The administrative and finance functions of the Town government are carried out by staff located at the Town Hall. Their duties include general administration, finance, procurement, human resources, and the administrative and legislative support of the Town Commissioners and Planning Commission.
2 Central Avenue
Ridgely, Maryland 21660
Phone: (410) 634-2177
Email: questions@ridgelymd.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
David Crist
Director of Operations
Email David
Stephanie Berkey
Clerk-Treasurer
Email Stephanie
Melissa Leonard
Assistant Clerk Treasurer & Zoning Administrator
Email Melissa
Budget & Taxes
One of the Town Commissioners’ most important responsibilities is adopting the annual budget and setting property tax rates. The Clerk-Treasurer presents a proposed budget to the Commissioners, who may amend it before final approval.
The budget reflects the priorities of the Commissioners, outlining the Town’s plan for the year to deliver services to residents. It includes expenditures for personnel and the purchase of goods and services.
The budget also details expected revenues for the fiscal year, including funds from taxes, fees, grants, and any State revenue. Property taxes make up the largest portion of the Town’s revenue. Each year, the Commissioners review the current property tax rates and may propose adjustments to ensure sufficient revenue for the planned expenditures. Fees, including water and sewer fees, are also adopted each year as part of the budget.
Current Taxes & Fees
Real Property Tax Rates
The Town of Ridgely’s real property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2025 is $0.4656 per $100 of assessed value. The County government collects the Town’s real property taxes on our behalf. Payments are due by October 1st of each year to avoid interest and penalties. Property assessments are determined by the local office of the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation.
Personal Property Tax Rates
The Town of Ridgely’s business personal property tax rate is $1.275 per $100 of assessed value. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation sends billing information to the Town, and then we issue invoices to the businesses. Payments are due within 60 days of the date of the invoice.
Water & Sewer Fees
Water and wastewater fees are based on the type of property and amount of usage. These fees are set by the Commissioners by resolution and are updated periodically to ensure that the fees collected are sufficient to cover the operating and long-term capital costs of the Town’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
Other Fees
Trash
The residential trash fee is $65/quarter and is included in on the quarterly Water & Sewer bills.
Commercial trash fees start at $410/quarter and are assessed based on the specific type of business. Please contact Town Hall for more information.
For information on pickup schedules and bulk trash policies and fees, visit the Public Works page.
Building, Development, and Rental Property Registration Fees
Please see the Planning, Zoning, and Codes Enforcement page
Park Reservation & Special Event Fees
Please visit the Community Life page
Budget Adoption Process
Budget Timeline
| Date | Budget Action |
| January 1 to March 30 | Local organizations and non-profits may submit budget requests |
| March 30 | Deadline for budget requests from outside organizations. |
| April – May | Budget workshops are scheduled as needed (see Events Calendar) |
| May Meeting | Proposed budget and tax rates are introduced |
| June Meeting | Final budget and tax rates are adopted |
| July 1 | New budget goes into effect |
Making a Budget Request
All entities wishing to receive a budget allocation from the Town must complete the form linked below by March 30.
The Town receives many requests from organizations at budget time each year. Each request is carefully reviewed and considered.
Requesters should be prepared to upload written documentation in support of their request, including information on other funding sources/matching funds, a statement of need, and any other material the requester thinks is necessary to help the Commissioners understand and consider the request.
If you are requesting funding, you should plan to attend the April Commissioners’ meetings in order to answer any questions the Commissioners may have.
Budget Documents
Finance & Procurement
The administrative staff at Town Hall oversees the management of all Town revenues and expenditures. They handle invoice processing, payments, bank account management, and the Town’s procurement process.
For inquiries related to accounts payable or receivable, please call (410) 634-2177.
Each year, an independent audit reviews the Town’s expenditures and financial compliance, ensuring accountability and transparency of taxpayer funds. To request copies of these audits, please contact the Town office.
Procurement
Ridgely is committed to procurement processes that ensure the Town receives high quality goods and services at fair prices. For purchases over $10,000, the Town obtains three quotes. Certain larger purchases of goods and services may be done by a competitive bid process. All open bids are posted under this section of the website.
Current Bids
There are currently no open bids. Please check back regularly.
Human Resources
The Town of Ridgely is home to a small, but professional and dedicated staff. Our small size enables us to collaborate closely between departments and functions. We offer competitive salary and benefits.
Questions about human resources functions can be addressed to Assistant Town Clerk-Treasurer Melissa Leonard by contacting Town Hall. Additionally, a copy of the Town’s Personnel Policies can also be obtained by contacting Town Hall.
Current Openings
We do not currently have any open positions, please check back regularly!
Public Information Act Requests
The Town of Ridgely is dedicated to maintaining an open and transparent government. The Town Clerk-Treasurer serves as the primary point of contact for requests made under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).
Please note that not all Town records are available for disclosure. Certain documents, including most personnel records, are exempt. Additionally, requests that require extensive staff time (more than two hours) may incur fees. Most records can be provided electronically for no additional fee. Fees for paper copies of records are $0.25 per page for black and white and $1.00 per page for color.