City Expects 8 Percent Rise in Revenue; Employees To Get Raises

An increase in state and federal grants during the upcoming fiscal year is expected to lift Gaithersburg's revenue about 8 percent, leaving enough money to give city employees raises.

The city expects to bring in $3.8 million more this year compared to fiscal 2012, with more than half of that--$2.7 million--coming from inter-governmental grants.

Employees are expected to get about a 3.6 percent raise, the Gazette reports. That would be about 2 percent more than they received in fiscal 2012.

But there is still time for the public to weigh in and let the city know how it should spend its money.

City Manager Angel Jones posted a letter on the city's website asking for input.

"If you have an opinion, a request or a suggestion, now is the time to express it.  As we move through the Fiscal Year 13 budget planning process, we encourage our residents and businesses to provide input and feedback."

The city also expects to bring in more than $1 million more from speed cameras--a program which it is expanding with, who are pushing for more relaxed restrictions on the program.

The proposed budget will be posted on the city's website on April 12, and a public hearing will be held on April 30.

The final budget won't be adopted until June 4.