Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith unveiled a conservative $2.4 billion budget Wednesday, proposing heavy spending on school construction and salary increases, while keeping tax rates stable and offering a small tax credit for low-wage residents and those on fixed incomes.
Smith said he resisted the urge to cut the county?s property tax rate ? something other Maryland counties are doing amid the real estate boom ? and offer a modest credit to those who most need it. He presented the budget in the homestretch of his four-year term in Towson.
Nearly half of a proposed $270 million capital budget is dedicated to school improvements, including the renovations of all county middle schools, a project that began last year. Smith also reserved $42 million in the operating budget for the county?s community college and proposed $22 million for teachers? salary increase, but said the total fell about $15 million short of schools? requests.
“It?s not just bricks and mortar ? although there are a lot of bricks and mortar in here ? but it?s also providing the opportunities for people to be the best they can be,” Smith said. “And that?s through education.”
The proposed operating budget is a 9 percent increase from last year?s and includes a $50 million down payment for a new law that requires governments to fund future retiree health and life insurance benefits on an accrual basis at an estimated annual cost of $103 million.
Smith cited the payment as an example of the budget?s fiscal restraint.
“They?re already predicting a fiscal crisis in the state,” he said. “How that will play out is hard to predict, so I?m looking ahead.”
Under the proposed budget, other employees, police officers and firefighters will receive 3 percent raises. Smith designated funds for eight additional police officers for the county?s firearms unit and 13 officers for its community action squad.
The county?s surplus also will be applied to one-time capital projects, like the new Vincent Farm Elementary School in the northeast side of the county, a new library in Perry Hall and community centers in Dundalk and Randallstown.
The County Council will hold a public hearing on the budget April 25 and must adopt a budget by June 1. Members can delete or reduce budget items, but can not add to it.
BUDGET IN BRIEF
» Total budget: $2.4 billion
Increase from 2006: 9.2 percent
» General fund operating budget: $1.6 billion
Increase from 2006: 10 percent
» Board of Education budget: $1.3 billion
Increase from 2006: 9.1 percent
» Total capital budget: $273 million
CAPITAL PROJECTS INCLUDED:
» 15 middle school renovations
» Vincent Farm Elementary construction
» Perry Hall Library construction
» Pikesville Library and Senior Center addition
» Perry Hall Mansion
» Benjamin Banneker Historical Park
» Artificial safety turf at Seminary Park and Catonsville High School
» Jacksonville Park and Community Center
» Eastern Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail
