Chairman Heintz and members of the Planning Board, thank you for providing me with this opportunity to speak to you regarding the Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2008 and the Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009 through 2013.
I want to begin by thanking each of you for your service on the Planning Board. During my four years as Baltimore County Executive and throughout my entire life as a resident of Baltimore County, I have seen time, and time again, the good that the selflessness and generosity of volunteers in Baltimore County has accomplished. Volunteerism is at the heart of Baltimore County. Healthy communities thrive because they have people who are citizens who care, who get involved, and who watch out for the needs of their neighbors. The selflessness and generosity of volunteers such as yourselves is the fabric that holds communities such as ours together, and the work of this Board in particular ensures progress and growth in our county that reflects community input.
As many of the veteran members of this Board know, this is considered an “off-year” in the biennial budget process. During such a year, very few changes occur in the previously adopted capital budget, requiring much less review by this Board. I believe you will find few material changes to the requested FY08 budget with the exception of the submission of the Board of Education.
The Board of Education will be requesting $155 million in their FY 2008 request, an increase of $40 million from the FY2007 adopted Capital Improvement Program. This is a significant increase that will be discussed in greater detail by Dr. Hairston, the Superintendent of Baltimore County Schools, when he appears before you.
As I have in the past, I will rely on this Board’s prudent review of this request. I know you are aware that Baltimore County has clearly demonstrated its commitment to funding school construction projects. Over the past four years we have contributed nearly $274 million toward school construction projects. Moreover, during the same period we took the aggressive initiative to forward-fund over $119 million in anticipated State aid. As a result, construction projects are complete for all elementary schools and seven middle schools in Baltimore County. Construction projects are in progress for sixteen middle schools and three are in the design/bid process. Funding to begin construction projects for our high schools is in the FY08 budget request.
As in previous years, I am advocating an increase in State school construction funds to $400 million for the entire State of Maryland. Our newly sworn-in Governor, Martin O’Malley, has publicly promised to fund the program at that level in his first annual budget. I am pleased with his assurances of the increase and hopeful that Baltimore County will receive a significant portion of our $95 million State request in School construction funds. To date, we have been advised that we will be receiving $27.9 million, but the State’s process is not yet complete. In the near future, I will appear before the new Governor and the rest of the Board of Public Works to appeal personally for additional funding for school construction projects in Baltimore County.
As in previous years, Fred Homan will be available to the Board to address any revenue or budget questions you may have. It is my understanding that previous meetings were very informative and productive. Thank you for allowing me to address you this afternoon. I truly appreciate your commitment to the citizens of Baltimore County.
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