The Montgomery County Council essentially approved a $4.4 billion budget Thursday that will force employees to pay more for benefits, while raising property taxes and an assortment of fees on residents to fill a $300 million shortfall.
In a unanimous straw vote, the council signed off on the funding blueprint for next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Among the most contentious measures: Government workers will pay 5 percent more for point of service health care plans, 2 percent more for defined benefit pensions and invest 2 percent more next fiscal year for 401(k)-style arrangements. The council called for school employees to pay 5 percent more into health care plans and reduce pensions to a level that mirrors a state plan passed by the General Assembly.
School officials have criticized the plan — the council funded public schools at $107 million less than requested — saying the budget does not reflect soaring enrollment.
The council also made nearly $25 million worth of restorations to County Executive Ike Leggett’s budget, including more than $2 million for libraries, six school resource officers and 90 percent of funding for volunteer firefighters.
