East Columbia Democrat Calvin Ball called it a "stressful and challenging process," but said that the county is ready to begin negotiating a contract of sale for Meridian Square, and that should help the developer attract other buyers.
Sigaty, a West Columbia Democrat, supported Ulman's initiatives on recycling, the environment and on county purchase of one floor of the Meridian Square office building in Oakland Mills, but as the key swing vote, she extracted concessions from Ulman on that issue.
The executive, who sees the proposed four-story mixed-use building as a key boost to revitalizing the village center, agreed not to sign a purchase contract until at least 45 percent of the building is sold or leased to long-term tenants. He also agreed that the county would not pay more for the space than any other buyer, and to overhaul county parking regulations - a contentious point for several council members.
County taxpayers will pay more in property taxes because of rising state assessments, though property and income tax rates won't change. They'll also pay $50 a year more for trash and recycling services ($35 more in the western county), higher parking fines and water and sewer fees. Those increases will pay for expanding the county police by 24 positions, hiring 190 more school employees, purchasing 14 hybrid Howard Transit buses and starting the Healthy Howard health access plan for uninsured residents. The county is also setting aside $15 million for future retiree health benefits - a $477 million and growing liability.
Overall, county spending for the $1.4 billion operating budget is up 7.9 percent, lower than last year's 10.7 percent. Spending climbed a more modest 5.6 percent in the general fund operating budget, which consists of the $855 million of the budget supplied by county taxpayers, the second lowest increase in the last decade. Both property and income tax rates will remain unchanged, meaning higher tax bills for homeowners because of rising state assessments.
Pay raises of 5 percent for county teachers and police, six percent for county firefighters and 3 percent for other employees account for about $34.3 million in new spending. The capital budget for fiscal 2009 totals $421 million; including $27 million to begin renovations at Mount Hebron High School, part of an $80.5 million school construction component, plus $16.9 million for Howard Community College projects. Also included is $18.7 million for the proposed North Laurel park and community center, and $7.7 million to begin work on an expanded Miller Library and Historical Center in Ellicott City.
The new budgets take effect July 1.
larry.carson@baltsun.com
