 Thursday, May 26, 2023
The Montgomery County Council has formally approved the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget and the Amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program. My primary goals going into the budget discussions were to ensure our teachers were adequately compensated and that we could provide the necessary public safety resources we need to make our community safe.
This was a very difficult budget as the Council received a proposed operating budget from the County Executive that included an historic 10% property tax increase. That was a non-starter for me and many of my colleagues. However, coming out of the pandemic, I know that the County is faced with some serious gaps in service. In the end, I supported a compromise in the form of a 4.7% property tax increase, which will fully cover our teacher contracts. The FY24 budget will increase necessary funding for police, fire and rescue personnel, libraries, parks, and medical services in the rural areas of District 2. We were also able to fund many programs for our must vulnerable neighbors.
I know that some of you may be disappointed in the end result – some may want more programmatic funding, while others want a lower tax. We’ve heard from quite a few who wanted both! I appreciate all of you who weighed in to share your budgetary priorities. Please stay engaged throughout the year.
As we look forward to FY24, and ultimately to the FY25 budget, we have a lot of work to do. As difficult as this year’s budget was, we will be having the same discussion next year. Please know that I am committed to ensuring that we do not end up with an unwieldy structural deficit in the years to come. The only way out of this downward spiral is to take a very close look at every dime we spend and determine how to more effectively use taxpayer dollars.
You can read my remarks about the budget and watch a video of my remarks from last week's straw vote by clicking the buttons below.
Below are some helpful infographics summarizing both the Operating Budget and the Capital Improvements Program
An overview of the FY24 Operating Budget
An overview of the FY24 Operating Budget (Spanish)
An overview of the FY23-28 CIP
An overview of the FY23-28 CIP (Spanish)
Recognizing Memorial Day
A graphic for Memorial Day
On May 29th, we recognize Memorial Day to honor and remember those who have served.
Here are some of the Memorial Day commemorations scheduled in the county.
- City of Gaithersburg, Flags for Our Heroes
- May 26th through May 30th; formal opening ceremony on May 27th at 11AM
- Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (512 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
- Jewish War Veterans Post 692, Memorial Day Ceremony
- May 28th at 2:30PM
- Bender JCC of Greater Washington (6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852)
- City of Gaithersburg, Memorial Day Observance
- May 30th at 11AM
- Christman Park (304 West Deer Park, Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
- City of Rockville, Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
- May 29th from 9AM - 1PM
- Rockville Town Center Park (131 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD 20850)
- Jewish War Veterans Post 360, American Legion Post 268, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2562
- May 29th at 11AM
- Wheaton Veterans Urban Park (11200 Amherst Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902)
For information on additional events across the region, click here.
The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring the county's fallen heroes with online tributes in the days leading up to Memorial Day. The website honors veterans who were killed in action in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism. Visit the website here.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7940.
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