This week, Prince George’s County Council unanimously approved a $5 billion budget for fiscal year 2023.

The budget prioritizes schools, safe neighborhoods, economic development and improving the quality of life for county residents. The fiscal year 2023 budget for all funds is $5.0 billion, an increase of $550 million or 9.9% over the fiscal year 2022 budget.

“Despite the challenges we are all facing right now, we know we are going through a time of growing opportunity in Prince George’s County,” said County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “This budget will help us face the moment and ensure that we unlock opportunities for all of our communities, some of which have missed opportunities for far too long.

The general fund totals $4.2 billion, an increase of $405 million or 10.7% over the fiscal year 2022 budget. This budget includes $4.2 billion in revenue, the largest of which part comes from outside aid to support the Board of Education.

“It has been two difficult years. Yet, despite our extraordinary challenges, this new spending plan, which I continue to call ‘the people’s budget’, gives Georgian princes more hope for our future than at any time since March 2020,” said the chairman of the board, Calvin S. Hawkins, II. “I want to thank the brave-hearted people of Prince George’s County for their extraordinary resilience and their partnership with us to keep our communities safe and well-being. You make our progress possible.

Here are some of the key highlights of the fiscal year 2023 budget:

Education

• