By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(May 14, 2020) The Berlin mayor and Town Council on Monday read the first reading of the ordinance to adopt next year’s $5.9 million general fund budget.

Unveiled at a work session meeting in April, the financial package proposed for FY 2020/21 is 4 percent less than the current budget, and represents the third decline in the budget over as many years.

According to Financial Director Natalie Saleh, little has changed in the budget draft since it was introduced in the April work session. That excludes two transfers from the sewer and stormwater funds to be allocated to the general fund.

These two departments would be expected to contribute $50,000 from sewer and $25,000 from stormwater.

The public hearing and final vote on the budget are scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 26, the day after Memorial Day. Once again, the meeting will accessible through Facebook Live on the Town of Berlin Facebook page.

Fleetwood recommends residents begin sending in their comments and questions regarding the budget as soon as possible.

Written questions will be accepted to provide the mayor and council the opportunity to review and discuss by noon on the day of the meeting.  Submit the questions via email at info@berlinmd.gov, with M&C Comments as the subject line, or fax to 410-641-2316.

Questions can also be Mailed to Berlin Town Hall, with the subject of the letter M&C Comments to 10 Williams St., Berlin, MD 21811. Mail should be posted no later close of business on the Friday before the meeting to help ensure delivery.

Mail can be dropped off in one of the two drop boxes at Town Hall – one is at the rear of the building behind the stair tower, and the other is at the corner of Bay and Williams Street on the building.