County Council Virtual Budget Hearings | May 21st, 2026

The Arundel County Council held virtual budget hearings on May 21, 2026, focusing on the Department of Public Works' fiscal year 2027 budget. The department requested a total budget of approximately $412 million, emphasizing capital improvement program (CIP) optimization to manage a significant increase in projects from 450 in 2016 to 650 in 2026. Key procurement-related discussions included funding for design manual updates, hiring additional engineering managers and a management assistant to improve project oversight and procurement efficiency, and transitioning from third-party construction management inspection contracts to an in-house hybrid model projected to save $3.3 million annually. The council reviewed various capital projects across highways, bridges, solid waste, watershed protection, and water/wastewater infrastructure, including new projects like College Parkway improvements and North County Sewer Diversions. Budget increases were driven by factors such as rising electricity costs, streetlight installations, and regulatory compliance. The council discussed funding mechanisms, including a proposed utility investment fee and capital facility connection charges, to address debt service and infrastructure maintenance. Several motions and budget requests were presented, with council members raising questions about project prioritization, cost management, and long-term infrastructure sustainability. No specific votes were recorded in the transcript, but the department sought council support for the FY27 budget requests.