Glossary

Capital Budget

A plain-English definition of Montgomery County, Maryland's capital budget and how it differs from annual operating spending.

Last updated: 2026-05-19

Independent and unofficial. Source-linked term.

The capital budget is Montgomery County, Maryland’s annual request for capital project appropriations.

In plain English, it is the part of the budget system used for long-term public assets such as buildings, roads, school facilities, parks, major renovations, and other projects that last beyond one fiscal year.

Why It Matters

The capital budget is where a resident should look for project schedules, project costs, and funding plans. It is different from the operating budget, which pays for yearly services and recurring costs.

Common Misunderstanding

A capital budget project is not the same thing as an annual service budget. Building or renovating a facility belongs in the capital budget. Staffing and operating that facility later usually belongs in the operating budget.

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