$5.4B Budget Would Hire More Cops, Boost Montgomery County School Spending

SILVER SPRING, MD — County Executive Ike Leggett released his Recommended FY18 Operating Budget of $5.4 billion for the 2018 fiscal year on Tuesday. (Want more Montgomery County government news? Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook.)

“The hard work of fiscal responsibility is not complete. This budget provides a blueprint for a sustainable and comprehensive fiscal future for the County," Leggett said. "It reflects a balanced approach to meeting the growing needs of our diverse communities and robust business sector while keeping faith with County taxpayers."

The proposal is for the 2018 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Leggett's budget has been given to the County Council, and council members will conduct a series of hearings on the proposal before approval in May.

Under the proposal, Leggett suggests that $2.5 billion should go towards Montgomery County Public Schools, which is $54 million more than the current budget for schools, and $25 million more than the state's legally-required maintenance of effort formula.

"In recognition of the longstanding need within MCPS to address its growing and increasingly diverse population, I recommended, and the Council approved, an increase of $87 million above MOE," Leggett said. "This additional funding has allowed the Board to begin to address the many needs of its approximately 159,000 students."

Montgomery College would receive $309.3 million under this plan.

The plan also outlines Leggett's desire to add 13 new police officer positions to the Montgomery County Police Department. He envisions five of the 13 officers would focus on "suppressing gang activity in Montgomery Village."

Leggett also wants to continue expansion of the enhanced Advanced Life Support service in the Fire and Rescue Service to provide more responsive and efficient means of responding to the growing number of EMS calls.

The budget plan also calls for a boost of services in two major initiatives serving potentially at-risk populations: Positive Youth Development and Vital Living for Seniors. Aditionally, Leggett wants to increase funding by $53 million for the creation and preservation of affordable housing units, amounting to 2.5 percent of the County budget.

Some more highlights of the budget include:

• Approximately $24.1 million to construct and enhance bus transit services on major County routes to support employment opportunities and economic growth
• Adds funds to the Stop, Triage, Engage, Educate, and Rehabilitate (STEER) program to connect people to substance abuse treatment and an intervention program and direct them away from jail
• Retains the energy tax at the level approved by the Council for FY17, preserving a stable and broad-based revenue source that includes federal institutions based in the County that otherwise pay no taxes in exchange for County services

The full budget is available on the County’s website.

Photo: Montgomery Community Media