County Executive John Leopold?s proposed $1.44 billion budget is finding widespread favor in Anne Arundel for its frugality ? “The voters entrusted me to lead and set an example of fiscal discipline,” he said ? but at least one county agency thinks the executive pulled the belt too tight.
Here?s what a few of them are saying:
Public schools
“Across the school system, there is deep concern about the budget and what it means in terms of moving the school system forward,” said Bob Mosier, spokesman for Anne Arundel schools.
“We are $18 million short of what we needed just for negotiated programs with the state and current staff. There?s some very tough cost cutting ahead.”
Public safety
“It?s very good for the police department. Absolutely,” Anne Arundel Police Chief James Teare Sr. said.
“[Leopold] listened to the concerns of his constituents and the residents of the county in allowing additional programs and adding additional bodies to programs to help further the quality service to Anne Arundel.”
And there are no complaints from the fire department, Battalion Chief Michael Cox said.
“We are very happy with the budget,” Cox said. “We believe it?s extremely favorable to the department.”
That new Annapolis Neck Fire Station and those 30 new staff positions were a long time coming, huh?
“Oh my God, yes.”
County Council
“I think the county employees and unions are fairly happy with the budget, and we?vestayed within the property-tax cap,” said C. Edward Middlebrooks, vice chairman of the county council.
“But the council does have some concerns. [Leopold] decimated some of the grant programs, and I hope we can rectify that.
“It?s going to need some tweaking some but overall it?s good,” he said.
WHERE THEY WANT YOUR MONEY TO GO
Anne Arundel residents could see a drop in their property tax rate from 91.8 cents to 89.1 cents per $100 of assessed value.
That means a person who owns a $250,000 house will pay $2,227.50, a decrease of about $492.80.
The income tax will remain the same.
County Executive John Leopold in his proposed fiscal 2008 operating budget, which covers ongoing expenses such as salaries and health care, asked the school board to slash its bureaucracy by 3.5 percent and made $10 million in cuts to county government.
» EDUCATION
Total cost: $1.4 billion
Summary: An 8 percent increase to school board?s budget (the board asked for 18 percent) could add 111.2 new teachers, 45.5 new teacher aides and 56.7 other positions. A 9 percent increase to the community college?s budget could pay for staff raises, higher enrollment and improvements to the college?s technology, safety and capital planning.
» Board of Education
Total ?08 cost: $812.2 million
County residents pay: $542 million
Increase from 2007: $57.7 million
» Community College
Total ?08 cost: $95.6 million
County residents pay: $36 million
Increase from 2007: $7.5 million
» PUBLIC SAFETY
Total cost: $231.7 million
Summary: A 5 percent increase to the police department?s budget could create five new school resource officers and five new positions in the 911 call center. An 8 percent increase could staff 30 new positions at the Annapolis Neck Fire Station, equipment for the station and a health and wellness center.
Police Department
Total ?08 cost: $95.7 million
Increase from 2007: $4.6 million
Fire Department
Total ?08 cost: $96.4 million
Increase from 2007: $7.2 million
Corrections
Total ?08 cost: $39.6 million
Increase from 2007: $1.8 million
» COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Total ?08 cost: $10.8 million
Decrease from 2007: -$180,000
» LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Total ?08 cost: $3.5 million
Increase from 2007: $184,000
» LAND USE
Planning and zoning
Total ?08 cost: $9.9 million
Increase from 2007: $1.3 million
Inspection and permits
Total ?08 cost: $12.1 million
Increase from 2007: $542,300
Public works
Total ?08 cost: $36.6 million
Increase from 2007: $2.1 million
Source: Anne Arundel County Executive
