FY21 Budget: Current Economic Realities

Many of you have reached out with concern about how the real estate tax rate originally advertised in February will affect families now struggling to make ends meet. I have heard those concerns, and I share them.

Seeing how the coronavirus has been affecting our community, my office has shifted the direction of our budget committee and re-aligned our priorities for the economic realities of now. That includes stepping away from the advertised $1.175 real estate tax rate. The County Executive is bringing a revised version of his $1.145 budget before the Board on Tuesday, with cost saving measures that reflect the revenue shortfalls projected in the wake of COVID19.

Hard choices remain ahead of us. We still must put together a budget which provides resources for the vital county services that are helping us through this crisis, even in the face of declining revenue projections.

I encourage you to participate in this vital dialogue from the safety of home, using the new remote Public Comment option for Tuesday’s Budget Hearings. Please note that the deadline to register is 5 pm, Monday April 13, and that as with in-person comment, you must sign up for each hearing individually. Thank you.