$4.2M Budget Proposal For Baltimore County Supports Schools

Dundalk MD

20 April, 2021

11:07 AM

Description

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The $4.2 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 provides "historic funding" for Baltimore County's public education and provides major investments in key priorities to support the county's ongoing recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. "This budget is an investment in our shared future and a better Baltimore County – with stronger schools, vibrant communities and a thriving economy," Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a news release. "Together we have an opportunity to build on the historic progress we have already made, take bold steps to address longstanding disparities in our communities and plan a thoughtful recovery that will not just rebuild our way of life, but improve it." When Olszewski went before the County Council, he highlighted record investments in education and support for key priorities that he said will move Baltimore County forward. The total proposed operating budget is $4.2 billion. Below are highlights of the fiscal year 2022 budget Olszewski submitted to the Baltimore County Council. Provides record funding for education for the third year in a row. Total proposed education budget is more than $2.05 billion and includes the single largest dollar increase – more than $40 million – over the maintenance of effort in county historyRestores 122 teaching positions originally proposed to be cut due to declining enrollment as a result of the pandemicProvides $67 million towards a new Lansdowne High SchoolProvides $50.8 million in funding to complete Baltimore County's Schools for our Future school construction projectsProvides full funding for step increases and a mid-year Cost-of-Living Adjustment for BCPS staffFreezes in-county tuition at the Community College of Baltimore County for the third year in a rowExpands the College Promise Program, enabling CCBC to accept approximately 500 additional studentsIncreases Early College Access program for county high school studentsSupports creation of the county's first dedicated department of housing and community development to help ensure access to affordable housing, provide housing stability support and develop stronger neighborhoodsExpands small business resource center youth jobs programmingProvides $16 million towards a new fire station and police substation in Sparrows PointProvides an additional $7 million towards the new Wilkens PrecinctProvides $4.5 million toward a second set of turnout gear for firefighters and commercial grade washers for firefightersProvides $1 million towards land acquisition for new career fire station in CatonsvilleCompletes the effort to fully outfit body-worn cameras to remaining law enforcement officersEliminates all overdue fines for Baltimore County Public Library patronsProvides more than $12 million for major senior center projects across Baltimore County, including a $4.6 million expansion of the Woodlawn Senior Center and $3 million for a new dedicated senior center in northern Baltimore CountyAddresses recommendations of the code enforcement work group to fund six additional code enforcement inspectorsProposes a new revolving fund to address blighted propertiesProvides funding to bring back bulk trash pick-up in early 2022Provides $75 million in state and local funding for parks and open space, including leveraging $7 million in state and local funding for development of park at Greens Lane in Randallstown and provides $14.5 million to finish the Sparrows Point Park projectFunding to support the operation of Towson Circulator which is expected to begin service this fallProvides $5.3 million for land preservationProvides $2.4 million for tree planting, maintenance, and equity tree planting across Baltimore CountyContributes $70 million to OPEB—doubling last year's investment to the fund that provides health and life insurance benefits for retired county employeesRetains a 13 percent fund balance-critical for maintaining the county's bond ratingsProvides full funding of steps and increments as well as mid-year cost of living increase for all county employees The County Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget May 27.