The fiscal year 2023 capital budget is now law, authorizing nearly $4 billion in capital projects. Here’s what it means for counties.
Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan signed the FY 23 capital budget into law. It will fund a diverse variety of projects around the state, including those dealing with construction, the environment, affordable housing, and even neighborhood revitalization.
More than a quarter of the $4 billion capital budget will be used for convenbtional infrastructure projects including those for public schools, universities, medical facilities, and parks. Other notable projects include funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration, seed funding for a women’s pre-release correctional center in Anne Arundel County.
Specifically, it authorized $466.7 million in general obligation debt for public education projects, with $304 million of that for public school construction projects, and $195 million for higher education institutions, including community colleges. Atop the GO bond funding are other sources of funds for many areas, as the state supported a wide range of pay-as-you-go projects that may have otherwise been candidates for more conventional bond-funded spending.
Grants for local projects make up the largest other chunk of the capital budget, at $560 million. Smaller appropriations include $35 million for medical facilities and other state projects, including $12 million toward a new Department of Legislative Services (DLS) Building in Annapolis.
The clearest — and complete — breakdown of what was funded can be found in DLS’ 90 Day Report on the 2022 legislative session.
One big winner – School Construction
With the state recognizing a substantial budgetary surplus, but unclear on whether it will be ongoing or fleeting, the budget plan (both the capital budget bill itself, plus the effects of prior legislation, most notably the “Built to Learn Act” directing casino revenues into school construction revenue bonds) includes some accelerated and extraordinary investment in capital facilities, using more sources than the conventional general obligation bonds issues to cover immediate project costs.
Notably, the General Assembly established a School Construction Revolving Loan Fund during the 2022 legislative session and appropriated $40 M for FY 23. The School Construction Revolving Loan Fund will allow lower-debt capacity counties to forward fund state and local shares of school construction projects. That, along with several other major school construction policies, were recommendations from the interim Workgroup on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities, on which MACo member Frederick County Executive Jan Garden participated.
The Healthy Schools Facility Fund also received substantial funding for FY 23, at a total of $90 M. That fund provide grants to public primary and secondary schools in to improve the health of school facilities, including to support major system repairs and replacements like roofs, HVAC, and plumbing.
This summary table from the Department of Legislative Services shows the multiple components that led to the highest single year investment in school projects on record:
The full DLS analysis on public school construction is available within the 90 Day Report, beginning on page A-61.
What’s in it for each county?
Below are some noteworthy capital projects funded, by county, in the FY 23 capital budget. The full county allocations are linked to on each county name; the lists below only represent a sampling of approved funding.
As you will see below, capital school projects were substantially funded for FY 23. Note, however, that the finalized public school renovations project allocation will be made during the month of May, so the allocations listed below may change.
