Despite a projected $160 million surplus, the Baltimore County Council unanimously adopted on Thursday a $2.5 billion budget that maintains current tax rates and significantly cuts post-retirement benefits for future employees.
In its annual budget message, council members said they couldn?t apply minor budget cuts to property and income tax rates, trimmed slightly last year, in light of expected state fundingreductions.
“The cost of government programs can easily be shifted from Annapolis to Towson, but from Towson there is nowhere to transfer the financial burden,” said Councilman Joe Bartenfelder, D-District 6, who delivered the address. “The county cannot gamble that the State of Maryland will address the fiscal crisis that it faces.”
The budget includes $1.7 billion in spending from revenue sources ? a 2.4 increase from last year after the council shaved about $1.6 million from County Executive Jim Smith?s proposed budget. About 44 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to education, including a new 540-student academy for middle and high school students with behavioral problems and funding to expand all-day kindergarten.
The council?s address, however, chastised school officials for refusing to release students? residency records to correct fraudulent enrollment ? calling its policies “easily sidestepped.” School administrators argued earlier this week they are legally prohibited from disclosing records.
“If you won?t let us look at them, at least implement some of our recommendations,” said Councilman Vince Gardina, D-District 5.
Council chair Sam Moxley, who wrote the budget message, said the council?s most difficult budget decision altered the employee retirement system as Smith requested. Thursday the council approved significant post-employment health care reductions and extended the minimum retirement requirements for future county employees. The council will likely grandfather existing and former employees in new legislation next month.
The council also approved a $470 million capital budget, most of which is committed to school projects.
The budget takes affect July 1.
