Residents can share their thoughts on the $5.1 billion budget proposed by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett during a series of public hearings scheduled next week.
The County Council will hold hearings April 14-16 in the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Residents can weigh in on specific items in the budget or on its general structure.
Leggett has largely held the line on spending increases for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. As proposed, the budget would increase spending by about $70 million or 1.4 percent over this year’s spending. Leggett held off from proposing a property tax hike, despite bleak financial forecasts for the county due to declining tax revenues.
Major items proposed in the budget include a 2 percent wage increase for county employees, money for body cameras for police officers, a proposal to expand the Bethesda Circulator and a change to help the beleaguered Bethesda parking district.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) leaders said the proposed budget fell more than $50 million short of their request and as a result the school system may have to cut 400 employee positions, including 370 school-based positions.
The five budget hearings are scheduled for:
- 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 14
- 1:30 and 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 15
- 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday, April 16
The number of speaker spots is limited, so the council is urging residents to register before the hearings by calling 240-777-7803. The hearings will be broadcast on County Cable Montgomery and on the county’s web site.
