The D.C. Council Tuesday adopted the District’s $9 billion fiscal 2007 budget, but not before adding 100 new police officers to mollify crime-weary citizens and raising taxes for thousands of homebuyers to finance a throng of new initiatives.
The most contentious battle concerned the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Mayor Anthony Williams proposed a $20 million increase for the administration, long criticized for poor care by legislators and the mental health community.
Council Member Adrian Fenty, a candidate for mayor, reduced the increase in his human services committee by $15 million.
On Tuesday, Ward 5 Council Member Vincent Orange, another mayoral candidate, proposed restoring the $15 million. But Fenty wouldn’t have it.
The council tabled Orange’s amendment by a 10-3 vote.
“If MRDDA is going to run their agency as badly as they run it, and this council is just going to give them the $15 million, then shame on this council,” Fenty said.
The balanced spending plan includes $1.5 billion for schools, $2.7 billion for human services, $837 million for public safety and $375 for public works.
It funds more than 34,000 full-time-equivalent employees — one for every 14 residents.
Despite strong evidence of a slowing housing market, the council will bank on commercial and residential purchases to finance a slate of priorities, raising both deed recordation and transfer taxes from 1.1 percent to 1.45 percent.
The increase will jack up the closing cost on a $500,000 home by $3,500, though homes bought for $400,000 or less are exempt.
The estimated $80 million in new revenue will fund 100 new police officers, rent supplements, affordable housing programs, homeless initiatives and a slate of nonprofit earmarks.
More on the budget
» Continues tax parity, reducing income taxes for lower income earners
» Fully funds $100 million school modernization program
» Commits $12 million for youth jobs
» Puts nearly $30 million into replacing Oak Hill juvenile detention center
