Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on the County Council Passing the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget
Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Friday 21 May
Yesterday the Montgomery County Council reached a preliminary agreement on my recommended fiscal year 2022 (FY 22) operating and capital budgets. I want to thank the Council for their thoughtful review, analysis, and questions regarding my budget proposals. To have the executive and legislative branch agreeing on virtually all of the total budget is a big win for our County residents.
Over the last three budget cycles, Montgomery County has had to overcome deficits, responded to the pandemic, and now, recover from the devastating pandemic that took the lives of almost 1,500 Montgomery County residents. The emotional and economic toll on families will likely take years to recover from.
To accelerate that recovery for all County residents, I am proud that my administration has provided balanced budgets that fully fund education, expand transit, fight climate change, and keep our residents and neighborhoods safe. And we have done all that while providing a response to COVID-19 that respects the science and protects our residents.
It is important to me that the FY 22 budget fully fund education above Maintenance of Effort without raising taxes on homeowners during a year when so many families are struggling. We were able to accomplish this thanks to the assistance provided by the federal government, and the efforts of the Montgomery County Congressional Delegation – Sen. Ben Cardin, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. David Trone, and Rep. John Sarbanes. Their advocacy, votes, and political will led to much-needed assistance provided to the County Government and our one million residents. In addition, the Biden administration’s focus on providing relief to state and local governments through the American Rescue Plan has made a positive, immediate, and critical difference in Montgomery County.
I am also grateful for the hundreds of County employees who create, review, and manage our budget throughout the year. As a result of their work along with the stewardship of the County’s budget and finance departments, and the legislative oversight of the Council, Montgomery County has been a Triple-A Bond rated-County by three credit rating agencies for more than three decades.
Montgomery County continues to make progress, increase investments, and find innovations to achieve the country’s educational, environmental, economic, and public safety goals.
This progress is the result of the incredible work of our employees over the past year. Montgomery County was amongst the first and hardest hit jurisdictions by COVID-19 in the region. And today, we are one of the best in the nation to reduce case rates and roll out vaccine doses equitably. Our success today, and over the last year, is the result of a team effort.
I want to thank my colleagues on the County Council for accepting my proposed budget recommendations. I believe that we have a budget that will continue our efforts to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the County.
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