City of Gaithersburg FY12 Budget Hearing, Work Session & Adoption

Proposed FY2012 Gaithersburg Budget Available for Review

Gaithersburg, MD  (April 11, 2011).  Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones has proposed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget of $47.8 million, which is 8.4% higher than the FY 2011 budget.  While property tax revenue has remained relatively flat and funding from other government sources has decreased, the City is anticipating increased revenue from licensing and permitting fees and services charges as previously stalled development projects begin moving forward.

Highlights include a 1.6% cost of living adjustment and a stipend for full time employees, funding post-retirement benefits at recommended levels, increasing staffing to address stormwater management, development, information technology and communication needs, increased funding for human services, a reserve fund for potential increases in fuel costs, and a more robust capital improvement plan that maintains and enhances the City’s infrastructure.  

“Our relative health comes from our commitment to long range planning,” says City Manager Jones in her official letter introducing the budget.  “Two years ago when the budget crisis loomed, the elected leadership of this City had the foresight to look five years in to the future, forging a plan that would meet the needs of the community while at the same time ensuring our economic solvency.  Because of our conservative planning, our supreme efforts to reduce expenses, and our thoughtful consideration of future needs, we are on target to meet our five year projections, without municipal debt, while maintaining one of the lowest municipal property tax rates in the state.”

The City Manager’s introductory letter and the FY 2012 proposed budget are posted on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/budget.

The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2012 budget on Monday, May 2, 2011, with a budget work session scheduled for Tuesday, May 3.  Public comment, limited to 3 minutes per person, is welcome at these meetings, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 31 South Summit Avenue.  Pre-registration is not required.  The meetings will be televised live.  Check the City’s website for schedule updates.  Public comment may also be made via e-mail to cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov or in writing to:  City Hall, 31 S. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877.  The record closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011.

The Mayor and City Council will vote on the finalized budget at their regular meeting on June 6, 2011.  The adopted budget for FY 2012 takes effect July 1, 2011.