Contact: David Weaver, Public Information Director, 240-777-6530
Robert Kendal, Management and Budget Director, 240-777-2789

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2001

Duncan's Operating Budget Builds on a Solid Foundation of Support
for Education, Transportation and Public Safety

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today presented his $2.7 billion fiscal year 2002 spending plan that builds on a solid foundation of investments, offers efficient and high quality services, and holds the line on taxes. Duncan's seventh annual operating budget continues a tradition of providing quality and value in the services the County provides, supporting education, transportation and public safety.

“Montgomery County’s unprecedented growth during the past six years has positioned us well for the future,” said Duncan. “In this budget, we continue to build on our past success to expand affordable housing, senior citizen programs, pedestrian safety and environmental protection. The current slowdown in the economy, however, is a reminder that we must not engage in spending beyond our means.”

Education

Education remains the County Executive’s top priority, and his budget includes a total of $1.45 billion in education funding for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery College. MCPS receives 98 percent of the Board of Education’s request, or a 7.5 percent increase over FY01 approved spending. Even with a projected enrollment increase of 2,201 students this fall, per pupil spending will continue to grow by $566 to $9,577, the highest level in at least 22 years, when adjusted for inflation.

If the Executive’s budget is approved, education spending in the County will have increased by nearly 60 percent since he first took office, with enrollment increasing 16.7 percent during that same period.

Budget increases maintain the County’s focus on meeting the most pressing educational needs, including expansion of fiscal year 2001 commitments to raise the bar of academic achievement for all students, while reducing the achievement gap of young people heavily impacted by poverty, mobility and language.

This includes prioritizing resources on class size reduction; expansion of all-day kindergarten; expanded opportunities for teacher, principal and support personnel training and professional development; and maintaining employee commitments.

In order to strengthen efforts to close the achievement gap, the Early Childhood Initiative will also be expanded. This school-based effort between the Montgomery County Public Schools, the County government and private sector care providers ensures that children from birth to age five receive the care and services they need to enter school ready to learn.

The successful Linkages to Learning program -- which provides convenient school-based health, mental health and social services programs to students and their families -- will be expanded to fill gaps at several existing Linkages schools and the program will also expand to several additional schools sites.

Funding is also included for additional crossing guards, health staff, and teachers to accommodate the growing enrollment.

In addition, the total Montgomery College budget grows by 6.6 percent. The County’s public education budget represents 61.4 percent of the total tax-supported agency budgets.

Pedestrian Safety

Building on this year’s launch of a public safety campaign, “Drive With Care, Walk With Caution,” the budget includes $1.2 million for interim recommendations made by the Executive-appointed Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

Under the photo red light enforcement program, the number of cameras expands by 15, rotated among 20 additional camera sites, in an effort to deter drivers from speeding through intersections. The budget adds a new pedestrian/bicycle safety coordinator and a traffic analysis staff to assess critical accident data and develop a prevention program. Coordination of public works plans and projects will be enhanced to reduce accidents and increase pedestrian safety. To reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths, $50,000 has been allocated to a comprehensive public education campaign.

Affordable Housing

The FY02 recommended budget more than doubles the funding for the County’s affordable housing program by increasing the Housing Initiative Fund to $15 million to meet the growing demand for a clean and decent place to live. Leveraging the County’s housing investment with public and private funds will provide 1,000 new units and preserve about 1,500 existing units.

In a market where rents are increasing and vacancies are decreasing, more than one quarter of all households in the County -- especially low-income working families -- have trouble affording housing in the community.

The Executive’s proposal to provide a dedicated funding source for affordable housing efforts earmarks 2.5 percent of the County’s property tax to maintain and expand the supply of affordable housing in Montgomery County.

Senior Citizen Programs

The budget adds more than $5.6 million to provide new and expanded services for senior citizens to give them the opportunity to age with dignity and vitality. Anticipated growth in the number of residents who are age 65 or older is expected to increase from 95,000 to 140,000 – or by 47 percent -- during the next 15 years.

New programs designed to meet the special needs of senior citizens include expanded transportation to Senior Centers, nutrition sites, special events and shopping; expanded subsidies for the Call-n-Ride Program; $3 million from the Montgomery Housing Initiative Fund to renovate and construct affordable senior housing; and expanded funds for home delivered meals and other in-home services.

Also included are more senior sports programs; a variety of educational, recreational and health information services; expanded dental services; increased funding for respite care; and increased outreach to ethnically diverse seniors.

Environmental Protection

As part of the County Executive’s Forest Preservation Strategy, this budget will provide for the planting of more than 1,900 new street trees, increase tree maintenance, and set up a $25,000 fund to encourage voluntary tree plantings on private property.

Other environmental initiatives include additional staffing to enforce indoor air quality laws and air pollution statutes; continued stream monitoring to test for toxins; and continued inspections of all stormwater facilities and ponds.

