Prince George’s County Council adopts Balanced $3.7 Billion General Fund Budget; Total FY 21 County Budget $4.48 Billion.
In a unanimous vote, the Prince George’s County Council yesterday adopted a balanced $3.7 billion operating budget for fiscal 21.
The spending plan, which does not include a tax rate increase, applies County reserve funds to fill revenue gaps this year and in the new fiscal year and implements significant spending controls. As previously reported on Conduit Street, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks last month submitted to the County Council a revised fiscal 21 budget proposal in order to reflect a significant deterioration in local revenues due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Nearly 66% of the fiscal 21 budget is appropriated for education, which includes the Board of Education, Prince George’s Community College, and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. The budget maintains core government services, retains the County’s workforce, addresses the immediate COVID-related needs of residents, manages the impacts of the pandemic, fosters recovery, and implements significant spending controls.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic has thrust us all into uncertain times and unknown territory, and as the substantial impacts of this crisis continue to reach into our communities, Prince George’s County faces health, safety, and economic challenges of historic proportion,” Council Chair Todd Turner said. “A pandemic like this hasn’t happened in 100 years – it’s new for all of us, but you have been inspiring, hard-working teammates and passionate advocates for the residents we represent – you have risen to this historic challenge and excelled as leaders and colleagues.”
According to a County press release:
The adopted budget also includes Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support the growing concerns around food insecurities; business and employment support; rental and mortgage housing assistance; and COVID-related health services.
In bi-county budget action earlier this month, lawmakers from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties unanimously adopted the FY 21 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 2021 Operating Budget of $849.7 million and a Capital Budget of $606.7 million for the utility, which includes funding to replace water mains and invest in new technologies; continue upgrades to more energy efficient equipment and systems; and increase the affordability of services for ratepayers and residents.
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