Members of the Baltimore County Council are expected today to adopt a budget only slightly modified from the one County Executive Jim Smith proposed last month, adding a small property tax rate reduction and tweaking a credit for seniors and low income residents.
Most department heads were able to talk council members out of major reductions to their budgets and said they see the final product as manageable. Several agencies will see cuts in personnel funding but officials said daily operations will be unaffected.
“It shouldn?t have a huge impact on operations,” said James O?Neill, director of the Department of Corrections.
At hearings last week, council members shaved $32 million in proposed cuts to $15 million and will likely adopt only $6.6 million worth. They also agreed to offer residents a cent and a half cut on the property tax rate, the first since 2001.
The news received mixed reactions from residents, who already benefit from a 4 percent cap on annual assessment increases. Officials estimate the reduction would save the averagehomeowner between $23 and $30 a year.
“I think effort should never be laughed at, but when you’re talking about such a small amount, aren’t there other areas where it would have a bigger impact?” asked Dennis Eckerd, president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association.
Some said that with soaring property assessments, they?d take it.
“It?s better than nothing,” said Jimmy O?Toole, president of the North Point Village Community Association in Dundalk. “I don?t think a cent and a half will curb any of the county services.”
SOME ITEMS SAVED FROM THE CUTTING BOARD
» $15,888 in police ammunition
» $3,456 in educational assistance for Sheriff?s Office
» $53,200 in bus insurance
» $487,847 in Medicare Part B reimbursement for new school retirees
» $42,600 in bonuses for Woodlawn Middle School staff appointments
