Prince George's County, Maryland, USA

Acting County Executive Tara Jackson Unveils $5.4 Billion FY 2026 Proposed Budget

Proposed Budget Prioritizes Fiscal Responsibility While Maintaining Critical Investments for Residents 

LARGO, MD – Today, Acting County Executive Tara Jackson unveiled the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed budget, outlining a strategic approach to addressing a significant budget shortfall while protecting essential services and advancing key priorities for Prince Georgians. The proposed $5.4 billion budget balances fiscal discipline with targeted investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental sustainability. 

“Our County is facing an incredibly challenging budget cycle, driven by increasing state-mandated funding obligations and economic uncertainty at the federal level,” said Acting County Executive Jackson. “However, we have taken a responsible and targeted approach to ensure that essential services remain intact, investments in our communities continue, and our fiscal future remains strong.” 

Prince George’s County faced a budget deficit of $130-$170 million in FY26 due to: 

  • State Cost Shifts: The County’s contribution to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Kirwan) increased by $45 million, bringing the total local share to $954 million. Additional state budget actions may further increase this obligation. 
  • Federal Uncertainty: The County is home to 73,000 federal workers, and mass layoffs could significantly impact local income and property tax revenue. 
  • Revenue Growth Not Keeping Pace with Expenditures: While total revenues are growing by 1 percent, expenditures are rising faster, requiring strategic reductions and financial realignment. 

The proposed budget also assumes an increase in revenue from the Telecommunications Tax and does not assume the loss of revenue from any additional property tax credits. The proposed budget is also only using a small amount of reserve funds for one-time expenses as we hold back reserves due to the uncertainty regarding the potential for additional costs shifts from the state and loss of revenue from the federal government. Despite these challenges, the FY26 proposed budget prioritizes key services while making necessary spending adjustments to maintain fiscal responsibility. 

FY 2026 Budget Highlights 

Education & Youth Development 

  • $2.83 billion for the Board of Education – Includes $969 million from the County, exceeding Kirwan requirements. 
  • $59.6 million in Pre-K investments – Expanding early childhood education. 
  • $143 million for Prince George’s Community College – Supporting workforce development and higher education. 
  • $1 million for the Summer Youth Enrichment Program – Providing job opportunities for young residents. 
  • $42.6 million for Phase Two of the Alternative Construction Finance Program – Delivering eight new schools more efficiently. 

Public Safety & Safe Neighborhoods 

  • $424.3 million for the Prince George’s County Police Department – Funding 110 new recruits and strengthening community policing efforts. 
  • $314 million for Fire & EMS – Funding 95 new recruits and expanding paramedic services. 
  • $63 million for the Office of the Sheriff and $44 million for Homeland Security, enhancing emergency response capabilities. 

Health & Human Services 

  • $143.7 million for Health & Human Services – Includes funding for:  
  • Mental health, addiction, and substance abuse programs ($24.9 million). 
  • Veterans' services, family services, and social services. 
  • $105.7 million for emergency and transitional housing – Supporting the County’s most vulnerable residents. 

Environmental Sustainability & Beautification 

  • $218.6 million for beautification and environmental programs, including:  
  • Street sweeping, litter pickup, and Clear-the-Curb programs. 
  • $218 million for stormwater management projects, helping to mitigate flooding. 
  • Climate Action Plan investments, including tree planting and expanding bike-sharing programs. 

High-Performance Government & Infrastructure 

  • $25.5 million for County government improvements, including:  
  • $2.75 million for animal shelter renovations and $3 million for police station upgrades. 
  • $3.5 million for the permitting and licensing system to streamline services for businesses and homeowners. 
  • Vision Zero pedestrian safety investments to reduce traffic fatalities. 

Economic Development & Housing 

  • $50.5 million for the Department of Public Works and Transportation – Improving roadways and infrastructure. 
  • $34 million for the Central Avenue Connector Trail – Expanding multimodal access for 300,000 residents. 
  • $20.2 million for the Housing Investment Trust Fund – Supporting affordable housing development and preservation. 

“Our budget decisions were guided by feedback from our residents, and we made sure to protect the programs that matter most while remaining fiscally responsible,” said Jackson. “This budget positions Prince George’s County for long-term financial stability while maintaining investments in education, public safety, healthcare, and economic development.” 

The FY 2026 proposed budget has been transmitted to the Prince George’s County Council and must be approved by June 1, 2025, before going into effect on July 1, 2025. 

View the FY 2026 budget at mypgc.us/budget. 

                                                                 ###