- Total direct aid:$127,150
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $97,294
- Direct aid to primary to community colleges: $9,132
- Program Open Space: $912,017
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,187,376
- Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects: $3 M
- Frostburg State University: $11.5 M
- Public school renovations:
- Braddock Middle School – renovations (electrical/elevator): $712,484
- Northeast Elementary School – renovations (roof): $945,000
- Washington Middle School – renovations (electrical): $688,500
- Aging Schools Program: $97,791
- Total direct aid: $574,966
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $471,213
- Direct aid to primary to community colleges: $42,972
- Program Open Space: $9,918,697
- Community parks and playgrounds: $9,128,270
- Coastal Resiliency Program: $770,000
- Public school renovations:
- Bates Middle School – renovations (HVAC/electrical): $5,961,694
- Brock Bridge Elementary School – kindergarten/pre-k addition: $1,674,900
- Glen Burnie High School – renovations (building enclosure): $1,279,079
- Meade Heights Elementary School – kindergarten/pre-k addition: $1,371,600
- Quarterfield Elementary School – construction: $10,668,600
- Aging Schools Program: $506,038
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $14.6 M
- Total direct aid: $1,468,353
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $1,126,504
- Direct aid to Baltimore City Community College: $13,105,000
- Program Open Space: $29,525,976
- Community parks and playgrounds: $9,985,000
- Howard Street Tunnel: $51,500,000
- Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.: $10 M
- Street and sidewalk improvements: $10 M
- Public school renovations:
- Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle School #243 – construction: $9 M
- Furley Elementary School #206 – construction: $6.3 M
- Maree Garnett Farring Elementary/Middle School #203 – construction: $2.025 M
- Northeast Middle Building #49 – construction: $2.504 M
- Roland Park Elementary/Middle School #233 – renovations (boiler): $2.496 M
- The Mount Washington School #221 – renovations (roof): $854,000
- Thomas Jefferson Elem./Middle School – renovations (HVAC/windows): $5.664 M
- Westport Academy #225 – renovations (elevator): $432,000
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $75 M
- Aging Schools Program: $1,387,927
- Total direct aid: $950,930
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $836,781
- Direct aid to Community College of Baltimore County: $6,445,000
- Program Open Space: $11,145,428
- Community parks and playgrounds: $10 M
- Community College of Baltimore County: $6.445 M
- Public school renovations:
- Battle Monument Special School – renovations (HVAC): $3,786,600
- Chesapeake High School – renovations (HVAC): $5,120,100
- Joppa View Elementary School – renovations (fire safety): $139,500
- Loch Raven High School – renovations (boiler/chillers): $2,191,500
- Milford Mill Academy – renovations (roof): $3,615,300
- Owings Mill High School – renovations (electrical): $599,700
- Parkville High School – renovations (boilers): $610,500
- Perry Hall High School – renovations (chiller/electrical/fire safety): $2,649,200
- Rosedale Center Middle/High School – renovations (roof): $1,103,400
- Timber Grove Elementary School – renovations (roof):1,186,200
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $80 M
- Aging Schools Program: $874,227
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $4.4 M
- Total direct aid: $116,445
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $102,941
- Direct aid to community colleges: $5,084
- Program Open Space: $990,473
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1 M
- College of Southern Maryland: $3.104 M
- Public library renovations:
- Twin Beaches Library – construction: $2.5 M
- Public school renovations:
- Beach Elementary School – construction: $3,974,901
- Calvert Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $1,268,685
- Plum Point Middle School – renovations (HVAC): $1 M
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $79,963
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $69,020
- Direct aid to community colleges: $2,143
- Program Open Space: $431,843
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,680,027
- Chesapeake College: $1.322 M
- Public library renovations:
- Denton Library – renovation: $917,000
- Public school renovations:
- Ridgely Elementary School – renovations (roof): $1,950,000
- Aging Schools Program: $50,074
- Total direct aid: $182,460
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $157,927
- Direct aid to community colleges: $12,832
- Program Open Space: $2,218,579
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,924,346
- Carroll Community College: $3,670,000
- Public school renovations:
- Career and Technology Center – construction: $8,326,128
- South Carroll High School – renovations (windows/doors): $1 M
- Westminster East Middle School – construction: $1,084,790
- Aging Schools Program: $137,261
- Total direct aid: $142,376
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $119,048
- Direct aid to community colleges: $8,827
- Program Open Space: $1,144,830
