The Anne Arundel County Council this week passed County Executive Steuart Pittman’s fiscal 2022 budget, which makes key investments in schools, public safety, and parks & recreation while holding the line on income taxes and providing a slight property tax cut.
“This year’s budget puts us back on track, helping us achieve four basic goals for our residents: restore trust in government, create economic opportunity for all, implement smart growth policies, and promote health and wellness,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Our path to this budget was thoughtful and deliberate. We listened carefully to residents, departments, and financial experts, and created a budget that is fiscally responsible and fair.”
The budget provides funding to expand the County’s Crisis Intervention Team and construct new Evidence & Forensics and Special Operations Facilities. The budget also provides additional staffing support for the Fire Department, including training 42 new paramedics and funding for the land acquisition of the Fire Training Academy.
The spending plan also adds 53 new positions in the school system while delivering on a full step increase and an $8 million back step investment for teachers.
“As the senior member of the County Council, this year’s budget can be seen as a sound fiscal budget that addresses immediate needs – including public safety and education – as well as long-term liabilities such as retirement benefits,” said Council Member Andrew Pruski.
The budget keeps the County’s income tax rate at 2.81 percent, the lowest in the Central Maryland region, and lowers property taxes slightly, while paying $11 million into the rainy day fund and bringing the capital budget’s debt affordability back below zero.
