The Montgomery County Council Thursday morning unanimously approved the overall county’s operating budget for the next year.
The $5 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2015, which begins July 1 and runs until June 30, 2015, is a 3.8 percent increase over the previous year’s budget. Included in the operating budget is $2.28 billion for schools that fully funds the request of Montgomery County Public Schools.
Superintendent Joshua Starr tweeted after the vote, “Thanks to county council and [Council president Craig Rice] for funding our 2015 budget. In 9 years as super, I’ve never had a fully funded budget.”
Other facets of the operating budget include:
- $296.8 million for Montgomery College (7.2 percent increase from previous year)
- $140.3 million for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (5.9 percent increase)
- Raises for county government employees (6.75 percent), police officers (7.35 percent) and firefighters (9.75 percent)
- $37.2 million for libraries (6.7 percent increase)
- $274 million for the police department (5 percent increase); including funding for 31 new officers and two forensic scientists
- $225.2 million for the fire department (3 percent increase), which will fund two full recruit classes.
Although the vote for the overall budget was unanimous, Councilmember Phil Andrews voted against the county government portion because he objected to the size of the pay increases negotiated for employees. Andrews said in a press statement, “I am very concerned that the Council approved pay raises for county employees of 6.75 percent and 9.75 percent for a second consecutive year—excessive raises that County Executive Leggett agreed to with our county unions. County employees work hard, do an excellent job delivering important services, and deserve a pay raise, but the raises need to be reasonable and sustainable, not excessive and unsustainable.”
Council President Craig Rice applauded the budget’s passage, saying in the press release, “I am proud of our work and the collaborative spirit that went into this year’s budget, and that we were able to accomplish much given the resources available.”
The council also approved $4.45 billion of spending for the 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program.
