The County Executive’s recommended budget was structurally imbalanced, using one- time reserves to pay for ongoing expenses and funded with multiple tax increases. I appreciate that this budget provides $144 million more for schools and fulfills the contracts for our public employees and public safety professionals. However, it still contains tax increases and balloons the structural deficit to nearly $300 million. That isn’t affordable for County taxpayers or for County government. Using one-time resources to pay for ongoing expenses is the definition of unsustainable. It sets up a fiscal cliff with no parachute. Not only will the elimination of the $692 ITOC credit hit every homeowner, a $293 million structural deficit is the equivalent of starting next year, meaning July 1, with a hole equivalent to an 11% property tax hike. 

I’ve said from the outset that I would not support a budget that includes tax increases at a time when our families are facing a cost-of-living crisis. While some have changed their views, I’ve been consistent. Throughout this budget process, and every year prior. 

While I respect my colleagues and truly appreciate their diligent work these last several weeks in extremely challenging circumstances, I can’t support a budget with a tax increase. 

We simply can’t make Montgomery County more affordable if we continue to make it more expensive. And we can’t address our fiscal and economic challenges if we continue to make them worse.