$5 Billion FY 2023 Budget Passed Unanimously By County Council
“People’s Budget Approved”
By County Executive Angela Alsobrooks
(Excerpted From Community Connections Special Edition June 6, 2022)
Dear Prince Georgians,
Today, we are proud to announce that the County Council has unanimously approved the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget. This budget focuses on key investments that support residents and communities in Prince George’s County and reflects caution and fiscal discipline as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, while making historic investments that will benefit all Prince Georgians.
Despite the challenges we are all facing at the moment, we know that we are in a time of rising opportunity in Prince George’s County. This budget will help us meet the moment and ensure we unlock opportunities for all of our communities, some of which have missed out on opportunities for far too long.
While this budget is cautious and disciplined, it still makes historic and critical investments to support Prince Georgians, and we are confident that our County can continue to responsibly make progress to benefit our residents. Our goal is to continue to take steps forward on our Proud Priorities which have helped guide us through a time of hardship, and now into this time of rising opportunity.
The FY 2023 budget includes $5 billion in operating funds, an increase of $450 million or 9.9% over the FY 2022 budget. The General Fund totals $4.2 billion, an increase of $405 million or 10.7% over the FY 2022 budget. This budget includes $4.2 billion in revenues, the largest portion of which comes from outside aid to support the Board of Education. Some of the major highlights of the FY 2023 budget include:
Education:
Board of Education - $2.63 billion
An increase of $286.3 million or 12.2% over the FY 2022 budget
County contribution is $847 million
$15 million in operating funds for the Alternative Construction Finance Program for school construction
Prince George’s Community College - $126.8 million
Memorial Library System - $35.5 million
Reducing Violent Crime:
Supporting Police Department recruitment:
Funding for two new recruit classes for the Police Department - $5 million
New recruitment incentives for police officers - $640,000
Develop an efficient and improved recruitment process for public safety - $51,000
Five new positions (Deputy Director of Forensic Sciences, two Chemists, two Crime Scene Investigators)
New equipment investments to support crime fighting efforts, including license plate readers - $1.5 million
Two new boards as required by the Maryland Police Accountability Act to improve public trust in law enforcement:
Police Accountability Board – three positions (two existing positions from CCOP and a Community Developer position)
Administrative Charging Committee – six new positions as well as support for stipends
Beautification:
Various litter reduction programs - $3.3 million
Includes anti-litter public education, surveillance of illegal dumping sites, signage for illegal dumping sites and trash and litter removal from local waterways
Increased funding ($500,000) for Clean Lot Program - $2.4 million
Helps clean properties that are overgrown or have become dumping sites
Solid Waste Management Fund - $126.4 million
Supports “Clear the Curb” initiative, providing new and improved waste collection services in an environmentally friendly way
Includes new curbside bulky trash collection program
Flooding Investments:
Local Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund - $20.6 million
Supports water quality and flood mitigation projects around local watersheds
Increased funding ($4.2 million) for Stormwater Management Fund - $95.9 million
Supports water quality programs and helps mitigate flooding
Stormwater Management Capital Improvement Program - $149.8 million
Funds multiple flood protection projects across the County
Economic Development:
Economic development agencies - $9.5 million
Funding to Redevelopment Authority to revitalize neighborhoods, particularly within the Beltway, with a focus on transit-oriented, mixed-income and mixed-use development - $21 million
Support to increase procurement opportunities and technical assistance to small, minority-owned and County-based businesses - $100,000
Permitting and Inspections:
Funding for the various IT initiatives including the Momentum Permitting and Licensing System, permit queuing system and Project Dox - $4 million
Increased resources for staff augmentation to support engineering consultants and commercial inspections - $850,000
Affordable Housing:
Strengthen the Housing Investment Trust Fund to address housing affordability issues - $10 million
Funding to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing for current low-income residents - $6 million
Create a long-term framework for Housing Opportunities for All Workgroup - $205,000
Health & Human Services:
Department of Family Services:
Reinforce efforts to provide safe housing for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking - $1.5 million
Increased funding for veteran outreach services through Office of Veterans Affairs - $457,300
Food Distribution Coordinator to better coordinate food distribution programs - $100,000
Expansion of Prince George’s Health Assures Program to cover 50,000 uninsured residents in the County - $13 million (over three years)
Other Notable Investments:
Department of Public Works & Transportation
Funding to further Vision Zero efforts - $63,000
Enhance bus services in high-need areas - $750,000
Re-entry programs to reduce recidivism - $1.5 million
FY 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program Highlights:
Board of Education - $1.2 billion
School construction and other improvements for staff and students
Public Works & Transportation - $591.3 million
Bridge replacements, pedestrian safety and road improvements
Stormwater Management - $503 million
Flood protection and drainage improvements, stream restorations and restoration of impervious areas
Prince George’s Community College - $267 million
Building renovations, including renovating the student center
We want to thank the County Council for their partnership that allowed us to pass a budget that will be beneficial for all Prince Georgians. With this budget, I am truly excited about the future of Prince George’s County. Together, we can continue working to achieve an even brighter future and ensure this time of rising opportunity lifts up all of Prince George’s County for generations to come.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
