March 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

As the Maryland General Assembly winds down for the year, those hardest hit by the fiscal year 2026 budget are dealing with hard realities.  Smaller counties in the state have taken the brunt of mandated spending and are now in a budget emergency. County Administrator for Allegany County Jason Bennett said any pay increases for employees are on hold…

   

“The only groups that are getting raises are the union groups who had raises promised in their union contract. I get the same raise that any county employee does. I don’t get dealt any differently, nor should I. As of today we’re proposing no raises for county employees.”

Before any decisions on cutting positions, the county will wait on Maryland to release final budget numbers…

   

“We’re sort of waiting on the dust to settle here to see exactly where we end. If it comes down to we’re eliminating positions, I would much rather keep someone and have them give up a raise for a year than have to eliminate a position or two.”