Council Approves Increases for Police, Housing

D.C. Council member Adrian M. Fenty talks with protesters who demanded the restoration of cuts the council made in the mental retardation agency's budget. (By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)

The D.C. Council unanimously approved yesterday a budget of $5.06 billion that provides money to hire 100 additional police officers and boosts funds for public schools and affordable housing programs.

Council members vigorously sparred over several changes to the fiscal 2007 funding request submitted by Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D). Most of the debate focused on an increase in the city's deed recordation and transfer tax and a move to rein in spending at the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration, an agency that serves some of the city's most vulnerable citizens.

The council approved a $104 million increase in school funding and $92 million more for human services programs.

"The council actions, particularly through the actions of our committees, carefully reviewed proposed expenditures to ensure that priority programs were properly funded," said council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D).

The budget, which requires congressional approval before it can take effect Oct. 1, is a 2 percent increase in local spending over last year. The total city budget, including federal funding, is $9 billion.

The council will hold a second and final vote on legislative language supporting the budget June 6.

At yesterday's meeting, affordable housing advocates, wearing bright red T-shirts, sat in the audience across from a group of developmentally challenged residents, who came with the Art and Drama Therapy Institute and sported yellow T-shirts and whimsical hats.

Council members agreed to increase the deed recordation and transfer tax for residential and commercial properties from 1.1 percent to 1.45 percent, with residential properties valued at $400,000 or less exempt from the increase. They allocated $7 million from the tax, which has been a key revenue source during the recent boom in the real estate market, to pay for 100 more police officers. The additional new revenue also went to fund affordable housing initiatives recommended by the city's housing task force.

Housing advocates objected to having $7 million diverted from their programs, but council members said public safety is a top priority for voters.

Eight of the 13 council members are seeking reelection or higher office this year, including three who are campaigning to replace Williams, who has decided not to run for a third term.

"If you come campaigning in Ward 1, the voters are going to say we want more police on the streets in our neighborhood," said council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).

D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey welcomed the council's action yesterday, saying he could use the extra officers to bolster patrols and increase the number of detectives. "I'm thankful for that," Ramsey said. "It's a good move."