I am pleased to transmit to you my Recommended FY26 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). This is the biennial, or second year, of the biennial capital budget. As a result, amendments are limited to project changes that either meet the County's CIP amendment criteria, or that are necessary to address capital or operating budget constraints1.
This biennial budget recommendation totals $5.85 billion, an $83.5 million, or 1.4 percent, decrease from the prior approved CIP. While my recommended CIP continues progress on important projects to advance critical policy goals including education, economic development, transportation, and core infrastructure with limited disruption to previously approved projects despite constrained resources and growing cost pressures, this CIP was not developed without difficult decisions. Some projects are deferred, and I am painfully aware that, without more funding, we are limited in our ability to solve local problems and to build the kind of healthy, just, sustainable, and economically vibrant community we want for our residents.
Overall Fiscal Context
Cost Pressures:
Inflation, labor shortages, and a tight construction market continue to be felt in projects across County government. Cost increases addressed in this recommended budget through funding increases, schedule adjustments or scope changes include Judicial Security Improvements; White Flint Fire Station; ABS Retail Store Refresh; Public Safety Communications Center - Phase II, Electrical Distribution & HVAC Upgrade; Child Care Renovations - Child Care Facility Replacement; Library Refurbishment Level of Effort; Noyes Library for Young Children Rehabilitation and Renovation; Silver Spring Recreation and