Ulman put $27 million into a contingency fund pending agreement on the plan for the Mount Hebron High School renovation, now estimated at $57 million .
That drew approvals from school officials and Cindy Ardinger, a leader of the Help Mount Hebron group.
"I think he made the right decision," she said, although some dissatisfied residents asked Ulman last month to delay the project.
"My understanding is that if we're not totally in line with the community's concerns, we're extremely close," said Frank Aquino, school board chairman.
The school board is to get a presentation on Mount Hebron at its April 10 meeting.
Aquino and Ray Brown, county schools' chief operating officer, said they had no complaints about Ulman's budget proposal.
County budget director Ray Wacks said the county collected $30 million in real estate transfer tax last year and budgeted for $2 million less this fiscal year. So far, however, projections are down an additional $6 million below projections.
County council chairman Courtney Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat, said her district is getting a lot in this budget. The new Miller library, fire station, and additions at Elkridge and Northfield elementary schools are in her district. Renovations are also planned at Waterloo and Clemens Crossing Elementary schools, in other districts.
"It's long overdue, I think," she said.
Ulman's plan to buy $4 million worth of office space in the proposed Meridian Square office building in Oakland Mills, renovate the George Howard building and sell two undeveloped tracts the county owns in Ellicott City are likely to produce a fight among council members.
"We still don't have the details on what the plans are" for the projects, said councilman Greg Fox, a Fulton Republican.
larry.carson@baltsun.com
