements.
Public safety is a team effort in Anne Arundel County, and it’s a team we can all be proud of. This budget also makes record investments in public safety, including 26 new firefighter positions to fully staff a new truck and tanker, and 9 new police positions including staff for the final shift of 24/7 coverage at the Real Time Information Center.
We were also able to lower the property tax rate to 96.8 cents per $100 of assessed value – which is .9 cents below the rate we pay today. In addition to keeping our taxes the lowest in central Maryland, our 2% homestead exemption remains in place to ensure any annual increase above that level in your home’s assessed value is not taxed by the county.
The FY27 Proposed Budget leaves my successor and our residents a foundation from which we can truly make Anne Arundel County The Best Place - For All. While paying taxes isn’t optional, I do want to thank you for your investments in our communities. I encourage you to explore our investments in the FY27 budget at aacounty.org/fy27budget.
Sincerely,
Steuart Pittman - County Executive