Budget Proposal: Increased Funding, Increased Tax, Homeless Initiative
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman released an operating budget proposal of $898.8 million on Friday.
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman Friday proposed to the Howard County Council a "lean" $898.8 million operating budget, crafted under the assumption of a worst-case scenario in the state's recent budget impasse.
Under the proposed budget, Howard County Public Schools, Howard Community College and the Howard County Library System would receive $526 million–a 2.7 percent increase from last year.
The Howard County Police Department would receive $180 million–a 3.5 percent increase over last year’s budget. Non-education funding would collectively increase 1.2 percent from last year, according to the proposal.
"Our budget is responsible, lean and not without sacrifice," said Ulman in a press release. "For the sixth year in a row we have been able to improve our priorities of public safety, education, and quality of life without raising property or income taxes."
Howard County’s property tax of $1.014 per $100 in assessed property value stayed the same in fiscal year 2013. This tax helps fund education and general government operations.
The fire and rescue tax increased throughout the county to $0.176 per $100 of assessed value.
Previously, Howard County was divided into two fire tax districts, both of which paid a lower rate -- $.1355 in the metro district and $.1155 in the rural district. The County Council approved the consolidation and tax increase earlier this year.
According to the county, the budget proposal was created with heavy consideration of the state's budget, which would cut 1 percent of funding to Howard County.
In April, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced plans for the state to relieve the cost of teacher pensions from the state and onto the counties. Under this plan, counties would be responsible for half the burden of teacher pensions.
The pension shift is not included in budget passed by the legislature, but some lawmakers have said they expect the governor to convene a special session, in which case a shift could be back in the picture.
"This budget is based on the prevailing consensus that the cost of teacher retirement obligations will begin to shift to county governments this year," according to the statement from Ulman's office.
For the first time, the budget also includes money earmarked specifically for the "Plan to End Homelessness." In his statement, Ulman said the plan involves a more efficient use of existing programs as well as additional funds for subsidies, addiction treatment and other services aimed at reducing the county's homeless population.
Ulman's budget cites several "cost savings" made over the past six years, including expanding the recycling program, decreasing county take-home vehicles, hybrid vehicle additions and a new cell phone policy for county employees.
JaySmith
8:16 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where's the 'sacrifice' Ken ? Didn't see any mention of anything at ALL significant!
Mike
9:24 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Just because the county executive states that the budget is "lean" does not make it so. Where is the reporting/journalism that challenges some of these statements in order to uncover the truth? There is no cost savings, there is an increase in taxes.
bill bissenas
9:13 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Mike, you'll find not critical reporting in Howard County about Ulman's budget. The media is in the tank for him, it's just that simple. The media just parrots what Ulman wants them to say.
H.R. Pufnstuf
6:30 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
There's more to the Operatiing budget than just the $898MM general fund. Ulman is being very misleading by speaking of the entire Operatiing budget but quoting the numbers for just the general fund.
Brandie Jefferson
9:54 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
FYI all, we will be looking at the actual budget once it's released.
JaySmith
4:09 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Good but do a little math too.....take the $ spent on for example police, then divide by # of police to get avg. Then find out how much avg policemen makes after 5 years (usually the date they're pay's ramped up), then see what pension/healthcare $ from ret age to 82 (avg lifespan of healthy male 45 yrs old)......and see how much grand total then divide by working years and you'll see a ridiculous high per year figure we paid them.
Adam R
7:59 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
526M on the library system? Well I guess so, It's one of the few places those looking for a job can get help besides the work force center. How about a few cuts Ulman? Elkridge has been slashed for years, time to cut expenses in Ellicott City and Columbia! Elkridge is tired of being the dog of the county. Try getting rid of that once cash cow Merriweather Post and find a private buyer. Brainstorm come up with something! Ulman and O'malley are joined at the hip: neither wants to be a problem solver, just point the finger and tell you how bad it is. Both have had one term in their positions and have not done a damn thing to help our situation. Just one mans opinion!
Rand McNally
10:10 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
So, the "fire and rescue" tax will increase 50%?! And exactly how is "hybrid vehicle additions" a "cost saving"?!! Do they grow on trees?! Is electricity free"?!! They really think we're stupid! Wake up Howard County!
JaySmith
2:04 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Congrats to all of us, commenting with a sane mind that doesn't bow at the altar of big-govt. Exactly right. Ulman is not cutting or trimming A THING. County ees continue to get pay that's too high, lifetime pensions that are too high and WAY too early compared to us schmucks in the private sector.....and lifetime healthcare benefits. WAKE UP PATCH WRITERS. Start investigating and exposing how govt rips us off......we're the private sector 'cash cow' for these govt-loving govt ees. Hey Patch writers.....I'll bet you barely have a modest 401(k) like the rest of us, and I bet your pay & healthcare isn't as good as the paper-pushers in govt. And how about policemen.....what's their lifetime pay, pension & healthcare from age 22 to 82. Figure it out and start the exposees. It's egregious, I tell you that! And they only work 20-25 years for their career. We work 40+ and get less benefits!
Robert Wickline
9:44 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Why do high school footall players need artificial turf fields at approx. $1,000,000 each? That is insane! It doesn't make our kids any smarter or pay our teachers one more penny, which is the cry of every liberal. Please explain that to us Ken.
Jack
12:40 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
You all need to educate yourselves on these toxic turf feilds and rec and parks attempt to take over your schools. Call the BOE and express your concerns befor the April 26 BOE meeting. There will be 2 public meetings on May 1 and May 15 at Glenelg and Riverhill.
bill bissenas
9:18 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Ken "dirty, filthy" Ulman (and before him, James Robey) has massively increased the size of Howard County government. Over the past 13 years, property taxes have increased at a rate of more than 8 percent annually. On average, Howard County property owners pay more in taxes than any other county in Maryland. And HoCo ranks in the top 7 percent of counties nationwide for highest property taxes. And now "dirty" Ken wants you to believe he is a fiscal conservative. I think it's disgraceful how he treats the people of Howard County, how believes that we are simply stupid, ignorant or both. Ken is a disgrace to HoCo and to Maryland.
bill bissenas
9:39 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
The author is mixing terms apparently. The general fund and operating budget are two different terms. The general fund, which has been in the $800+ million range is what's probably reflected in the article. The operating budget, which includes the general fund has been in the $1.5+ billion range. Only a statist like Ulman can increase spending and call it lean. And now Ken has established a new homelessness entitlement that will only grow with time, drawing homeless folks to HoCo from the surrounding counties (aided by the social justice churches). Yep, Dems behaving like Dems.