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mh/opbud.pr 96-99 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530
or Robert Kendal, 301-217-2789
DUNCAN BUDGET HOLDS LINE ON TAXES;
GIVES PRIORITY TO SCHOOLS, POLICE
AND LIBRARIES For Immediate Release: March 14, 1996
Continuing the "Renew Montgomery" theme used to highlight his Capital
Improvements Program in January, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan
today released a recommended fiscal year 1997 operating budget which closes a
projected $87 million gap, holds the line on taxes and gives spending
priorities to public schools, police and libraries.
"If we're going to renew our neighborhoods, we must also retool, rethink
and reorganize the daily services that will support those communities now and
in the future," said Duncan.
The $1.698 billion tax-supported portion of the operating budget
(excluding grants and enterprise funds) represents a 2.0 percent increase over
the FY 96 approved budget. The total budget is $1.965 billion.
"This budget represents my continued commitment to enhancing basic
services, without placing an additional tax burden on our residents and
businesses," said Duncan. "It was conceived through reorganization and fiscal
management in trying to meet our most critical needs and improve the value
that our citizens get from their local government."
CONTINUING PRIORITY TO TAX RELIEF
Duncan is recommending holding property tax rates at present levels and
forgoing any increases permitted under the County Charter. He is also
(more)
DUNCAN RECOMMENDS FY97 OPERATING BUDGET 2-2-2-2
recommending no other increases in local taxes, with the exception of the
Hotel/Motel tax to help fund the proposed Conference Center and economic
development initiatives.
SAVINGS FROM COST CONTROL
"Through a major reorganization of County government and prudent fiscal
management, significant cost reductions over the past year have helped retain
and, in some cases, expand services in FY97," said Duncan.
The reorganizations of the County's health and human services and public
works-related functions have produced $4.4 million in savings during the
current fiscal year. Additionally, management of the County's Risk Management
program and employee health benefits will help achieve additional cost
savings, as will numerous actions in other departments.
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
Once again, Duncan is recommending that public schools receive the
largest increase in funding and is supporting more than 99 percent of the
Board of Education's request. The Executive has earmarked $852.2 million in
tax-supported funding for Montgomery County Public Schools, an increase of 3.9
percent -- or $67 per pupil -- over last year's budget. The recommendation,
which meets the State-mandated Maintenance of Effort law, also includes $21
million in new local funds and $11.8 million in new State funding.
Projections call for an increased enrollment of more than 3,500 students in
the 1996-97 school year.
"I know that it is a difficult task, but we must ask the school system
to find additional savings which will not adversely impact the educational
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DUNCAN RECOMMENDS FY97 OPERATING BUDGET 3-3-3-3
program," said Duncan. "As we look ahead, more students are expected within
the foreseeable future, but additional revenues are not."
Montgomery College would also receive an increase of 2.4 percent over
last year's spending levels, totalling $84.9 million. The increase includes
full-year funding for the high-technology building in Germantown, which is set
to open this fall.
"While enrollment growth has been modest, we must help the college
maintain its focus on providing higher education at an affordable price and
providing skilled workers to support our business community," said Duncan.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Three district police stations would receive a mid-year addition of
police officers, under Duncan's budget. Seventeen new police officers would
be added for stations in Germantown, Wheaton-Glenmont and Rockville, to
complete the phase-in of community policing redeployment started in Silver
Spring and Bethesda this year. The recommended police budget, $102 million,
includes funding to ensure sufficient police cars for individual beat officers
and reserve funding for possible continuation of central processing of
arrestees now undergoing a pilot study.
Also in this budget, the Executive is seeking funding for additional
security measures for the Circuit Court.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND RECREATION
Continuing his efforts to restore full public library services, Duncan
is recommending funding to provide for 25 more service hours per week among
small community libraries. The costs associated with the additional hours
-more-
DUNCAN RECOMMENDS FY 97 OPERATING BUDGET 4-4-4-4
would be absorbed through staff adjustments throughout the library system.
Once again, Duncan is recommending funding for community events,
including the Fourth of July celebration in Wheaton, Germantown Independence
Day and First Night Montgomery County, the County's New Year's Eve celebration
in Silver Spring.
WORKFORCE AND COMPENSATION ISSUES
Within the Executive Branch, Duncan is recommending a net reduction of
more than 50 positions. When compared to the County population, the County
Government's workforce would be the smallest in 13 years. The budget includes
full funding for negotiated pay and benefit agreements with County Government
employee unions and for unrepresented workers.
ADDITIONAL BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
In Health and Human Services, Duncan is recommending enhancements in
domestic violence programs and services for senior citizens. The Executive
has also proposed a new service delivery plan for school health nurses, to
ensure equitable coverage of all schools at a lower cost.
Pending Council approval of the Hotel/Motel tax increase, the Executive
is recommending a major expansion of the Office of Economic Development
(which, pending County Council confirmation, would soon become the Department
of Economic Development). The purpose would be to increase marketing and
business recruitment/retention efforts in the County.
In Public Works and Transportation, the Executive has proposed major
service expansions -- using new State aid -- for storm drain maintenance,
-more-
DUNCAN RECOMMENDS FY 97 OPERATING BUDGET 5-5-5-5
roadway patching, and shoulder maintenance for streets and rural rustic roads.
Improvements for snow removal operations are also recommended, with an
increase in the number of snow plow routes and computer technology to improve
route design.
With the reorganization of the Department of Environmental Protection,
the Executive has proposed a significant expansion of public outreach and
education efforts, including air, water and noise pollution, energy, hazardous
waste disposal and composting. In addition, a major initiative to establish a
county-wide stream protection strategy with the Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission is recommended. Duncan is also recommending that the
Department of Environmental Protection take over responsibility for monitoring
the County's incinerator, to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
THE BUDGET PROCESS
By County law, the County Executive must submit a six-year Capital
Improvements Program to the County Council by January 15 and an annual
operating budget by March 15. The County Council must approve both documents
by June 1. The County's new fiscal year begins July 1.
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