Montgomery County Introduces $420 Million Budget For 2019

NORRISTOWN, PA —Montgomery County has proposed its new $420 million budget for 2019, the County Commissioners announced last week.

The budget, which includes no tax increases, targets several key areas, including the opioid epidemic, funding for the county college, and improvements on county-owned roads and bridges.

Specifically, the county will use part of the budget to build off of a $500,000 federal and state grant to fight the opioid crisis. Other health items getting funding include the STOP Grant program to fight school violence, a project to "fight drugs with data," and more.

In a statement, Commissioners also pointed towards the county's strong bond rating, which allows them to borrow money at lowest interest rates possible to keep debt low.

The county says it's bond rating is so high because of their significant reserve fund of $88.5 million, which accounts for 21.1 percent of the entire budget.

The budget is available for public review at both the Norristown Public Library and the Board of Commissioners office. Two public hearings to address the budget will be held on Nov. 29. at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Commissioner's board room on the 8th floor of One Montgomery Plaza. Any public comments will be considered before the budget is voted on at the Dec. 13 meeting.

The full budget can be read here.

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