March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Schuh budget pretty solid for next year, teachers get step raises

budgetCounty Executive Steve Schuh unveiled his budget earlier this week.

“Last year, we set out an agenda to help our County reach its full potential. We began working to change the policies and culture of Anne Arundel County,” said Schuh.  “And we are succeeding.”

The budget delivers on the County’s Executive’s five point strategic plan for a stronger Anne Arundel County including:

  • Reducing Taxes and Fees: The FY 2017 budget fully funds both an $11 million tax cut and $75 million reduction in water and sewer connection fees. Through the property tax cap, citizens will also see a 1 percent, $5.5 million reduction in property taxes.
  • Strengthening Education: The FY 2017 budget fully funds a $15.5 million teacher salary step increase and the largest school construction effort in County history.
  • Investing in Public Safety: The FY 2017 budget includes funding for 20 new public safety personnel and continues to fund the planning of a new police academy and central booking facility.
  • Reforming County Government: The FY 2017 reorganizes various operating units within Inspections and Permits and Planning and Zoning to ensure greater efficiency and a smoother work flow.
  • Cleaning Up our Waterways: In the largest investment in waterway cleanup in county history, the FY 2017 budget calls for $253 million in 6 year program spending to support more than 300 waterway cleanup projects throughout the County.

The FY 2017 budget also works to improve residents’ overall quality of life by making strategic investments in every corner of our county through the JumpStart Anne Arundel Capital Funding program. Key projects in the budget include:

  • Crofton High School: The FY 2017 capital budget includes $6.2 million in design funds for the first incrementally new high school in our county since 1982. 
  • Brooklyn Park Senior Center Capital Improvement: The FY 2017 proposed capital budget will include $824,000 for an expansion of the County’s Brooklyn Park Senior Center. 
  • George Cromwell Elementary Revitalization: The FY 2017 proposed capital budget will include funds to help with the design of George Cromwell Elementary School’s revitalization.
  • Mountain Road Revitalization: The FY 2017 budget proposed $23 million  over the next 6 years for the long-awaited, and much-needed revitalization of Mountain Road in Pasadena to ensure this vital artery of our County can fulfill its economic potential.
  • Severn Health and Wellness Center: The FY 2017 capital budget allocates more than $2 million for the much needed Severn Health and Wellness Center to ensure basic medical services for the Severn community.

The County Executive’s budget plan will undergo a series of hearings in May and face final consideration by the County Council on June 15th

[do action=”blackwall-hitch”/]

Previous Article

Know Your Limit with the Annapolis Police Department’s new program

Next Article

Trash to Treasures Rummage Sale this weekend

You might be interested in …