The County Council unanimously approved a $7.6 billion operating budget on Thursday.
Last week, Councilmembers took a straw vote to approve the budget. Thursday was the official vote.
They did not impose any tax increases. Councilmembers unanimously rejected an income tax increase County Executive Marc Elrich proposed to help fund the budget.
The council approved $3.6 billion in funding for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which is 99.8% of the school board’s request. The plan to make the school budget work will take $50 million out of pre-funding for a county retiree benefit trust.
After the straw vote, Elrich said in a statement, “While it is a temporary fix, it will fund the urgent needs now and allow time to agree on a long-term solution. Over the next year, we must work together— the Council, Board of Education, MCPS leadership, and our labor partners—to identify stable, recurring funding sources.”
Council President Kate Stewart previously acknowledged “the devastating impacts that federal job losses are having” in the community. Several Councilmembers have spoken out against a potential tax increase.
Also under the budget, more than $554 million will go to the county Department of Health and Human Services. $1.9 million was added to support mental health services.
$352 million goes to police, and $310 million goes to fire and rescue.
In the effort toward preserving affordable housing, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs will get $81.4 million.
The newly approved budget also allows Ride On bus service to remain free for all users.
