FY2026 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets

FY2026 Proposed Budget Strategic Framework Executive Summary

County Executive Jessica Fitzwater is the second County Executive under the Charter form of government adopted by voters in November 2012. County Executive Fitzwater began her term of office in December 2022 and immediately took action to stand up effective and efficient government under the new charter by appointing a TRANSITION TEAM. This group was tasked to identify opportunities, challenges, and actions to ensure a smooth transition to optimal government operations and the delivery of services to citizens. The Transition Team brought together more than 130 dedicated Frederick County residents and leaders in their respective fields, a diversity of experts, stakeholders, and big thinkers, to brainstorm ideas and energize the public. The Transition Team embraced community enthusiasm recognizing that the best ideas come from the people.

The Transition Team included a group of senior advisors and seven working committees focusing on key PRIORITY AREAS : · Economic Development & Jobs · Education & Workforce Development · Government Innovation · Housing & Quality of Life · Public Health & Human Services · Public Safety · Sustainability, Infrastructure & Transportation

To align County divisions and staff with these priority areas, County Executive Fitzwater gathered input and ideas from County Directors about what they could do to move these shared priorities forward from big ideas to reality. The outcome of all these efforts is a STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK that describes our shared vision for the future of Frederick County and sets out the County Executive’s STRATEGIC GOALS AND INITIATIVES . Every County division worked within this outcome-based framework to further establish GOALS , allocate RESOURCES and measure RESULTS . The Transition Team anchored its work in the principles of ACCOUNTABILITY, INCLUSION, and SUSTAINABILITY – values that form the foundation of Executive Fitzwater’s administratio n. These are the principles on which we grow as an organization and serve all Frederick County residents to the best of our ability. Of course, all STRATEGIC GOALS AND INITIATIVES rest on the foundation of good government and are based in honesty, transparency, and public participation.

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