Contact: David Weaver, Public Information Director, 301-217-6530
Robert Kendal, Management and Budget Director, 301-217-2789
For Immediate Release: March 15, 1999

Duncan's Operating Budget Emphasizes
Children's Initiatives, Tax Reduction,
Basic Services, Traffic Congestion Relief

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today presented a fiscal year 2000 spending plan that focuses on children, recommending nearly $24 million in new programs and services aimed at "nurturing, developing and protecting" the county's youth. Duncan's budget also provides for additional tax relief and emphasizes basic service enhancements and traffic congestion mitigation efforts.

"Our first budget for the next century must meet the needs of our next generation," said Duncan, in unveiling his budget with a press conference in Rockville. "Our families and community must work together, with shared vision, to protect and ensure basic opportunities for all of our children."

With regard to tax relief, Duncan is calling for a reduction in the local income tax rate from 60 to 58 percent, a decrease in the average property tax rate - to its lowest level since FY94 -- and the elimination of the local excise tax on users of wireless telephones. Collectively, these actions, if approved by the County Council, would return approximately $18.5 million to local taxpayers. Under the Executive's proposal, the average household would realize $58.29 in tax-dollar savings next year and $108.60 when the income tax rate reduction is fully implemented.

"Over the past four fiscal years," Duncan noted, "we have shown that we can hold the line on average tax rates and improve basic services by involving our citizens, drawing on the talents of our employees, and focusing on our most essential priorities. We now have the opportunity - and the responsibility - to return some of our surplus revenues to our taxpayers."

At $2.05 billion, the tax-supported portion of the Executive's budget is up 6 percent from the current fiscal year, or 4.5 percent, excluding one-time expenditures. At $2.6 billion, his recommended total budget is up 6.6 percent, or 5.3 percent, excluding one-time funding.

"A Children's Budget"

Key children's initiatives funded in the Executive's budget include:

• 32 additional staff persons to investigate and process cases of child abuse and neglect and family violence, including 22 new positions for the County's Child Welfare Services office;

• an expansion of the new Center on Domestic Violence, to accommodate housing for victims and their families;

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• a variety of school program enhancements, including the addition of nine new school crossing guards, community health nurses for four new schools, expanded maintenance for indoor air quality in schools, increased funding for the Linkages to Learning program, and added alternative programs for disruptive students;

• support for The Montgomery Babies Initiative, a public-private partnership which focuses on helping to ensure a healthy start for at-risk infants; and
• childcare subsidies for an additional 75 children.

  Middle School Initiatives

  "Because our children begin to make their first independent choices during the middle school years," said Duncan, "we must be sure they have positive alternatives."

  Citing feedback received during the public forums he sponsored last fall on school safety, Duncan is proposing $2.9 million in new investment for middle school activities and programs.

  These efforts include expanding programs to deter children from violence and from using tobacco and other dangerous substances; additional recreational offerings; expanded after-school transportation; summer camps and activities; and ball field upgrades. The Executive is also recommending County funding to leverage the availability of State and private funding for youth centers in Darnestown and Germantown.

  Education

  Education receives 54.3 percent of the County Executive's total recommended budget -- the largest, by far, of any function. Duncan is supporting 99.5 percent of the Board of Education's request, which would give Montgomery County Public Schools a total allocation of $1.106 billion, up 7 percent from its current year budget. His recommendation includes more than $50 million in new local funds and exceeds the State's Maintenance of Effort baseline by $39.9 million.

  With the inclusion of additional State aid, under existing formulas, as well as new Federal and State aid for reducing class size, per-student funding would increase by $359, to $8,448. This would mark the eighth straight year for an increase in per-student spending.

  Montgomery College receives an 11.6 percent overall increase, including an additional $6.7 million in local contribution - a 15.6 percent hike - above the College's Maintenance of Effort level. Included in the funding is $3.8 million in added resources for the College's Information Technology Strategic Plan, bringing the operating and capital budget funding for this initiative to more than $21.7 million over two years.

  Support for Diversity

  In recognition of the county's growing ethnic, cultural and language diversity, Duncan is proposing establishment of a Multicultural Community Center, to be located in Silver Spring. The center would house a New Americans Welcome Center, provide information and referral services, meeting space, programs and events to help both newly arrived and long-time residents of diverse backgrounds.

  "We need to reach out to all groups, to understand their needs and aspirations, to celebrate their heritage and their contributions, and to welcome and support their active participation in our community."

  Duncan's budget also supports numerous initiatives to meet the needs of minorities, including voter outreach programs; new outreach staff in the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Community Affairs, Public Libraries, and for the Board of License Commissioners. It also funds bilingual counseling services by the Commission for Women, increased funding for fair housing enforcement, and a thorough study of the government's Minority, Female and Disabled procurement process.

  Traffic Congestion Reduction

  "Our traffic congestion problems are taking a heavy toll on the quality of life of our residents, on the productivity of our workers and businesses, and on the environment," said Duncan. "While we cannot cure this problem overnight, over the next four years, I intend to make travelling around Montgomery County a much easier task."

  Duncan noted that his recent proposed amendments to the County's six-year Capital Improvements Program, which stepped up work on several road and intersection projects, and the acceleration of a number of State projects, will provide some relief. In addition, his operating budget recommendations include more than $1 million for added Ride On bus services, as well as funding for the new Bethesda Transportation Management District and for lane re-striping efforts intended to improve traffic flow without widening existing roadways.

  Public Safety Improvements

  The Executive's budget includes funding for 22 additional firefighters and paramedics, and for fire and rescue technology improvements. It also proposes funding for seven new civilian positions in the Police Department, which will allow uniformed personnel to return to direct public safety activities. The budget also supports second-year funding for implementation of the personal patrol vehicle program, which equips all eligible officers with take-home cars, increasing the visibility of police on the streets.

  Libraries, Recreation, Parks and the Arts

  Consistent with his first four budgets, Duncan is recommending further increases in library service hours, as well as implementation of a new computer system that will improve service for library patrons.

  The Executive's budget also features more one-time funding for upgrading recreation facilities and equipment and for maintenance needs at various community recreation and senior centers. Funds are also recommended for a series of "Millenium Concerts," including a performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at White Oak, and other special events.

  Duncan said his budget also fulfills his commitment to "double the funding" for operating grants to major arts organizations, through the coordination of the Montgomery County Arts Council. Also, it includes support for ballfield improvements at various schools and parks.

  Economic and Community Development

  "Our economic development strategies are paying off," said Duncan. "Since its inception, effective use of the Economic Development Fund has helped to preserve or attract more than 16,100 jobs and to leverage $380 million of additional private investment in our county."

  To build on these achievements, Duncan said he is recommending another $1 million investment in the Economic Development Fund and another $450,000 for the new Technology Growth Fund, to support the growth of local technology-based firms.

  To ensure the availability of affordable housing for seniors and those on modest or fixed incomes, Duncan recently sent the County Council amendments to the CIP that would add one-time current revenue funds for the Montgomery Housing Initiative fund.

  Health and Human Services

  Savings from the privatization of mental health clinics and other programs is being redirected to other health and human services, such as expanded psychiatric coverage for certain patients, for victim services and for other safety net programs.

  Funding is also recommended to provide residential services to 72 more persons with developmental disabilities; expanded services to protect the homeless; and increased support for seniors.

  The Budget Process

  County Executive Duncan's FY00 operating budget now goes to the County Council for its consideration. The Council will hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget and must approve a final budget by June 1.

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