Leggett Outlines County Budget Recommendations

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett outlined his $4.56 billion fiscal year 2013 budget proposal at a press conference in Rockville at noon on Thursday.

The proposal represents a 4.6 percent over the previous year. In dollars and cents, Leggett is proposing nearly $200 million more in expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.

His recommendations include:

• A $381,823 funding increase for Montgomery College
• Restoring 92 county employee positions that have been eliminated during the previous five years,
• A 10 percent increase in library spending
• A 9.2 percent increase for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
• A $1.5 million earmark to help build 140 affordable housing units for seniors
• A 10.4 percent increase for the Department of Transportation, which would be used to hire more bus drivers

Last year, the for fiscal year 2012; it represented a 2.2 percent increase from the previous year.

This year, Leggett proposes maintaining the current property tax revenue levels. Under the proposal, the water quality fund contributions would increase from $70 per household to $92.

Leggett called his proposal both "prudent" and a "great budget for Montgomery County."

The county council must vote on a the budget by June 1. Fiscal year 2013 starts on July 1 and continues through the following June.

For more details about the proposal or to submit your own feedback about the budget, visit the county's website.