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,747,000
- Public school renovations:
- Elkton Middle School – renovations (roof): $1,348,000
- North East Middle/High School – construction: $3,461,331
- Aging Schools Program: $96,024
- Total direct aid: $241,655
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $222,572
- Direct aid to community colleges: $9,361
- Program Open Space: $2,022,402
- Community parks and playgrounds: $300,000
- College of Southern Maryland: $3.093 M
- Public school renovations:
- Elementary School #23 School – construction: $2,908,100
- Eva Turner Elementary School – construction: $2,340,283
- Indian Head Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $802,913
- T.C. Martin Elementary School – construction: $7,982,949
- Westlake High School – renovations (roof): $2,317,770
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $5 M
- Aging Schools Program: $50,074
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $7.9 M
- Total direct aid: $66,570
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $55,289
- Direct aid to community colleges: $1,626
- Program Open Space: $370,586
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,208,295
- Chesapeake College: $1.32 M
- Public school renovations:
- South Dorchester Elementary/Middle School – renovations (HVAC): $2,150,848
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $363,878
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $329,080
- Direct aid to community colleges: $17,380
- Program Open Space: $2,386,078
- Community parks and playgrounds: $6,405,263
- Frederick Community College: $419,000
- Public library renovations:
- Middletown Library – construction: $1 M
- Public school renovations:
- Ballenger Creek Middle School – renovations (roof): $2,047,500
- Blue Heron Elementary School – construction: $8,227,396
- Monocacy Elementary School – construction: $1,882,001
- Rock Creek School – construction: $7,369,222
- Thurmont Elementary School – construction: $1,295,381
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $10 M
- Aging Schools ProgramSupplemental: $182,622
- Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $15.3 M
- Total direct aid: $363,878
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $38,468
- Direct aid to community colleges: $5,398
- Program Open Space: $466,599
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.155 M
- Garrett Community College: $419,000
- Public school renovations:
- Grantsville Elementary School – renovations (open space enclosure): $1,908,836
- Southern Middle School – construction: $75,000
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $296,652
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $263,582
- Direct aid to community colleges: $17,677
- Program Open Space: $3,306,314
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.645 M
- Harford Community College: $8.074 M
- Public library renovations:
- Bel Air Library – renovations: $1.414 M
- Public school renovations:
- Bakerfield Elementary School – renovations (chiller): $631,000
- Harford Technical High School – construction: $7,857,426
- Meadowvale Elementary School – renovations (chiller): $436,00
- Aging Schools Program: $217,379
- Total direct aid: $377,759
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $331,408
- Direct aid to community colleges: $31,306
- Program Open Space: $5,838,350
- Community parks and playgrounds: $8.55 M
- Howard Community College: $15.213 M
- Public school renovations:
- Guilford Elementary School – renovations (windows/doors): $800,800
- Jeffers Hill Elementary School – renovations (boiler): $369,600
- Manor Woods Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $5,160,967
- New High School #13 – construction: $8,379,787
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $35 M
- Aging Schools Program: $87,776
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $16.8 M
- Total direct aid: $14,827
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $11,263
- Direct aid to community colleges: $645
- Program Open Space: $279,932
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,023,866
- Chesapeake College: $1.322 M
- Public school renovations:
- Kent County High School – renovations (roof): $1,624,300
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $985,456
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $868,644
- Direct aid to community colleges: $70,709
- Program Open Space: $14,758,551
- Community parks and playgrounds: $12,596,014
- Bus rapid transit: $63.4 M
- Montgomery College: $10.532 M
- Public school renovations:
- Diamond Elementary School – renovations (roof): $836,100
- East Silver Spring Elementary School – renovations (roof): $47,050
- Flower Valley Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $1.8 M
- Harmony Hills Elementary School – renovations (HVAC/roof): $2,396,250
- John F. Kennedy High School – renovations (roof): $1,210,050
- Meadow Hall Elementary School – renovations (roof): $146,250
- Ritchie Park Elementary School – renovations (roof): $242,550
- Rock View Elementary School – renovations (roof): $742,500
- Sligo Middle School – renovations (HVAC): $4.05 M
- Springbrook High School – renovations (HVAC): $1.575 M
- Westland Middle School – renovations (HVAC): $4.05 M
