Budget includes investments in education, health and human services, and public safety
Annapolis, MD – The Anne Arundel County Council passed Anne Arundel County’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget today with bipartisan support. All seven members of the County Council voted unanimously in favor of the budget.
County Executive Pittman introduced the budget on May 1, 2026, with a theme of “A House In Good Order.” As his final budget presentation as County Executive, the FY27 budget cements the county’s strong fiscal foundation, lowers the property tax rate, and makes critical investments in education, health and human services, and public safety to improve the lives of our residents.
"The process that led to passage of this budget was collaborative, nonpartisan, and driven by our shared desire to enhance the lives of our residents," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "I want to thank the County Council for their partnership over the past eight years. This budget leaves the next administration a solid foundation from which we can truly make Anne Arundel County The Best Place - For All."
“I want to thank my colleagues on the Council for their hard work through this budget cycle. We’ve managed to hold steady on investments in public safety, infrastructure, and public education. I’m proud of the work the Council did on this budget, even in the face of short-sighted budget cuts from the federal government,” said County Council Chair Julie Hummer.
The FY27 budget, now officially adopted, includes a record $73.4 million increase in direct funding for Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), the largest increase in funding for education in county history. This includes funds for:
- A step increase for all AACPS bargaining units plus a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to match other county employee raises
- 26 new special education positions
- $2/hour raise for Teacher Support Assistants
- New field houses at Arundel and Chesapeake High Schools
- A greenhouse and new team room at Southern High School
- Construction of the final three schools in the Old Mill Master Plan
- The next cohort of AACPS feasibility studies, including feasibility studies for Ruth Parker Eason, Arundel Middle School, Riviera Beach Elementary School, Chesapeake Bay Middle School/Bodkin Elementary School, Van Bokkelen Elementary School, and design configuration for Glendale Elementary School
The budget continues to create opportunities for residents who have too often been left behind by expanding health and human services programs to protect our communities from federal threats. These investments include:
- $2 million for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank
- Doubling the funding for the Family Protection Initiative to provide immigrant families with legal assistance and crisis support services
- 5 new Medicaid Navigator positions to help residents keep their healthcare coverage amidst new federal administrative burdens
- Adding 2 new case managers to the Department of Health’s REACH Program to connect uninsured residents with volunteer and discounted medical providers
- Expanding the Department of Health's violence interruption program to Brooklyn Park
- Funding the Turnaround Thursday re-entry coordination program
- Funding for the Housing In Place, Home Our Priority (Hip Hop) Program to assist homeless youth
The FY27 budget continues to grow the county’s public safety agencies based on achievable proposals from county chiefs and directors that directly address the needs of our residents. Key public safety investments include:
- 26 new firefighter positions to staff a new tanker in Jacobsville and a new fire truck in the Annapolis Neck and South County area
- A partnership with the City of Annapolis to jointly fund an EMS pilot program
- 9 new positions for the Police Department, including 6 positions to staff the final daily shift at the Real Time Information Center to provide 24/7 coverage
- Funding to build the new Northern Police Station and the new Arundel, Waugh Chapel, and Jessup Fire Stations
- $150K for a grant program to fund security investments for local nonprofits and faith-based organizations at risk of hate crimes
This budget strikes a balance between delivering the investments our communities and public servants need and providing tax relief for our residents. To support working families, the budget maintains a progressive income tax structure, lowers the property tax rate from 97.7 to 96.8 cents for every $100 of assessed property, and preserves the 2% Homestead Property Tax Credit.
More information on the FY27 budget is available at www.aacounty.org/FY27budget.
