County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov
Dear Friends of Baltimore County,
During the past five years, Baltimore County government has worked together with neighborhoods and businesses to build a community-driven renaissance that has touched the lives of all of our citizens. But as our renaissance enters its sixth year, we face a very difficult economic time.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the current economic malaise has spread around the globe. Our own nation’s economy is reeling from the effects of the subprime mortgage and credit crisis. More than 156,000 jobs have been lost nationwide just since the beginning of February. According to the Pew Research Center, 54 percent of middle class Americans (those earning between $40 – $100,000) believe they are worse off than they were 5 years ago, and of those employed, one in four worry that they will be laid off or lose their job. Seventy-five percent of American economists believe that we are in a recession.
In order to keep our renaissance alive and healthy, I have submitted a lean budget for Fiscal Year 2009 to the County Council. In Baltimore County, we have a long history of responsible fiscal management, a tradition that has provided County government with solid financial stability; competitive employee compensation, benefits, and job security; consistent delivery of important government services; aggressive promotion of economic opportunity and expansion; and an outstanding quality of life for the youngest to the oldest members of our County community. It is this tradition of fiscal management that has made our renaissance possible. I am confident that this budget will keep spending under control during this difficult economic time without sacrificing the priorities of Baltimore County.
It is only by controlling government spending that we can avoid the necessity of any tax rate increases for County residents. As a result of this budget, for the 19th consecutive year, there will be no property tax rate increase, and for the 15th consecutive year there will be no increase in the income tax rate. This budget also maintains the County’s 4 percent cap on property tax assessments, resulting in $171 million in tax relief for County homeowners next year.
This year, education remains the number one priority of Baltimore County. This budget contains a $749.5 million general fund appropriation request for our public school system, which exceeds maintenance of effort by $34.2 million. The public school system’s total budget of $1.35 billion is 52 percent of the County’s total operating budget. It also comprises 51 percent of the County’s FY09 capital budget.
This year’s budget also includes $425,000 in funding to add six additional Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) staff positions to expand this program to Eastern Tech, Western School of Technology, George Washington Carver, and Towson High Schools. These additional staff positions will reduce the waiting lists at 3 schools that are currently part of the AVID program – Perry Hall, Milford Mill, and Randallstown High Schools. Ninety-eight percent of AVID seniors have applied to college. The AVID program is making a difference in our high schools.
Based on AVID’s success, it is time to expand this program into our more challenging County middle schools to help students who might otherwise be overlooked. Participation in AVID improves attendance, increases participation in honors and Advanced Placement courses, and increases High School Assessment pass rates With my proposed budget, AVID can be expanded into Southwestern Academy, Dundalk, Lansdowne, and Woodlawn Middle Schools.
Although education is the highest priority in this proposed budget, public safety and the quality of life in our County neighborhoods have also received budgetary attention.
The Baltimore County Public Library system is widely recognized as one of the finest in the nation. In February, the Libraries opened a unique new resource for the families of Baltimore County at the Rosedale Library, called Storyville.
This child-sized townscape for birth to 6 year olds is visually exciting with age-appropriate literacy materials that promote early childhood learning and school readiness skills. Storyville is a true destination location on the east side of the County, but it is not readily accessible to the children of western Baltimore County. This proposed budget includes $1 million dollars for the planning of a second Storyville at the Woodlawn Library. Storyville is another key component of Baltimore County’s commitment to early childhood education. Our children must be prepared for school when they enter kindergarten, and Storyville helps do just that.
The Baltimore County Police Department is committed to serving our citizens with a diverse police force that reflects Baltimore County. That is why this budget includes $387,000 for a program to increase police minority recruitment in our cadet classes. This is a farsighted approach to meeting the needs of the County and to maintaining the confidence of the community in our Baltimore County police.
This budget continues Baltimore County’s community wide renaissance without risking long-term harm as a consequence of current economic circumstances. We have made significant progress together in the past five years, and I am confident that responsible fiscal management will make it possible for us to maintain the momentum of our renaissance for years to come.
James T. Smith
County Executive
Revised May 1, 2008
Courthouse 