PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS $4.09 BILLION FY 19 BUDGET
In one of its most important duties, the Prince George’s
County Council adopted a $4.09 billion balanced County Budget for Fiscal Year
2019 on Thursday, May 24. The FY 2019
County Budget becomes effective with the new Fiscal Year which begins July 1,
2018.
Chair Glaros offered remarks following the Council’s formal
action on the budget on Tuesday recognizing the active involvement of Prince
George’s County residents during the budget process.
Overall,
64% of the FY 2019 Budget, over $2 billion, has been appropriated for
education, which fully funds the budget requested by the Prince George’s County
Board of Education and exceeds the state-mandated Maintenance of Effort. The
Council has increased investments in PGCPS by over $133 million since FY 2015. Additional
education funding enhances library security measures and expands the Prince
George’s Community College COAST program, which provides special academic
counselors in high schools for students who need remedial help following
graduation.
The spending plan continues to restore recession-related
funding cuts to the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) to support road and sidewalk repair; the
improvement of County maintenance of medians, and trimming street trees to
sustain and enhance the health, safety, social and economic well-being of our
community.
To support critical redevelopment and
revitalization in our communities, the 2019 County Budget includes full funding
to rebuild the Tucker Road Ice Rink; $250,000 to the Redevelopment Authority
for Northern Gateway revitalization; and $200,000 to support businesses
affected by Purple Line construction. There is Capital improvement funding for
Suitland and Glenarden revitalization projects as well as numerous other
projects. Funding is also being provided to the Small Business Development
Center to address impacted businesses along the Purple Line.
The Council will continue its
commitment to affordable housing with $2.5 million dollars in Gap Financing for
new workforce housing and senior housing projects, and strengthen its social
safety net of services by funding several additional ongoing Council
initiatives addressing health care, telehealth, domestic violence, Federally
Qualified Health Centers, nonprofits and immigrant services.
Chair Glaros addressed the importance
of adopting a spending plan that celebrates the best of Prince George’s County.
“With the adoption of this budget, we
celebrate our County’s growth, and our commitment to sound and responsible
fiscal management. We can be proud of the collaborative and progressive work we
have achieved together. We can look forward to a sustainable financial future.
We are committing to a stronger, better Prince George’s County where people
want to build, live, raise families, work, worship, start businesses and play.
We are, together, strengthening our communities.”
In Bi-County budget action earlier this
month, lawmakers from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties unanimously
adopted the FY 19 Operating and Capital budgets for the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission (WSSC); the Bi-County portion of the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC); and the Washington Suburban
Transit Commission (WSTC). Both Councils approved the WSSC FY 2019 Operating
and Capital budgets of $1.4 billion. The new budget includes a 4.5-percent rate
increase for water and sewer customers.
LINKS:
Council Budget Portal
Visit to view the FY 2019 Budget
Ordinance.
CR-032-2018
COUNCIL ADOPTS LEGISLATION ADDRESSING SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND
RENOVATION
The Prince George’s County Council, during the budget
adoption session on Thursday, May 24, adopted Council Resolution CR-33-2018 establishing a
Public Private Partnership Alternative Financing School Infrastructure Work
Group, to explore a Public Private Partnership (P3) concept for school
construction and replacement projects in Prince George’s County.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COUNCIL MEMBER KAREN R. TOLES RECEIVES SHEILA STEWART SERVICE AWARD
Prince George’s County Council Member Karen R. Toles (D) –
District 7, is the honored recipient of this year’s “Sheila Stewart Service
Award,” presented by 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County. She accepted the tribute, which recognizes
meritorious service contributions in Prince George’s County, during the
chapter’s 7th Annual Community Brunch, “Empowering Voices of Our Youth,” on
Saturday, May 19, 2018. The 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County event was
hosted by award-winning journalist Roland S. Martin.
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COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA C. HARRISON RECEIVES THE PATHWAYS AND
BRIDGEBUILDERS AWARD
Prince George’s County Council Member Andrea C. Harrison (D)
- District 5, was honored by End Time
Harvest Ministries and the Port Towns Youth Council on Wednesday, May 23,
2018. The award was presented during
the 2018 Port Towns Youth Council and Pathways to Career Success Program and
Scholarship Banquet, End Time Harvest Ministries’ premier event honoring graduates
and celebrating partners who have been outstanding advocates for students and
parents.
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