Pr. George's Approves 11% Rise In Spending

A majority of council members rejected efforts to slightly cut the property tax rate.

Chair Calvin Ball (D-East Columbia) said the property tax reduction was less of a priority than improving county services.

"I think it wouldn't have been as significant to our constituents as the people we're bringing in -- for the school system, police and firefighters," Ball said.

Watson said she was reflecting the wishes of her constituents when she tried to remove community college funding for Belmont, an estate that has a retreat and conference center surrounded by Patapsco Valley State Park. Ulman included $2.2 million to help the college secure its purchase of Belmont and $2.82 million to renovate a barn and carriage house on the property. The college wants to use Belmont for its culinary arts and hospitality management programs, but nearby residents contend that the college's operations will degrade the estate's character.

In her district, Watson said, "the citizens have spoken very strongly against the project."

The Montgomery County Council is expected to approve the county's budget today, with nearly half earmarked for the public school system.

The budget includes increases for most departments. It provides $1.98 billion for schools, about $7 million less than the school system requested but about 7 percent more than its current budget. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) had proposed about $20 million less than Superintendent Jerry D. Weast's request. Council members worked with school officials to narrow the difference.

The budget also would add 30 police patrol officers for $1.8 million; expand the county's Mobile Crisis Team to respond to mental health emergencies 24 hours a day for $253,000; and increase health care for the uninsured by $11.4 million. Funding to Montgomery College would increase by $20 million, or 9 percent.

The spending document reflects an increase of 7.1 percent, or $277 million, above the $3.9 billion budget approved by the council last year. Leggett predicts tougher times next year and said he anticipates a $269 million funding gap that will need to be closed before any additions are made to next year's budget.

Charles County's commissioners on Tuesday approved a $302.3 million general fund budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The adopted budget includes a spending increase of 10.5 percent over the current fiscal year and marks the first time the Southern Maryland jurisdiction's expenditures have passed the $300 million mark.

Anne Arundel and St. Mary's officials are expected to take action on their county budgets next week, and Calvert commissioners will vote in June.

Staff writers Miranda Spivack and Phil Rucker contributed to this report.