WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- Monday, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker unveiled his budget proposal for next year. Like all budgets, there was some nipping and tucking, as well as some spending increases.
Baker joined us in studio Monday night to talk more about his spending plan. Watch the video to find out what he had to say.
Below is the press release about the budget proposal for fiscal year 2012:
Upper Marlboro, Maryland - Today, in accordance with Prince George's County Charter, County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III released his FY 2012 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets that preserved his three major priorities - economic development, K-12 education, and public safety - that will lead the County along the Path to Greatness. The $3.15 billion operating budget reflects very modest growth of $10.2 million, or 0.3% over the FY 2011 Approved Operating Budget due to the continuation of these challenging economic times.
"In order to move Prince George's County along the path to greatness, we had to make difficult decisions in the FY 2012 budget process due to these challenging economic times," said Baker. "I am committed to making smart investments that will move the County forward in FY 2012, and beyond."
Over the past two years, the County has experienced significant decreases in our real property reassessments - 18% in FY 2011 and 29% in FY 2012 - due to the significant market correction in the housing market. As a result, the County's real property tax base is projected to decrease from $96 billion in FY 2011 to $84 billion in FY 2012, excluding the impact of the homestead tax credit.
The FY 2012 Proposed Budget will begin the transformation of Prince George's County into a major force in the economic development world from both a regional and national perspective. Approximately 58% of the County's residents leave Prince George's County daily for their employment. In addition, County residents hold only 41% of the jobs in the County.
The proposed budget contains a one-time investment of $50 million from fund balance into a new Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund that will assist the County in:
• Expanding the County's commercial tax base;
• Creating additional jobs; and
• Increasing the County's income base.
"Our most critical investment in FY 2012 is the creation of the Economic Development Incentive Fund that will help us expand our economy and our commercial tax base," said Baker. "This expansion will help provide additional resources in the long-term for our two major priorities - K-12 education and public safety."
This revolving fund will provide loans, grants, guarantees, equity investments, etc. to small businesses, mid-sized businesses, large corporations, transit-oriented development projects, and commercial development. This investment will improve the County's ability to attract new businesses and retain existing businesses. In addition, the fund will give the County an unprecedented opportunity to garner matching funds from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and from other sources.
The FY 2012 proposed budget also includes $4.2 million for the County's three economic development agencies - Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Prince George's Financial Services Corporation, and the Prince George's County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
An essential partner that is directly linked to our EDI efforts is a highly performing K-12 school system. Our school system is making academic strides despite these challenging times. For example, Prince George's County led the State of Maryland in the number of new National Board Certified Teachers in 2010 with 76 teachers.
The FY 2012 proposed budget contains $1.60 billion in spending for K-12 education, including $614 million in County funds - an increase of $14 million or 2.3% over the FY 2011 Approved Budget.
The budget also contains $3 million in one-time funds for the Alice Ferguson Foundation for the construction of an innovative environmental education facility in southern Prince George's County. The center, located along the Potomac River, provides hands-on environmental and agricultural education for K-12 students.
The other critical element to our economic development success is providing safer communities for our citizens and residents. The proposed budget contains $535 million in operating funds for our public safety agencies and departments. Public Safety highlights include funds for:
• 150 new police recruits;
• 220 new police vehicles;
• 60 new fire/EMS recruits;
• 22 new fire suppression vehicles, equipment, and ambulance units;
• 32 new correctional officers;
• The opening of two (2) new correctional housing units in October 2011;
• 10 new deputy sheriffs, and the transfer of 20 additional deputy sheriffs from the School Resource Officer (SRO) function to the warrant unit; and
• 2 additional positions in the State's Attorney's Office.
The Police Department will assume the SRO function in FY 2012. As part of our public safety efforts, the County will also begin the implementation of a speed camera program in FY 2012.
The capital budget includes funding for the new District 7 Police Station in Fort Washington. The capital budget also contains $1.7 million for renovation projects at eighteen (18) fire stations. Over the new six-year capital program, funding for fire station renovations will increase by over 250% compared to the previous six-year program.
Through the FY 2012 Proposed Budget, the Baker administration provided funding toward environmental sustainable practices. The FY 2012 Proposed Budget includes $150 million for various stormwater management and $17 million in funding for Green Street improvements (bicycle-friendly features, bio-retention facilities, pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements).
Adhering to the Prince George's County Charter, the FY2012 Proposed Budget was submitted by March 15, 2011 to the Prince George's County Council. The Prince George's County Council must approve the FY2012 Proposed Budget by June 1, 2011.