Howard County Executive James N. Robey unveiled a $98 million capital budget proposal yesterdaythat is 24 percent smaller than this fiscal year's, but fueled by enough surplus cash to plan for a new Fulton high school, a disputed in-line skating pavilion and a new Ellicott Mills Middle School.
Robey said he resisted seeking more in order to begin reducing the county's $400 million debt -- a burden that would cost $45 million in operating budget cash just in interest payments next fiscal year.
"I thought I knew all about budgets from my other life [as police chief]," he said at a news conference in his office, adding that he was surprised to be "deluged with requests" far beyond the county's capacity to pay.
The key to the debt-reduction strategy is the use of $26 million in surplus cash to limit bond sale borrowing to $25 million a year -- a level Raymond S. Wacks, the budget director, said would slice $5 million to $6 million off the county's debt, depending on interest rates.
The budget -- adorned with projects such as a $4.4 million renovation of the central library in Columbia and a new senior center and library expansion in Ellicott City -- appeared to please County Council members and school officials, but Robey's resolve may be tested next spring, when the construction bill for some of the larger projects begun with small amounts of planning money will come due.
According to the document Robey distributed, his request for the next fiscal year would balloon 39 percent for the year starting July 1, 2000. For example, $5 million requested for a new emergency radio network for county public safety agencies is the down payment on a $20 million system.
The $1.9 million included for the new southeastern county high school plans would require $28 million for construction over the next two years, though the state would pay part of the cost.
Robey postponed funding for a proposed western county golf course and money for new sidewalks, saying that more time is needed to develop policies for sidewalk construction and determining the need for another public golf course.
As a new executive, Robey said, he wants to reform the capital budget system to develop a better long-range program and eliminate projects postponed year after year but never dropped from the budget.
Although he made no vow to maintain the $25 million-a-year borrowing ceiling during the next few years, he promised to try.
Reactions to the proposed budget were positive.
"We're very happy with it," said school Superintendent Michael E. Hickey.
"I'm ecstatic. I'm out of my mind" with excitement about the library renovations, said west Columbia Councilwoman Mary C. Lorsung, a Democrat. The building has a leaky roof and pre-computer-era wiring and badly needs new equipment, furniture and a reconfiguration of space, officials say.
"I'm really happy to hear about the 800 megahertz [emergency radio system]," said Christopher J. Merdon, an Ellicott City Republican who also praised Robey's debt-reduction strategy and the plan for an Ellicott Mills Middle School. "I think it's very responsible," he said.
Council Chairman Vernon C. Gray, an east Columbia Democrat, also approved but said he wants to scrutinize how the $700,000 in planning funds for the new Blandair Park -- the 300-acre Smith farm that straddles Route 175 in east Columbia -- will be used. Gray said he fears that county recreation officials want "too much intense use on that parcel."
Twenty percent of the budget would pay for school projects -- including the expansion of Centennial High School and additions or renovations to Glenelg High, and Talbott Springs, St. Johns Lane, Pointers Run and Ilchester elementary schools. Planning money for a new Gateway School in Clarksville also was included, but construction was delayed because a new site hasn't been found.
Although Charles I. Ecker, the former county executive, resisted a new high school, Robey said he favors the project. "I don't see how we cannot build it," he said, noting projected enrollment growth and two large, mixed-use developments planned in the southeast.
"It's critical for my district," said Councilman Guy J. Guzzone, a Laurel-Savage Democrat whose children would attend the new school.
Money also was included for a police booking center at the county detention center to eliminate prisoner transportation to three locations after an arrest, and $18 million was included for renovations and maintenance of roads, bridges, storm drains, parks and buildings. An extra $100,000 would pay for completion of the Glenwood library on Route 97. "Nothing's being cut from that program," said county Public Works Director James Irvin.
Opponents of the in-line skating pavilion proposed for the Alpha Ridge Community Park in Marriottsville did not get their wish -- elimination of the project. Robey put $150,000 -- half the money -- in each of the next two fiscal years, though he said he would seek a compromise agreement with residents on night lighting.
He also said the county might begin locking public parks at night to ease residents' fears that a skating facility could become an after-hours hangout for rowdy youths.
Pub Date: 3/31/99