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Budget Action

Monday, May 22, 2023

Dear Friends,

Last week, the Council preliminarily approved a County budget for next fiscal year that reduces the proposed 10% property tax increase to 4.7%, with difficult but necessary decreases that include a 35% reduction in new positions.

The County Executive’s proposed budget required us to balance rising costs to our residents with needed investments to fill critical staffing shortages including in our police department, schools, and emergency call taker center.

In Committee and full Council sessions, I recommended reductions to important services despite real needs because we know we can not afford ongoing expenses funded by one-time revenues – and that we can’t continue to attempt to tax our way out of this issue.

Click image for video of Councilmember Luedtke's remarks

As I stated in my remarks following tentative approval of the budget last week, I’m committed to making the legislative and policy changes needed over the next year to put our County in a more responsible and sustainable fiscal posture.

I will continue to push for greater fiscal responsibility, more efficient and effective delivery of services, and economic growth that allows us to increase revenues without having to increase the burden faced by so many of our residents.  

Local Priorities and Projects

There are many important programs and capital projects in the budget, which is set for formal approval on Thursday. Many were priorities for District 7 residents and communities, and I'm proud of the collaboration with constituents, community organizations, my Council colleagues, the County Executive branch, and our State representatives to support this great work:

The Youth Harm Reduction Initiative will provide $670,000 in additional funding for an impressive group of nonprofits and service providers working in collaboration with our public safety professionals to provide teenagers in Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village with real options, outlets, and opportunities to understand and learn the importance of respecting each other, developing resiliency, and attaining the educational opportunities they deserve.

The Violent Crime Information Center will support our police officers using civilian intelligence analysts to look at weapons data, analyze linkages from crimes here and across the region, and provide real-time information and analysis. This is a valuable $200,000 investment.

We maintained the major renovation schedules for Damascus and Magruder High Schools despite further potential delays because of gaps in the County's capital budget - ensuring these long-needed projects stay on track so our students have the best possible environments in which to learn.

We leveraged state funding for important local projects like the Bowie Mill Bikeway, which has now been accelerated by six months, and The Officer Noah A. Leotta Montgomery County Police Department Olney Satellite Facility. By creating a project in the County budget, the County has formally stepped up to support our state lawmakers and the Olney Chamber of Commerce in building this permanent satellite facility and community building.

I'm committed to the relocation of the MCPS Bus Depot in Shady Grove. It's impossible to realize the full potential of this area promised to the residents of Derwood without relocating the MCPS bus depot. There’s $250,000 in this FY24 capital budget dedicated to finding sites to relocate the buses.

Join Us For a Public Safety Town Hall

7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | June 29 | Sherwood High School

Join me and representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department for a town hall, public safety update, and question and answer session from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 at Sherwood High School. We look forward to taking your questions!