Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith?s proposed $220 million capital budget includes significant disparities among each of the county?s seven districts, but lawmakers said they?re not keeping score.
Smith included $43.5 million for district-specific projects such as bridge repairs, new storm drains and libraries, with nearly a third allocated to the first district.
“We look at it and say, ?Who did you p— off?? ” joked Councilman Ken Oliver, a Randallstown Democrat. “But really, it depends on where the needs are.”
The bulk of Smith?s budget, which council members are expected to adopt Thursday, funds countywide and “shared” projects such as land preservation as well as improvements for parks and schools.
Lawmakers said they don?t dwell on a district-by-district analysis, emphasizing the county?s needs take priority.
“They don?t try to equally disperse it,” said Councilman Vince Gardina, a Perry Hall Democrat. “Next time around, I may have more and they may have less. Probably over the long term, it?s close.”
Oliver said his $10.8 million share will fund streetscapes on Patterson Avenue and overdue cosmetic improvements on Rolling Road. Councilman Joe Bartenfelder, a Fullerton Democrat, said funding includes long-awaited restorations to the Windlass Run streambed.
Bartenfelder said a district-by-district analysis presents a “partial picture,” noting many shared projects are actually sewage improvements in his district. “Things like road paving and water and sewer projects aren?t labeled by which district they are going in.”
