Showing posts with label Capital Improvement Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Capital Improvement Program. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee Updates

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met this morning and discussed the following issues:

Executives Recommended FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program and the FY11 Capital Budget for selected projects (section 7 in the Executives Recommended CIP)
For agenda item #1, the MFP Committee focused on a few projects, namely, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, asbestos abatement for the County government, environmental compliance for the County government and facility planning for the County government. In addition, the Committee discussed other general government projects within the Department of General Services. David Dise, Director of the Department of General Services, was present for this portion of the meeting.

Executive Regulation No. 23-09, Amendments to Montgomery County Personnel Regulations, Probationary Period for Noncompetitive Reappointments
For agenda item #2, the MFP Committee accepted the Executive’s proposed amendments to the Montgomery County Personnel Regulations (MCPR) to amend Section 7 of the 2001 Personnel Regulations. These amendments clarify under what circumstances an employee who receives a noncompetitive appointment must serve a probationary period.

Executive Regulation No. 28-09, Amendments to Montgomery County Personnel Regulations, Gain Sharing Program and Performance Based Pay for Employees
For agenda item #3, the MFP Committee supported the Executive’s proposed amendments to the Montgomery County Personnel Regulations (MCPR) to amend Section 10 of the 2001 Personnel Regulations. These regulations deal with the “Gain Sharing Awards Program.” Specifically, the amendment states that any decision by the Review Panel or the Chief Administrative Officer relating to the “gain sharing” program cannot be grieved or appealed.

Bill to conform to State Ethics Commission requirement
For agenda item #4, the MFP Committee discussed a bill that would amend the County ethics law to conform to a State Ethics Commission requirement and clarify and update other provisions of County law. The Committee discussed issues involving gifts to the offices of Councilmembers and financial disclosure requirements.

Bill 12-09 Ethics Ex parte Communications
For agenda item #5, the MFP Committee postponed this agenda item for discussion at a future date.

In addition to Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the MFP Committee meeting.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Statement of Duchy Trachtenberg on the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget Proposed by Executive

"I was absolutely thrilled to see the County Executive's strong support for Montgomery County schools in the CIP. This is the right time to be making these types of visionary decisions. We have a world-class school system that has earned Montgomery County the reputation of being one of the best, if not the best, place for children to grow, learn and achieve their potential. I strongly support the County Executive's CIP," stated Duchy Trachtenberg.

County Executive Ike Leggett transmitted to the County Council the Recommended FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program on January 15, 2010. The recommendation maintains Montgomery County's commitment to quality education by supporting critical school capacity, modernization, capital maintenance, and health and safety projects in our public schools. The County Executive increased the local share of school funding by $220.4 million, over a 21% increase. Moreover, the general obligation bond funding for school facilities increased by over $217 million, a 29.4% increase which reflects the high priority given to the Montgomery County school system. The $1.485 billion CIP budget for schools represents a 16.8% increase from the most recent $1.271 billion six year program. It should be noted that the County Executive funded 99.1% of the Board of Education's original six-year request. This shows solid support for our county's public education system in light of the economic recession.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee.

To view the complete FY11-16 CIP, click here.

Friday, January 15, 2010

County Executive Unveils Six-year Capital Construction Budget

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today unveiled his six-year capital construction budget that significantly enhances school construction in Montgomery County. Leggett’s recommendation funds more than 99 percent of the Board of Education’s request, which in FY11 draws on about 58 percent of all general obligation bonds issued for that year. This represents a 16.8 percent increase for schools to nearly $1.5 billion. Education is Leggett’s highest priority, and he has reprioritized available resources to maximize support of public education. This Capital Improvements Project (CIP) will add 118 classrooms for nine schools, build a new elementary and new middle school, and reopen two holding schools. The announcement was made at Paint Branch High School, where, in 2012, a new building will replace the current 1940s school.

Despite the difficult economic times, exceptionally low construction prices have allowed the County Executive to take a long-term view on critically needed school infrastructure. By funding investments now, the County will save millions of dollars in future construction costs as the economy recovers.

Leggett is proposing a $3.9 billion fiscal year (FY) 2011-2016 CIP budget that keeps an overall spending increase of 4.5 percent while accelerating replacement of the County’s critical Traffic Management System and moving important public safety, affordable housing, infrastructure preservation, transportation, economic development and environmental protection projects forward. The proposed CIP mirrors the shared priorities of the Executive and the community.

“Our region is facing continuing tough economic times that demand a prudent approach to budgeting,” said Leggett. “We have had to make hard choices and make every dollar count to meet the challenges of today while investing in the future. Despite these constraints, this CIP supports my priorities for excellence in local education at the K-12 levels. I am increasing funding for school construction and modernization by nearly 17 percent, while staying within the County Council’s Spending Affordability Guidelines.

“We had to make some tough choices in this CIP, and there are many needs that remain unmet. However, our operating budget, which depends not on the County’s borrowing program, but on tax revenues, remains a huge challenge during this economic downturn. Already, I have sent savings plans for this fiscal year totaling $100 million to the County Council and in March, the operating budget for the upcoming year will propose further cuts to close a $608 million gap.”

For the complete press release, click here.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board Meeting in Germantown

The Trachtenberg Office was represented last night at the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meeting that took place at the Up-County Regional Services Center in Germantown.

At the meeting, Advisory Board members discussed CIP Priorities, the Life Sciences/Gaithersburg West Master Plan, and Code Enforcement legislation, pending before the County Council.

The Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meets monthly at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, located at 12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1000, in Germantown, Maryland