FREDERICK, Md. – People are invited to use an interactive online tool to select which budget requests they would include in Frederick County’s budget for the next fiscal year. County Executive Jan Gardner announced the launch of this year’s budget survey using a tool called Balancing Act as a way to promote open, transparent government.
“How we spend our tax dollars should reflect our community’s priorities,” Executive Gardner said. “Balancing Act gives the public a fun way 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 2023, which begins July 1, 2022. The Budget Office has received more than $70 million in budget appeals from County divisions and allied agencies, excluding any salary increases and $8 million in mandated new spending. To participate in the survey, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget and click on the Balancing Act survey. The survey will remain open through 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17.
Results of the survey will be announced at the County Executive’s public hearing on the budget. That public hearing will take place on Monday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Details on the public hearing will be announced at a future date.