FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater invites the public to help shape the County budget by taking a short survey. The online tool asks people identify and rank their top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Each funding category lists descriptions of actual requests that have been submitted to the Budget Office.
“This will be the most challenging budget we’ve faced in nearly two decades,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Federal funds we’ve been promised are on hold. Federal workers’ and contractors’ income is uncertain. And the State is proposing to shift millions of dollars in costs to local governments. This survey will help us to make the most of our scarce resources to meet the needs of our community.”
To take the budget survey, go to FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget and click on the Balancing Act Budget Survey icon. The survey will remain open until 4 p.m. on Friday, March 21. Survey responses will be considered, along with other comments, during a public hearing on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. There are several ways to participate in the upcoming public hearing:
Attend in person. Come to Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick. Parking is available on the street or in downtown parking decks. Transit’s fare-free buses stop nearby. The 51 and 61 Connectors serve Market Street and Church Street, less than two blocks from Winchester Hall. The 40, 50, 60 Connectors and the Brunswick/Jefferson and Emmitsburg/Thurmont Shuttles operate nearby. Watch the live broadcast on FCG TV on cable channels 19 and 1072; streamed from FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV; or streamed from FrederickCountyMD.gov/BudgetPublicHearing,
which offers live translations in multiple languages using the “translate” button on that web page.
Listen and comment via phone. Call toll-free 855-925-2801 and enter meeting code 7515. Press *1 to listen to the meeting.Press *2 to record a comment for playback during the public hearing.Press *3 to be placed in a queue to speak. You will hear the meeting while you wait for your turn to speak. Submit comments online at FrederickCountyMD.gov/BudgetPublicHearing.
American Sign Language interpreters will be on hand for the upcoming public meeting. Requests for other interpreters should be made by calling 301-600-1208. Anyone needing special accommodations should contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at ADA@FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-600-1100, preferably at least three days before the meeting.
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Contact: Hope Morris, ManagerOffice of Communications & Public Engagement301-600-2590