Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker plans to chop funding for nearly every county agency and department and cut more than 100 county jobs in his $2.6 billion spending plan for fiscal 2012.
Baker’s proposed budget, announced Monday, eliminates 145 vacant county government positions, cuts funding to nonprofits, and consolidates county office space.
“Virtually across the government, every agency’s funding is going down,” said his budget director, Thomas M. Himler.
The county is facing a $77 million deficit and Himler said the budget — which has to be approved by the County Council — reflects 2008 spending levels.
A hiring freeze will continue for county employees under the proposed budget and employees will not receive cost-of-living adjustments or merit salary increases.
Still, Baker is proposing an increase in law enforcement and education funding. He also has proposed spending $50 million on an economic development investment plan that he says will expand the county’s corporate tax base. The investment, he said, is “directly linked” to K-12 education.
| Also in the budget |
| » Funding for two new positions in the State’s Attorney office, including a deputy state’s attorney |
| » Seven new fire department vehicles, 15 new ambulances and 220 new police cars |
| » $28.2 million for mammograms for low-income women, mental health services in schools and youth shelters |
“That’s the way we’re going to be able to expand and do the additional things in the future from K-12 education to public safety,” Himler said.
Baker proposed giving the school board a one-time jolt of $14 million in additional funding to help deal with its projected $155 million budget gap, a major increase in funding from the county in comparison to recent years. But the school system is still likely to face budget cuts, since it asked for $8 million more from the county and the state is providing less than expected.
School board member Rosalind Johnson, who attended Monday’s budget announcement, chose her words carefully when asked if she was satisfied with the county’s aid. “We’re never completely satisfied,” she said. “Schools require a lot.”
Baker said he’s lobbying for more funding for the schools from the Maryland General Assembly to help close the gap.
The budget does not call for raising taxes.
While projections for property taxes — the county’s largest tax revenue source — are down, the budget says the county is expecting a $4.3 million increase in revenue from fines from its new speed camera program and an increase of $3.3 million due to higher cable franchise fee collections and emergency transport fees.
