The Baltimore County Council approved the county government’s $3.5 billion budget on Thursday, but the vote exposed a rare rift among council members.

The Baltimore Sun reports,

Councilman Wade Kach voted against the budget after criticizing portions of the package and county policies. He cited what he described as the poor state of Dulaney and Towson high schools, declining SAT scores, spending on student laptops and staffing concerns at the county’s jail and 911 center.

“Budgets are all about priorities,” the Cockeysville Republican said. “As well as priorities, we need to look at the tax burden that’s placed on our Baltimore County residents.”

Kach estimated that each year, county residents pay about $185 more due to increased water and sewer rates and increased tax bills caused by rising property values.

Other council members disagreed with Kach’s comments. Councilman Julian Jones, a Woodstock Democrat, praised the county’s steady tax rates and quality services provided to residents. Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, a Middle River Democrat, chimed in: “Amen.”

Afterward, Council Chairman Tom Quirk said it was “disingenuous” for Kach to criticize the final budget when he had not suggested any changes during the council’s budget deliberations.

“Not once did he motion for any cuts,” said Quirk, a Catonsville Democrat.

…

The council voted 6-1 to approve the main budget bill, with Kach as the lone dissenter. Two companion budget bills were approved 7-0.

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and outgoing schools Superintendent Dallas Dance issued statements praising the council for passing the budget with no cuts.

“We continue to operate a government that is innovative, responsible and efficient,” said Kamenetz, a Democrat considering a run for governor next year.

Dance, who is leaving his post at the end of June, highlighted the “exemplary support” of the county council.

The budget will guide the county government’s spending for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Read the full article for more information.

As reported by Howard County, Maryland,

County Executive Allan H. Kittleman today thanked the Howard County Council for passing the FY 2018 capital and operating budgets.

“This is the third year in a row that the Howard County Council has passed the budget 5-0 and I am particularly gratified by the collaboration and cooperation demonstrated during each process,” Kittleman said. “I want to thank Council Chair Weinstein for his leadership in ensuring a smooth budget review process over the last several weeks.

Kittleman said that despite modest revenue growth, this balanced budget holds the line on taxes while increasing funding for targeted priority areas and reflects “our shared priorities as a community, investing in new efforts and building on our progress” during the last two years to improve the quality of life for Howard County families.

“As we have in each of my previous two budgets, we have again provided more money to the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) than the mandated Maintenance of Effort level,” Kittleman added. “The budget fully funds teacher salary increases, special education needs, and restores 87 paraeducator positions and the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position. Thanks to the efforts of the school board and Interim Superintendent Michael Martirano, we were able to work with HCPSS to advance the replacement of Talbott Springs Elementary and keep the 13th high school project on track.”

Other critical projects and initiatives included in this budget:

• Launch of the 24/7 Education Initiative for programs tackling achievement disparities. Initiatives will help provide mental health services for children; provide summer food access in targeted areas; address critical performance gaps; and add a human services specialist to support the initiative, grants management and program development.
• Support for mental health initiatives and substance abuse services, including $150,000 for coordinated efforts in fighting the opioid crisis and funding for site selection and design for a detox and outpatient treatment center.
• Funding for a new human trafficking prevention manager to coordinate with county agencies involved in this effort.
• Creation of the Community Resources Campus, bringing together county departments, the state Department of Social Services and many nonprofits at one central, conveniently accessible location.
• Creation of the Howard County Innovation Center in Columbia Gateway to serve as a catalyst to attract private investments and expand the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship.
• Funding to replace the aging Circuit Courthouse.
• $4.5 million in PAYGO to continue progress on the 10-year backlog of road resurfacing projects.
• Developing an implementation plan to revitalize the U.S. Route 1 corridor and expanding the Route 1 Tax Credit.
• $1.8 million for flood remediation projects for Main Street Ellicott City and Valley Mede and $200,000 for planning, design and implementation of parking improvements for the Main Street area.
• $1.7 million for Phase 3 of Blandair Regional Park, providing a playground designed for children of all abilities, a dog park, a picnic shelter and an area for backyard games and planning and design funds for a pool at the North Laurel Community Center
• Funding for improvements to the U.S. Route 29 Pedestrian Bridge.

The approved budget also continues the Aging-in-Place tax credit and the expansion of the Senior Tax Credit to help residents stay in their homes. So far, more than 1,500 people have taken advantage of these credits.