The Baltimore County Council approved a $1.99 billion operating budget for the 2017 fiscal year Thursday that contains no increases in property or income tax rates.
The fiscal year begins July 1.
"I thank the members of the County Council for their partnership in approving this fiscally prudent budget," Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said in a statement. "Without raising tax rates, it propels us forward in modernizing our school buildings; enhances public safety, including providing body-worn cameras for our police officers; and enables us to maintain our critical infrastructure and the good quality of life our residents enjoy."
Schools are the focus of the budget, according to County Councilman Tom Quirk, who represents District 1, which includes Catonsville and Arbutus. While elected officials had shared concerns about air conditioning, infrastructure and overcrowding in county public schools, Quirk is happy to see that the council is "throwing the whole kitchen sink at the problem," he said.
"It's a budget that clearly demonstrates that Baltimore County is putting their money where their mouth is," he added.
More than half of the county's $373 million capital budget for fiscal 2017 will be devoted to public school renovation and construction projects. The $195.7 million figure does not include a $39 million supplement to accelerate the installation of air conditioning at six schools. Kamenetz plans to ask the council to approve the supplemental money in July, so that the projects can be completed by fall 2018.
The public has made improving county schools a top priority, said County Councilman David Marks, who represents District 3. As younger families are moving into his district from Baltimore City, education has become a key attraction for them, Marks said.
All but one of the schools in his district, which includes Towson, will have air conditioning by the start of the 2017-18 school year, he said.
"This seems like a very basic amenity that schools really should have had many years ago," Marks added.
Much of the capital funding will be devoted to schools in southwest Baltimore County, to the delight of Quirk, who said he believes the funding will improve the area, particularly in Lansdowne, where a new Lansdowne Elementary School and a renovated Lansdowne High School are in the works.
"It's a huge win," he said. "I think it really does bode well for southwest Baltimore County for years and years to come."
In a statement, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance said the council members are champions for public education in the county.
"Their enduring support for Baltimore County Public Schools is exceptional and makes a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and this county," Dance stated. "Their support is essential to the continued growth of our school system and to the building and maintenance of positive learning environments across the county. I thank them for their work today and every day on behalf of our children and our future."
Additional budget highlights include $76.8 million to support health and human services, homeless programs, support for seniors, housing opportunities and assistance to victims of domestic violence, along with $52.8 million to support culture and leisure in the county. County government employees will receive a 2 percent cost of living raise in the new fiscal year.
In the capital budget, additional highlights include $2.7 million to improve or repair athletic fields, including those at Catonsville High School, and $1 million for capital improvements to the Catonsville, Towson, Randallstown and Reisterstown branch libraries.
Baltimore Sun Media Group reporter Rachael Pacella contributed to this report.