Fireworks were always planned for July 3 of this year and now the budget for the next fiscal year includes funding for the 2027 event as well.

By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(June 11, 2026) The Berlin Town Council approved its fiscal year 2027 budget Monday night and incorporated an additional $55,000 in county funding to restore money for Independence Day fireworks, sidewalk repairs, and vehicle maintenance.

The approved budget includes a $17.6 million general fund, along with enterprise funds for electric, water, sewer, and stormwater operations.

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the general fund budget remains unchanged from the version introduced in May, with the exception of an additional $55,000 allocation from the Worcester County Commissioners.

“We got $55,000 from Worcester County,” Finance Director Natalie Saleh said. “This will have zero impact on the budget, but the revenues will go up by $55,000.”

Town staff initially recommended placing the county funding into the town’s capital reserve fund to help address equipment needs that were axed during budget discussions.

“The recommendation is to take that funding and move it into capital reserves because if you all remember…the capital items we had, especially in public works, were reduced,” Tyndall said. “Those items are not going away, so the recommendation is to move that into capital, so it makes it more achievable for next year.”

The FY27 budget includes approximately $4 million in prior-year carryover projects and reserve contributions, a $2.8 million public works bond and a $1.2 million Maryland Department of Transportation grant. Total capital projects in the general fund budget are estimated at $8.3 million.

Major initiatives include work on the planned community center, public works facility, Town Hall renovations, street paving, a dump truck purchase, and police vehicles and equipment.

The town’s contribution to fire and emergency medical services will increase to $734,000.

Enterprise fund budgets include $9.1 million for electric operations, $7.3 million for water, $7.2 million for sewer, and $2.6 million for stormwater management.

Councilman Steve Green proposed using a portion of the county funding to restore several items that had been removed during budget work sessions.

Among those items were approximately $12,000 for the town’s annual July 3 fireworks display, $20,000 for a sidewalk cost-sharing program, and $1,500 for public works vehicle maintenance.

“I don’t want 2027 fireworks to be cut,” Green said.

The fireworks were previously eliminated ahead of the 2026 show but reinstated as town officials recognized the importance of commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary. Additionally, the municipality had already paid a portion of the event cost.

Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said that to ensure the fireworks go off in 2027, the full $12,000 cost would have to be included in FY27’s budget.

“It’s the full amount with half going towards the deposit and half going towards the balance,” she said. “…So, if you wanted to add the fireworks back in, you would have to add the full [amount].”

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen explained the sidewalk funding would help residents repair existing sidewalks, which are typically the responsibility of property owners.

“It is not new sidewalks,” Bohlen said. “It is repairs to existing sidewalks which per the town code is the responsibility of the property owner, but this would be a cost-shared program to lessen that burden.”

Council members also discussed Councilman Jack Orris’ suggestions to increase contingency funding through transfers from the town’s health insurance reserve account. Staff advised against the proposal, arguing the reserve serves as a safeguard against significant increases in employee health insurance costs.

“Transfer from health insurance to contingency does not serve a purpose,” Saleh said. “If we have to do something in case of emergency, we will come to our assigned balances and other reserves at that moment.”

Following discussion, the council voted 3-1 to approve the fiscal year 2027 spending plan and use a portion of the $55,000 from the county to restore the fireworks allocation, sidewalk program funding and vehicle maintenance expenses, with the remaining funds directed to capital reserves.

Green, Councilmember Shaneka Nichols, and Orris voted in favor of the motion. Council Vice President Dean Burrell voted in opposition. Councilman Jay Knerr was absent.