Carroll County commissioners adopted their final budget Tuesday after increasing it by thousands of dollars because of residents? feedback and without increasing property taxes.
“I can?t tell you how many people have stopped to tell me about how they saw [the budget sessions and public hearing] on TV,” said county Budget Director Ted Zaleski.
“I?ve received a lot more e-mails and letters.”
The last time the county raised property taxes was 1995, county spokeswoman Vivian Laxton said.
Among the changes in the proposed budget based on public comments were:
» Additional funding for adding exhibition and rental space to Cockey?s Tavern in Westminster, the birthplace of county government.
» A one-time $25,000 grant for Change Inc.?s Respite Inn, a place where children and adults with developmental disabilities can spend the night to give their families a break from caregiving.
» Funding to heighten security at the Carroll County Regional Airport based on a recommendation from a visiting FBI agent.
Last week, commissioners authorized funding to pay for ambulance staff salaries in Westminster, Lineboro and Sykesville.
In addition, they included money to expand the spill containment area at the county?s septage facility in Westminster. This work is mandated by the Maryland Department of the Environment, Zaleski said.
At a glance:
» Carroll County commissioners adopted a $302 million budget for fiscal 2007, which begins July 1.
» The property tax rate is $1.048 for every $100 of assessed property value. That means a homeowner with a $200,000 property will continue to pay $2,100 a year.
» Approved funding includes $185,000 for the Volunteer Emergency Services Association; $239,000 for the septage facility in Westminster; $350,000 for Cockey?s Tavern in Westminster; and about $700,000 for the Carroll County Regional Airport.
