SALISBURY, MD – Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano has submitted her proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to the County Council for review. The budget includes a significant reduction in the property tax rate, dropping it from $0.84 to $0.80 per $100 of assessed value. This move is expected to reduce the tax burden on county residents by $3 million. In addition to the tax cut, Giordano’s proposal includes full funding for the Wicomico County Board of Education’s request of $55 million. The budget also allocates money for raises for county staff and provides funds for infrastructure improvements, public safety investments, and upgrades to parks and recreation facilities.
The estimated general revenue for FY26 is $216.8 million, which represents a 5.3% increase from the previous year. Giordano emphasized that the budget reflects the county’s commitment to both fiscal responsibility and long-term investments in key areas such as education and public services. She expressed confidence that the proposed budget would help ensure a prosperous future for Wicomico County, even amid challenging financial conditions at the state level. The budget will be reviewed by the County Council, which will hold public hearings before any final decisions are made. The full budget will be available once it is approved by the Council, and it will take effect on July 1, 2025, marking the start of the new fiscal year.
