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April 15, 2026 (Oxford, MD) - As FY27 budget discussions continue, Commissioners want to ensure residents are aware of several key topics under review. Community members are encouraged to stay up to date with the information being shared, stay engaged in the process and support decision-making moving forward.
Some of the key areas of discussion include:
Funding: Ensuring revenues meet or exceed exceed expenses in all funds.
Utility Rates: Ensuring utility rates support water/sewer infrastructure costs by user demand.
Public Safety: Ensuring the Town's public safety needs are met with a focus on maximizing coverage while minimizing costs and risks to the Town.
Moving Forward: Ensuring that the Town builds long-term sustainability that leverages staff time to decrease expenses and maintains critical infrastructure that is vital to residents, businesses and community organizations.
Key Budget Takeaways:
- Oxford is a full-service municipality with (9) nine full time employees, and (1) one part time employee. The Town provides key services such as police, road repair, lighting, refuse collection, water/sewer, billing, permitting, licensing, stormwater management, and support of several citizen led commissions. Staff also manage amenities provided such as parks, beaches, public ramps, boat slips, and moorings,
- The property tax rate remains unchanged at $0.32 per $100, and is lower than many nearby towns.
- The Town imposes no additional personal property taxes on businesses and no utility taxes - setting Oxford apart from neighboring jurisdictions.
- The Town faces rising costs and limited revenue growth, especially due to a small year-round population.
Fiscal Sustainability:
- Both the General Fund and Utility (Enterprise) Fund show annual audited operating deficits over the last five years.
- The Town carries significant infrastructure debt (especially water/sewer), which impacts future budgets.
- Deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure are creating large upcoming capital costs.
Utility Rates:
- Water and sewer systems are not currently generating enough revenue to cover true costs, especially when including:
- Debt payments
- Depreciation
- Capital improvements
A proposed utility rate increase of 15%, still projects a ~$500,000 shortfall. There is discussion ongoing regarding how to structure the rates moving forward.
Public Safety & Stormwater:
Public Safety Options
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Evaluating cost and coverage: Discussions are ongoing related to a resident deputy program in coordination with Talbot County Sheriffs Office (TCSO). This partnership will increase coverage at a lower cost by reducing administrative burdens and liability for the Town. The proposed resident deputy program would employ Oxford PD Sgt. Bobbick as the resident deputy solely for the Town's police coverage with supplemental dedicated coverage provided on an hourly basis through TCSO.
Stormwater Fund ("SMSP")
- The fund is not self-sustaining today (relies on a transfer of real property taxes, which can not fund projects projected)
Strategies:
- Stormwater fees with permits
- Grants to fund major capital stormwater work in FY27
- Discussion of a phased in SMSP fund in future budget years
Revenue Recovery - with a focus on operating revenue
- Reviewing permitting and service fees to ensure applicants cover costs where appropriate.
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Reviewing all services provided to determine where efficiencies can be established. This review includes finding ways to decrease Public Works time spent on non critical tasks so that staff can focus their time on making the needed repairs to critical infrastructure (water, sewer, and stormwater). Services under review include: sticks and twig collection, bulk trash, dumpsters at public ramps, and porta potties.
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