County Council Holds Budget Conversation with Residents At Well Attended, Upbeat Session

By Raoul Dennis

Photography By Raoul Dennis and Carol Day

Not that there is any expectation of Kumbaya moments at any budget hearing. It’s common knowledge that for every penny to be spent on a given area there is an argument for it and an equal and opposing argument against it. It’s the nature of things. Like cat and mouse, like the mongoose and the snake: budget battles have a ying and yang makeup that typically lead to tough confrontation.

But the budget hearing held at Prince George’s Community College Feb. 25 which had an appreciable attendance, seemed to have a different tone than most.

In the lead off of the hearing, analysts shared news of the county’s proposed budget and standing. The county’s financial standing and economic outlook reported by the Office of Management and Budget Director Stanley Earley and Deputy County Auditor Turkessa Green are on sound footing and improving. The county continues to lead the state in jobs and growth.

“The county is growing at 1% - still higher than the state’s growth,” said Earley. He affirmed that the steady, consistent growth of the county is a positive sign in light of different trends regionally and nationally.

When he turned attention housing costs, looking back as far as 2009, Earley announced that the county’s home sales market has come back to its strengths prior to the 2008 economic crash – and is still improving.

“We’re seeing that we have recovered and doing OK. Not spectacularly, but OK. Actually, I think that’s pretty solid. I would rather be in that position than spike up, down, up and down,” he said.

Residents who addressed the council, well informed on the issues and goals of the county, did so with a sense of balance as they approached their individual concerns.

“We know that the blueprint is a heavy lift,” said Michele Clark of the costs of the $4 billion education plan. “[But] the most important thing for us is to build for our future. And if you read at the entire blueprint one of the things they found is the higher salaries people can earn after the better education they are getting, it will pay for itself in 10 years. So we invest now and we get the payback later. As a homeowner, I’m the first one to say I don’t want to see my taxes going up but at the same time I know the importance of our future.”

Resident’s willingness to be respectful of both sides of budget questions and requests established a thoughtful and balanced evening of discussion (click here to view the hearing).

The testimony of one young resident and his mother drew the considerable attention of the entire body and a standing ovation that included county councilmembers.

Ten-year-old Noah Millhouse, who has been speaking publicly since age 5, was led by his mother, Delores Millhouse. Noah called on councilmembers to put education first (click here for full story, “My Name Is Noah”).

“Adults are always saying that a good education is key to making your dreams come true,” Noah said. “Do you all believe this?”

Delores Millhouse introduced herself as a long time public advocate for education and her public addresses are typically at the state level. But she and her son, Noah had a slightly different mission on this night.

“It’s very important to understand that [decisions] we make to our budget is an investment in our children,” she said. Millhouse explained that the industries and career paths that need a pipeline of future talent, demand attention within those pipelines today. “I’m also a businesswoman. The most important commodity I have are my children. The investment we make in the public school system means that I don’t have to go to Washington International School and pay $42,000 when I pay taxes here. The budget that board of education has sent to you is an investment not only in my child but in the teachers and the staff that run the school.”

Millhouse said concerns about how find money to pay more for education concerns her.

“What are you going to do to close that gap,” she said. “It’s time for us to make a move. I’m asking you what’s more important than an investment now that will help grow our future leaders for tomorrow. This is expanding a footprint beyond Prince George’s County – I’m looking for the global one. What are you all investing in?”

A number of topics were discussed by residents. They include: TRIM, environmental issues (specifically plastic bags), transparency in gaming revenue, and even sign language use and access in public spaces.

“We will oppose the use of any funding other than the currently existing FedEx Stadium for any football stadium…so it has to stay there or forget it,” said Sarah Cavitt, president of the Indian Head Highway Area Action Council.

Nicholas C. Orrick opposes the Brandywine area power plant and discussed toxic pollution, environmental justice. There is an elementary school within a 13-mile radius of the proposed plant. “Do we really need another power plant?” “The jobs argument is shallow since only a handful of people are required to operate these plants, most of the jobs are just for the construction phase.” He said most of the permanent jobs are outside the county.

“I’m asking that the county not offer any tax incentives to the builder of the proposed Mattawoman power plant,” Orrick said.

Henry Turner, former candidate for county executive and a former president of the Reserve Homeowners Association led a group of southern county residents in their quest for greater funds for fire and safety. “We have grown and are continuing to grow,” Turner said of the area. “There are $600,000 to $6 million homes scattered throughout our communities. We look like parts of Potomac and Bethesda communities. Except we lack the infrastructure and fire sand safety to adequately protect our residents. Fire can cause devastation and it has to our neighbors. One family, in December, [saw] their entire house burn down – they lost everything. In January, we saw another house burn down in Accokeek. This must never happen again. Our residents’ lives are important enough to ensure that adequate fire and safety are available to everyone.”

For a full review of all topics discussed and comments made at the hearing, click here.