Friends,
Today, I proudly introduced a balanced budget that expands opportunities for all students, helps working families make ends meet, and protects our most vulnerable residents.
Our budget makes critical investments in these areas without raising taxes on our residents or businesses.
The county’s budget reflects our values and our commitment to ensuring Frederick County remains a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive. By investing strategically in our schools, our families, and our most vulnerable neighbors without increasing taxes, we are building a stronger and more equitable future for our community.
Expanding Opportunities for Students
Strong schools are my top priority. I know firsthand how important excellent education and dedicated teachers are for children’s development and future opportunities.
That’s why the budget proposes over half a billion dollars for public schools, fully funding the Board of Education’s request for the first time since Frederick County became a charter county. If adopted, education funding will have increased by more than $151 million—nearly 40%—during this term.
We’re also investing $63 million in school construction and renovation to meet the needs of both growing communities and established neighborhoods. This progress is possible thanks to strong partnerships with the County Council, the General Assembly, and Frederick County Public Schools.
We recently broke ground on new schools in Middletown, Yellow Springs, and Linganore Creek. In fact, the new Linganore Creek Elementary School will open this fall – going from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting in less than a year – a record for Maryland school construction.
Renovations at Hillcrest and Twin Ridge Elementary Schools will begin this summer, funded by local property taxes, and we are continuing work on Brunswick High School.
We’re also investing $1 million in a partnership between the County, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College, and others to build a career and technical education program.
Helping People Make Ends Meet
Frederick County, like many places, faces rising costs. This budget focuses on making housing and childcare more affordable for working families.
We’re making progress on housing through a public-private partnership for 150 new units on County-owned property, a housing needs assessment, and a five-point plan that includes building new homes, increasing funding, preserving existing affordable units, updating policies, and dedicating more resources to housing programs.
Our Housing Initiative Fund will support more low-income homebuyers and renters. We will strengthen our focus on affordable housing and increase funds for new senior housing at our Montevue campus.
To improve childcare, the budget introduces a pilot scholarship program for low-income families and plans to convert County properties into childcare facilities.
We propose expanding the senior property tax credit and fully funding programs for the Division of Aging and Independence, including a new senior center in Brunswick.
For Deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors, the budget creates a full-time position at the Maryland Deaf Community Center to improve access and culturally sensitive programming. Partnerships with organizations like the Deaf Community Center help us better serve residents, recognizing that not all challenges should be addressed by government alone.
We are adding a business development specialist to help local agriculture businesses grow and innovate and we are continuing to prioritize agricultural land preservation.
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Residents
We’re investing in a new partnership to launch the Frederick County Family Justice Center, providing coordinated support for families facing domestic violence and other trauma through centralized services. This initiative relies on collaboration with the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, and other key partners.
First responders remain vital to our community. We started building the Green Valley fire station, honored Battalion Chief Josh Laird, and will advance fire and rescue staffing and open the Carroll Manor Fire Station in Adamstown.
We continue to support nonprofits with $1.2 million in Community Partnership Grants, benefiting over 30 organizations focused on housing, health, quality of life, and the arts.
We’re also strengthening support for immigrants by creating an immigrant affairs liaison position and enhancing collaboration with nonprofits and our Immigrant Affairs Commission.
Thank You
These are just the highlights of my proposed budget — a budget that ensures excellent services while continuing to move us toward our vision of a Frederick County where everyone can live, work, and thrive while feeling a strong sense of place and belonging.
I want to thank everyone who participated in our community engagement process by attending a budget town hall, completing our online survey, or sharing your thoughts over the past several months.
I encourage you to continue to make your voice heard as the County Council considers the budget. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Winchester Hall.
It’s been said many times that a budget is the clearest expression of our values. I am proud that this year’s budget reaffirms our unwavering support for our public schools, working families and seniors, and the most vulnerable in our community.
To see the budget and learn more, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.
Sincerely,
Jessica Fitzwater
Frederick County Executive
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