• Deep Creek Sewer Sanitary District, $0.09
• Deer Park Water and Sewer Sanitary Districts, $0.15
• Friendsville Sanitary District, $0.09
• Jennings Sewer Sanitary District, $0.17
• Keyser’s Ridge Water Sanitary District $0.24
• Meadow Mountain Sewer Sanitary District, $0.07
• Mountain Lake Park/Loch Lynn Water Sanitary District, $0.05
• Mountain Lake Park/Loch Lynn Sewer Sanitary District, $0.04
The commissioners signed Resolution 2018–4, officially adopting the tax rates and budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
“The budget is probably the most important thing that the commissioners do,” Edwards said. “It’s always very challenging because there’s always a lot of people who want a lot of stuff and funding for different things.”
For example, he noted, the county had to hire several emergency medical services personnel last year because of the decrease in volunteers at rescue squads.
In addition, the schools are always in need of more money.
“We fund the schools through a formula, and that formula typically increases every year,” Edwards said. “So it’s always a challenge.”
He noted the commissioners were able to get through the budget process once again without increasing any taxes.
“We’re very proud of that,” Edwards said.
Education (public schools, Garrett College, Ruth Enlow Library and the county’s scholarship program) makes up the largest expenditure, 42.47 percent, of the new budget at nearly $34.1 million.
Public works accounts for 20 percent of the budget at nearly $16 million.
The rest of the expenditures are as follows:
• Public safety, $12.1 million
• General government, $6.3 million
• Capital, $3.4 million
• Miscellaneous, $2.8 million
• Community health, $2.0 million
• Economic opportunity, $1.7 million
• Economic development $1.6 million
• Public service, $227,299
• Park, recreation and culture, $75,500
The commissioners’ next public meeting is scheduled for July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Swanton Community Center.