The Anne Arundel County Council approved the fiscal 2025 budget by a 4-3 vote, emphasizing key investments while maintaining the region’s lowest tax rates.
“What has impressed me most about this year’s budget is the process,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “All seven members of the County Council have different priorities, and sometimes they disagree with one another or my administration, but we’ve established a process that respects all voices.”
Highlights include:
Public Safety: The budget increases starting salaries for police officers, funding for 70 new firefighter recruits, hiring bonuses for detention officers, and a new program to ensure a Sheriff’s Deputy in every courtroom.
Education: The budget fully funds the Board of Education’s compensation request with a step increase and a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment. It also includes enhanced support for public libraries, Anne Arundel Community College, pre-K programs, a new middle school athletics program, and virtual tutoring.
Community Well-being: The budget allocates funding to continue pandemic-era programs, including $1.5 million for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and support for the Department of Social Services’ SNAP program, benefiting over 36,000 children. Moreover, it includes support for the Mental Health Agency’s Crisis Response Team and an additional position for the Department of Health’s Cure Violence program.
Environmental Protection: The budget includes forming the County’s first environmental subcabinet, funding for staff at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve, and expanding the River Days Festival series to five locations for free public water access.
Fiscal Responsibility: For the second consecutive year, the County maintained a Triple-A bond rating from all three major rating agencies, acknowledging robust economic indicators and fiscal responsibility. The budget includes a neatly 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for both union and non-represented employees and funding for rising IT expenses, including the new Police Real Time Information Center and the Land Use Navigator.
The County Council reallocated funds from the delayed New Village Academy opening to other priorities, such as elementary school classroom teaching positions, teacher planning support, and pre-kindergarten programs. At the County Council’s request, the County Executive included additional funding for capital budget programs and a new position for the library system.
“The fiscal 2025 budget reflects our commitment to investing in our community’s future. With increased funding for education, public safety, and infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and improved quality of life for all residents,” said County Council Chair Allison Pickard.
