Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Newman presented her first budget as county executive to the county council this week. The proposed $1.3 billion fiscal year 2014 budget increases spending by 7.1% over the prior year. As reported by The Capital:

“The economy is recovering, and certainly, from the employees’ standpoint, it’s good,” county Budget Officer John Hammond said.

The article also summarizes the main components of the budget.

The budget includes a 3 percent pay raise for all employees, the first since 2010. Hammond said the raises will cost the county about $12 million, not counting those for school employees.

There’s also funding for 79 new squad cars for the police department, upgrades to the radio system used by county firefighters and an additional $16.9 million in money for Anne Arundel schools.

In addition, Neuman unveiled a $201.4 million capital spending plan that includes $5.2 million for technology upgrades.