Commissioners again sound alarm on state budget proposal

CUMBERLAND — Allegany County commissioners again sounded the alarm Thursday about Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed state budget, which they say could result in millions in lost revenue for the county.

“The news isn’t good for Allegany County,” county government said in a social media post.

“As it stands, the proposed budget could result in a $5.1 million loss in revenue for our county — jeopardizing essential services that residents rely on.”

Officials outlined their concerns in a letter to Moore, the Western Maryland Delegation and key members of the General Assembly.

“During the FY 2025 budget process, we worked hard to eliminate a $13 million budget deficit — a process that required staff reductions, a hiring freeze, benefit cuts for employees and decreased funding for outside agencies,” reads the letter signed by Commission President Dave Caporale. “Despite these difficult choices, we balanced the budget responsibly without major tax increases. However, it left us with little financial flexibility.”

In the letter, the commissioners say Moore’s proposal, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, “introduces new financial burdens that could significantly reduce our revenue and severely limit our ability to operate.”

Moore released his budget proposal Jan. 15. It includes $2 billion in cuts, part of an attempt to address the state’s looming $3 billion deficit.

County officials said their biggest concern comes from a proposed income tax change that would result in an estimated $3.2 million loss — more than 10% of the county’s income tax revenue.

“While this proposal generates additional revenue for Maryland and many of its largest counties, it disproportionately harms smaller, less affluent counties like ours,” the letter reads. “While we support tax relief for Marylanders, this method unfairly disadvantages the state’s poorest counties.”

Officials also said the loss of $816,053 in a disparity grant from the state used to help financially disadvantaged counties such as Allegany, new county payment obligations of $754,195 for teacher pension costs and a Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation shift that could cost the county an additional $368,000 would further strain the budget.

“Governor Moore has emphasized that “no one will be left behind” in Maryland, and while these impacts may be unintended, the proposed budget structure places a disproportionate strain on Allegany County, making it difficult for us to keep pace with the needs of our community,” the letter reads.

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