The Prince George’s County Council passed a balanced $5.46 billion budget for fiscal 2025, which begins July 1, 2024. Critical priorities for the fiscal 2025 budget include education and youth development, public safety, investments in infrastructure for the new FBI Headquarters in Greenbelt, beautification, and stormwater management to help combat a changing climate.
After receiving the proposed budget from County Executive Angela Aslobrooks in March, the Council held several work sessions, committee budget oversight meetings, and public hearings to manage a $171 million budget shortfall due to factors including higher interest rates that have hurt home sales and reduced tax income, the extinguishment of federal pandemic funds, rising inflation, the increasing impacts of climate change, and increasing state requirements for education funding.
“The budget, this year and over the next few years, is going to be the biggest challenge facing our County,” said Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5). “We’ve been committed, in collaboration with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and her team, to finding responsible solutions to address the shortfall while minimizing impacts on our citizens. The spending plan adopted today reflects our County’s priorities and does not compromise on public safety and education.”
The adopted general fund budget includes a whopping $2.8 billion (62 percent) for Prince George’s County Public Schools, $910 million (20 percent) for public safety, and the remaining 18 percent for the rest of the County’s operations.
Council enhancements to the budget include an additional $200,000 to assist the Prince George’s Police Department in filling vacancies. The County Executive’s budget already provided funds for 100 recruits each for police and fire, and the Council has negotiated with the Executive Branch to create an additional 50 firefighter positions.
The Council provided an additional $3 million through grants to help fund County nonprofits, $100,000 for Animal Services in the Department of the Environment, and $250,000 to fund a sickle cell machine and operational needs at UM Capital Region Medical Center.
An additional $400,000 will go to Child Resource Connect specifically for the “Family Connects” program for new parents. This program provides home visits from a registered nurse to all new families in the County to help them identify and access resources.
“I want to thank our County Council for passing the fiscal 2025 budget,” said County Executive Alsobrooks. “This budget reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents, investing in critical services, and driving sustainable economic growth. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, more prosperous future for our County.”
Visit the Prince George’s County website for more information.
