Budget Worksession - Monday, May 11, 2026

The City of Bowie, MD held its fifth budget work session on May 11, 2026, focusing extensively on the water and sewer enterprise fund and general fund budget considerations. City staff presented a detailed overview of the water and sewer budget, highlighting a significant increase to $24.88 million for fiscal year 2027, driven largely by capital improvement projects including water plant upgrades, wastewater treatment plant enhancements, and sewer main rehabilitation. The council discussed financing strategies, including borrowing and rate increases, to support these infrastructure investments. Additionally, the council reviewed potential budget reductions in general fund contractual services and personnel attrition savings, aiming to balance fiscal responsibility with service delivery. Several budget objectives were proposed, including economic development initiatives, IT system modernization, and human resources succession planning. The council also considered operational improvements such as enhanced water flushing schedules and billing automation. No final votes were recorded, but the council planned to continue deliberations and potentially adopt budget amendments in future sessions.