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County Executive’s Spending Plan Improves Schools, Public Safety, Roads and The Environment
Annapolis (May 31, 2005) - By a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Anne Arundel County Council passed the County budget this morning approving County Executive Janet S. Owens’ spending plan for fiscal year 2006.
"I thank the Council and our staff for all the hours of hard work to get this budget together and approved," said Ms. Owens. "The budget meets the needs of the citizens of Anne Arundel County and continues my commitment to public education, public safety and land preservation."
Board of Education
The FY 2006 Budget increased Board of Education (BOE) funding by $49.6 million, $800,000 more than the BOE’s request. The public education budget funds a 4% salary increase for teachers, the hiring of 147 new teachers and $13 million for new textbooks. It also fully funds the BOE’s $80.4 million Capital Budget request and accelerates the completion of the air conditioning project at Arundel High School.
Public Safety
The FY 2006 Budget will continue the County Executive’s commitment to improving public safety. Further strengthening the police department, the FY 2006 budget funds the hiring of 14 new officers and allocates $1 million to accelerate the installation of mobile date computers in every police vehicle.
The Fire Department will continue to best protect the citizens of the County with funds for more than 100 new personnel, the replacement of Marley Fire Station and $4.5 million for the design and construction of the Annapolis Neck Fire Station.
Roads
The FY 2006 budget tackles the decades-old road maintenance backlog with $20 million in new "one-time" funds. The County Executive also increased annual funding for road repairs by $6 million in this spending plan. Over the previous six years, Ms. Owens has increased the level of road construction funding by $67.5 million.
Agricultural Preservation
The FY 2006 budget continues the County Executive’s aggressive land preservation program and provides funds to preserve the 575 acre Contee Farm in Edgewater and the 400 acre Rockhold Creek Farm in West River. Since taking office, Ms. Owens has successfully preserved more than 11,400 acres from development.
Recreation and Park
To improve and enhance our Community Parks, the FY 2006 budget allocates $4.7 million in "one time" funding for 177 projects. The $4.7 million is over and above the usual funding of $1.2 million for park renovations and will address the backlog in park maintenance that has been deferred in the past due to more pressing capital needs.
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