(4/27) Every year, municipalities review and approve an annual budget that outlines how the local government will both raise and spend money over the next fiscal year. For Emmitsburg, one big component of the budget is the contract with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, which provides the Town with its police force. While many neighboring towns have their own police station and staff, Emmitsburg, like Woodsboro, contracts it’s police coverage out to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

For Fiscal Year 26, the sum of the contract has increased by 8.89% to a total of $383,933. This increase is due to the expected 3% pay increase for uniformed law enforcement for two full-time deputies, fringe benefit costs and uniform cleaning allowance increases.

Town Manager Cathy Willets commented that in FY-23, the Town spent $233,000 on police protection, which then increased by a total of $150,000 in three years. Last year's budget alone saw an 18% increase in cost. Mayor Frank Davis explained, "I think the reason it was so high last year was because it was a contract year and it was a negotiation with the unions, and they got caught up to where they felt they needed to be in salaries," he said.

With such a drastic uptick in cost, Commissioner Cliff Sweeney pointed out that when the Town first started using the Sheriff's Office, they had three full-time officers. "When we first started getting police protection, we got three for the price we have now," he said. "We could almost get four for when we first started."

According to Davis, a study was done in 2024 to see whether it would be more economical for the Town to establish its own force or continue to contract out. "It’s the best deal in Town believe it or not," he said. "With the cost of a building, salaries, equipment, insurance and vehicles, using the Frederick County Sheriff's Office costs less." Davis also mentioned previously contacting Thurmont to see if their police department was interested in an alliance with Emmitsburg. With the amount of money Emmitsburg spends annually, Thurmont could benefit financially and Emmitsburg would gain a 24-hour police service from a much closer distance.

The Council approved the contract with the Sheriff's Office to continue the Town’s police protection for $383,933. Davis did say he would be contacting Thurmont's police department again to see if a deal could be struck.