$6 Billion Budget Approved By Montgomery County Council

ROCKVILLE, MD — Property taxes will not increase for Montgomery County residents this year despite a 2.2 percent increase in the county's budget, bringing it to $6 billion for fiscal year 2022.

The council approved 99.85 percent of the county executive's recommendations, and will award Montgomery County Public Schools the $2.8 billion requested by the Board of Education. Montgomery College was awarded its full $312.5 million request.

The Montgomery Housing Initiative was awarded the most funding in county history — $89.1 million — for affordable housing. The Montgomery County Police Department eliminated 29 positions this year — many were already vacant, but those in eliminated positions will be reassigned within the department.

The county's recycling complex will be upgraded and three positions will be added to work on the Climate Action Plan. The budget also funds a study of the county's bus system, in an effort to make efficiency changes.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the County Council for accepting 99.85 percent of my proposed budget recommendations,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a news release. “To have the executive and legislative branch agreeing on virtually all of the total budget is a big win for our county residents. Over the last three budget cycles, Montgomery County has had to overcome deficits, respond to the pandemic, and now, recover from the devastating pandemic that took the lives of more than 1,500 Montgomery County residents.

"I am proud that my administration has provided balanced budgets that fully fund education, expand transit, fight climate change and keep our residents and neighborhoods safe. And we have done all that while providing a response to COVID-19 that respects the science and protects our residents.”