Montco 2015 budget would cut spending, hold taxes

Montgomery County's commissioners on Thursday presented a $371 million budget proposal for 2015 that would slightly cut expenditures while expanding services and holding the line on taxes.

While overall spending would decline 2.5 percent, most of that comes from cuts at Parkhouse, the county nursing facility privatized early this year.

The budget calls for an additional $1 million to the human services department, $818,000 more to Montgomery County Community College, and seven new adult-probation officers.

Nonunion employees would receive a 1 percent raise, and all employees would get an extra paycheck in 2015, at a cost of $5.2 million. The extra check is due to a calendar quirk that occurs every 11 or 12 years, but will not increase employees' base salary, said chief financial officer Uri Monson.

Total debt is expected to fall 1.8 percent, to $363 million, by the end of 2015. However, the county says new borrowing may be required for capital projects.

The reserve fund would remain above the recommended 10 percent level, and the county would make an additional $3.5 million contribution to its pension fund, which was 91.3 percent funded this year.

In addition to the general fund, the county projects $45.4 million in capital spending, and $6.2 million for open space.

After years of difficult cuts and reorganizations to repair the county's finances, Commissioner Leslie S. Richards said, "we're in a situation now where ... we don't feel like we're just catching up or putting out fires, but actually can move forward." Hearings on the budget are scheduled for Dec. 4, one after the 10 a.m. commissioners meeting, and the other at 4 p.m. A final vote is expected Dec. 18.