- Westover Elementary School – renovations (roof): $571,500
- White Oak Middle School – renovations (HVAC): $4.05 M
- Woodfield Elementary School – renovations (roof): $681,750
- Wyngate Elementary School – renovations (roof): $325,800
- Aging Schools Program: $602,651
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $18.6 M
- Total direct aid: $1,541,848
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $1,348,373
- Direct aid to community colleges: $45,390
- Program Open Space: $12,606,445
- Community parks and playgrounds: $10,996,150
- Prince George’s Community College: $18 M
- Public library renovations:
- Baden Library: $1.549 M
- Public school renovations:
- Charles Herbert Flowers High School – renovations (roof): $4,664,700
- Glenridge Area Middle School – construction: $1,048,140
- H. Winship Wheatley Early Childhood Center School – renovations (HVAC): $6,937,808
- Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $4,667,000
- William Wirt Middle School – construction: $811,295
- Additional Earmarked Funding: $30 M
- Aging Schools Program: $1,209,426
- Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems: $17.8 M
- Total direct aid: $48,241
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $41,596
- Direct aid to community colleges: $2,809
- Program Open Space: $611,281
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.023 M
- Chesapeake College: $1.322 M
- Public school renovations:
- Queen Anne’s County High School – renovations (roof): $3,991,600
- Aging Schools Program: $50,074
- Total direct aid: $139,977
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $127,136
- Direct aid to community colleges: $6,263
- Program Open Space: $611,281
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.125 M
- Chesapeake College: $1.322 M
- Public school renovations:
- Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School – construction: $3.724 M
- Town Creek Elementary School – renovations (HVAC): $1,182,160
- Aging Schools Program: $50,074
- Total direct aid: $53,298
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $40,953
- Direct aid to community colleges: $1,431
- Program Open Space: $265,260
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.023 M
- Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund:$2,641,206
- Public school renovations:
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $25,543
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $18,850
- Direct aid to community colleges: $2,413
- Program Open Space: $639,375
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.04 M
- Chesapeake College: $1.322 M
- Public library renovations:
- St. Michaels Library – renovation and expansion: $120,000
- Public school renovations:
- Easton High School – renovations (roof): $603,867
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
- Total direct aid: $244,308
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $213,779
- Direct aid to community colleges: $14,541
- Program Open Space: $1,746,742
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1,648,850
- Hagerstown Community College: $4.408 M
- Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund: $9,810,629
- Public school renovations:
- Boonsboro Middle School – renovations (electrical): $428,000
- Emma K. Doub Elementary School – renovations (electrical): $277,000
- Hancock Middle/High School – renovations (HVAC): $608,00
- North Hagerstown High School – renovations (windows and masonry): $790,000
- Smithsburg Middle School – renovations (roof): $2,206,227
- Williamsport Elementary School – renovations (boilers/roof): $1,874,000
- Williamsport High School – renovations (electrical/roof): $3,281,534
- Aging Schools Program: $134,904
- Total direct aid: $213,184
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $181,856
- Direct aid to community colleges: $7,756
- Program Open Space: $1,158,851
- Community parks and playgrounds: $2,086,243
- Wor-Wic Community College: $11.525 M
- Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund: $3,679,919
- Public school renovations:
- Mardela Middle/High School – construction: $21,049,098
- Aging Schools Program: $106,627
- Total direct aid: $39,928
- Direct aid to primary and secondary education: $25,418
- Direct aid to community colleges: $3,250
- Program Open Space: $1,142,829
- Community parks and playgrounds: $1.,377,050
- Wor-Wic Community College: $11.525 M
- Public school renovations:
- Aging Schools Program: $38,293
The Capital Budget Process
The General Assembly may add or subtract funding from the capital budget bill as proposed. The General Assembly may not take final action on the capital budget until they have passed the operating budget. Following the General Assembly’s passage of the capital budget, the capital budget bill must be signed by the Governor and is subject to the Governor’s line-item veto power.
As described by the Department of Legislative Services:
Unlike the operating budget, in acting on the capital budget bill, the legislature
may amend the budget to add and delete projects from the capital bond program. The legislature may also increase project funding and add contingent, conditional, or restrictive language to the bill regarding how the funds may be applied.
Useful links