Most of our non-budget related legislation remains tabled. My focus has been almost exclusively on the fiscal year 2021 budget. As I’ve stated throughout this budget process, I am disappointed and frustrated that the County Council is being forced to consider two tax increases, growth in operational spending, and new long-term bond debt that far exceeds even pre-COVID recommendations. None of these components of the County Executive’s proposed budget reflects the financial losses and anxiety that thousands of our citizens are enduring right now.
I will oppose both tax increases and push hard to bring all spending down. I have scrubbed the capital budget and will be sponsoring a budget amendment to both reduce that spending by approximately $35 million (30%) and reallocate funding between different capital projects. The outcomes will be a reduction in new borrowing, the preservation of one-time operating funds that can be used to offset this temporary revenue interruption, and continuation of priority capital projects despite the current economic crisis. I am also working through various scenarios, including the deferral of wage increases, the elimination of vacant positions and the limiting of new efforts by departments, to reduce operating expenses by the additional $10-$15 million needed to balance the budget without the tax increases.
Please support these efforts by sending your thoughts to the County Executive and other Council members who can be emailed at cball@howardcountymd.gov and councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.