Commercial recycling outreach will be expanded to support the County’s 50 percent recycling goal, and most homeowners will receive at least an 11 percent reduction in their solid waste fees.

Public Safety

Funding to continue strengthening our public safety system is an important component of the FY02 budget. Investment to support Public Safety 2000, the County’s new integrated radio and mobile data communications system, will continue new technology improvements for communications among public safety workers.

The addition of civilian administrative positions will enable four police officers to return to field duties. Other staff increases include the addition of a victim assistance worker at each of the District Police Stations to provide information and services to crime victims; a chemist for DNA analysis to assist investigators with major crimes; two code enforcement inspectors for the Animal Services Division to improve service delivery and reduce response time; staff to open the new Montgomery County Correctional facility in Clarksburg by early 2002; more resources to meet the growing population at the detention center and correctional programs; and new staff in Hyattstown to improve fire and medic unit response times.

The budget strengthens resources to combat domestic violence and sexual assault by adding staff to expedite issuance of restraining orders against people accused of domestic violence; along with full-year funding for a Family Violence Unit manager, an Assistant State’s Attorney, and a legal assistant to enhance prosecution of domestic violence cases. The budget also funds a domestic violence evidence coordinator and two victim assistance workers for a pilot project in the Wheaton/Glenmont Police District.

County funding will be increased for underage alcohol enforcement; an upgraded fingerprint system; police motorcycle replacement; training for the correctional behavioral health initiative to divert mentally ill persons to treatment; and upgraded cardiac treatment technology on medic units, with additional medic units for the Hillandale and Gaithersburg fire stations.

Psychiatric support for child and adolescent victims of crime will be provided, as well as backup psychiatric service at the Crisis Center. In addition, emergency cardiac equipment will be placed in County facilities and all 22 recreation centers.

Transportation

Transit initiatives will continue to offer residents relief from traffic congestion. The budget leverages state funds to expand Ride On bus routes, and provide additional hours of operation and improve service frequency on high volume routes. Local funds will invest in “Smart Card” farebox technology, which allows the Ride On system to be integrated with Metrorail, Metrobus, surrounding jurisdictions’ transit systems, and even parking garages. The Ride On bus replacement program will ensure continued reliable and safe service, and a new contract for small bus service will replace old buses and improve comfort for transit passengers.

People

The budget strengthens services for health care, working families, and the disabled. Access to health care will be expanded, with additional funds going to services at a network of health care “safety net” clinics. A $1 million reserve for mental health services will also be established.

Working families will benefit from the doubling of funding through the County’s Local Earned Income Tax Credit and increases for Rewarding Work initiatives. This includes enhanced health care, job training, and increased rental housing assistance.

The budget creates 29 new beds in residential programs for the mentally ill; funds homeless men’s services; increases interpreter services for the hearing disabled; and leverages federal funds for housing and support services for adults with disabilities.

Neighborhoods

Revitalization efforts in the County will continue through the addition of a Long Branch Revitalization Office in Silver Spring; support for Wheaton revitalization through the creation of an urban crew and corps to beautify common areas and promote safety; and enhancements to parking lot and garage security in Bethesda, Silver Spring and the Wheaton Parking Districts.

New recreation facilities will continue to improve the quality of life for residents. Two new playgrounds accessible to children with disabilities will be constructed, the new Martin Luther King outdoor pool and renovated Bethesda outdoor pool will open, and the addition to the Holiday Park Senior Center will be completed. Maintenance of parks and replacement of critical equipment will enhance existing facilities. New funding will improve safety and increase the number of fields available through continued renovation of elementary and middle school ballfields.

Diversity

During FY02, the Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity will open. The center will serve as a focal point for information referral and exchange, service delivery and community gatherings. A major component will be a ‘New Americans Welcoming Center’.

In addition, seven libraries will expand their foreign language collections and outreach materials in response to the County’s increasing ethnic diversity; programs will continue to identify and meet the unique health needs of the African American and Latino communities; and initiatives will continue to increase cultural diversity within the County government workforce.

Technology

The vision of an electronic government is now reality, enabling residents to conduct County business without ever leaving their homes or offices. Online property tax and parking ticket payments, permit tracking, and recreation class registrations are just a few of the services now offered by eMontgomery with more to follow. The County web site at www.co.mo.md.us is continuously expanding with information about programs and services that enhance daily lives.

Internally, government functions will continue to be automated to increase efficiency and cost savings. A new state-mandated and funded voter registration system will be implemented, and a new interactive voice response system will provide information about voting and elections. During FY02, technology improvements will begin for development of integrated justice and juvenile justice systems.

Taxes

For the seventh year in a row, Duncan is proposing no increase in tax rates. Water and sewer fees are unchanged and solid waste disposal fees are reduced for most homeowners. At $2.7 billion, his recommended total budget is up 7.3 percent, or 6.1 percent excluding one-time funding.

The Budget Process

Duncan’s FY02 operating budget now goes to the County Council for its approval. The Council, which will hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget, must appropriate funding by June 1.

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