The County Council will begin its work on County Executive Ike Leggett’s $5.56 billion fiscal 2019 operating budget proposal next week by holding a series of public hearings.
The council expects more than 150 people to testify on the budget, which governs county spending from July 1 to June 30 of next year.
Leggett proposed keeping property taxes steady, but rising assessment rates are expected to increase the average residential property tax bill by about $27 in the budget cycle. His proposal fully funds Montgomery County Public Schools’ $2.59 billion funding request, but cuts government spending by about 0.5 percent.
The hearings will take place at the County Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, on the following dates:
- 7 p.m. on April 10;
- 1:30 and 7 p.m. on April 11; and
- 1:30 and 7 p.m. on April 12
The number of speakers allowed at each public hearing is limited and the council is encouraging people who would like to testify to sign up on the council’s website.
The council is responsible for approving the budget and can make changes to Leggett’s proposal. Council members will review the proposal over the next two months and approve it in late May.
