Survey Opens to Help Shape County Budget
Public Hearing Slated for March 20
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater invites the public to craft their own budget for Frederick County Government using an interactive tool called Balancing Act. The online tool is a fun way for residents to share their funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. In Balancing Act, people can see actual requests for funding and decide which, if any, they would include in the County’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2024. Responses will help to shape the budget Executive Fitzwater proposes.
“During our listening sessions, we heard from people in every district about their funding priorities,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “This survey is another important tool for us to gather feedback from residents. Balancing Act is an interactive way for people to share what they would like to see in Frederick County’s budget.”
To take the Balancing Act survey, go to FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget and click on Balancing Act.
The survey will remain open through 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Results of the survey will be considered along with any comments made at a public hearing, slated for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. There are several ways to participate in the public hearing:
Attend in person
Come to Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick. Parking is available on street or in downtown parking decks. Transit’s fare-free buses also stop nearby. The 51 and 61 Connectors serve Market Street and Church Street, less than two blocks from Winchester Hall, and the 40, 50, 60 Connectors and the Brunswick/Jefferson and Emmitsburg/Thurmont Shuttles operate nearby. American Sign Language interpreters will be on hand. Requests for other interpreters should be made by calling 301-600-1208.
Watch the live broadcast
The public hearing will be broadcast live on FCG TV, and can be viewed on the following platforms:
- Cable Channels 19 and 1085. Closed captioning is available in English and Spanish.
- Web-streamed from FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV. Closed captioning is available in English.
- Web-streamed from FrederickCountyMD.gov/BudgetPublicHearing. Live translations in multiple languages are available from this broadcast, using the “translate” button on that web page.
Listen and comment via phone
To join the meeting by phone, call toll-free 855-925-2801 and enter meeting code 10042. Press *1 to listen to the meeting, press *2 to record a comment for playback during the public hearing, and press *3 to be placed in a queue to speak. You will continue to hear the meeting while you wait for your turn to speak. Comments also may be submitted online at FrederickCountyMD.gov/BudgetPublicHearing.
Anyone needing special accommodations should contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at ADA@FrederickCountyMD.gov, or by calling 301-600-1100, preferably at least three days before the meeting. To request an interpreter at the meeting, please call 301-600-1208.
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