FREDERICK, Md. – A new online tool allows the public to decide which budget requests they would include in Frederick County’s budget for the next fiscal year. County Executive Jan Gardner today unveiled the tool, called Balancing Act, as a way to promote open, transparent government.
“Balancing Act is an exciting tool that leverages new technology so residents can help to shape the budget,” Executive Gardner said. “How we spend our tax dollars should reflect our community’s priorities. Balancing Act offers a fun way for people to express what they value, and learn about the many difficult decisions that are required to develop the annual budget.”
Balancing Act allows the public to consider specific funding requests and decide how they would allocate limited funds among these requests. The list of requests are actual requests for Fiscal Year 2022, which begins July 1, 2021. The Budget Office has received more than $65 million in budget appeals from County divisions and allied agencies. A short video showing how Balancing Act works can be viewed online at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget and on the Frederick County Government YouTube channel. To participate in the survey, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget and click on the Balancing Act survey. The survey will remain open through the close of business on Friday, March 19.
Results of the survey will be announced at the County Executive’s public hearing on the budget. That public hearing, which will be held virtually, will take place on Monday, March 22, at 7 p.m. The public hearing will be broadcast on FCG TV on cable channels 19 and 1085, and online at https://publicinput.com/L2708. To participate by phone, call 855-925-2801 and enter meeting code 9391.
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