Last week, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski proposed a $5 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 that includes no new taxes.
“We are proud to continue making record investments in education, public safety, and recreation and parks while sustaining our commitments to move Baltimore County forward with funding for our roadways, libraries, senior centers, open spaces, and attainable housing so that we can fulfill the promise of a better Baltimore County together,” Olszewski said in a statement.
About half of the budget would go toward funding Baltimore County Public Schools, including $41 million more than what’s required under state law. A total of $331 million is set aside for school infrastructure improvements, which will include additions to Patapsco High School.
The starting salary for teachers would be raised to $60,000, and community college tuition would be frozen for county residents for the sixth year in a row. The proposed budget would continue offering free tuition at CCBC schools to families earning $150,000 or less.
Olszewski’s proposal adopts the $2.58 billion spending plan that BCPS Superintendent Miriam Rogers requested earlier this year.
“This budget not only delivers on BCPS’ request, but goes even further to help deliver more bus drivers and more teachers to help reduce class sizes and give our children the attention they need and deserve to succeed throughout their educational careers,” Olszewski said.
Baltimore County’s public libraries would receive $35 million in state and local funds for projects, and $30 million of local, state and federal funding would be set aside for parks and open space.
The Department of Recreation and Parks would see its budget raised more than $6 million, which will create new positions in the department aimed at improving safety and access to parks and recreational facilities.
“As a result, our administration is delivering seven major new parks across Baltimore County within the next year — including finally cutting the ribbon for our newest skatepark at Hazelwood and the new Sparrows Point Park,” Olszewski said. “In addition, we will be opening two brand new, state-of-the-art Recreation Activity Centers in Rosedale and Middle River this year to ensure residents are better connected with opportunities to play, compete and learn.”
Cost-of-living salary adjustments for county employees are also included in the proposal.
To cover all of the capital improvements and budget increases, the county executive will be asking voters to approve $600 million in new borrowing through a ballot referendum this November. This is nearly $250 million more borrowing than was expected because inflationary pressures have driven up costs, Olszewski said. The referendum would include $22 million toward the Sparrows Point Fire Station.
The County Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed FY 2025 budget on May 23.
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