County Executive Marc Elrich 提出了 a $7.1 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 操作 预算 on Thursday.
This year, he did not propose a tax increase. Last year Elrich 提出了 a 10-cent property tax increase to fund schools. The 县 council, which approves the 预算, cut the increase by more than half and passed a 4.7-cent increase last May.
County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Madaleno said the 预算 includes the largest-ever increase for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that is not tied to a tax increase, but he noted when compared to inflation-adjusted dollars, the per-pupil funding is still not up to the level it was before the great recession. The 预算 proposes $3.3 billion for MCPS. Following the presentation, the Montgomery County 教育 Association issued a 声明 expressing disappointment.
“We are disappointed that County Executive Elrich, a former teacher who as an elected leader has previously been a champion of public education, has 提出了 a 预算 for MCPS that does not honor the Board of 教育’s already insufficient request,” the teachers union stated.
In the 声明, Union President Jennifer Martin said, “We look now to the County Council to remedy this situation by ensuring MCPS has the vital funding it needs to function and flourish.” The 县 council reviews the 预算 and makes potential changes before adopting it, which goes into effect July 1.
For police department funding, the 县 will continue giving signing bonuses to new recruits, and will hire a police recruitment firm to aid staffing efforts. The 县 also plans to launch a new fire camp for girls to help girls consider firefighting careers.
The 预算 proposal includes a $4.4 million increase to the 县’s Board of Elections to support the presidential election, according to the 县.
Elrich said there is a record $169 million to go toward affordable housing, and a record $365 million for climate change and environmental initiatives.
The 预算 funds the launch of the Great Seneca Transit Network.
Free fitness passes for 县 recreation centers will continue to be offered.
在一个 声明 following the 预算 presentation, County Council President Andrew Friedson said, “The Council appreciates the work of the County Executive and his team to develop the Fiscal Year 2025 Recommended Operating Budget. Now we begin our work to create the final 预算 over the next two months. Budgets aren’t simply spending plans; they are moral documents that demonstrate our collective priorities. As we work toward our shared fiscal and policy goals, transparency and accountability will be our governing doctrine.” The council’s public hearings on the 预算 are scheduled for April 8 and April 9.
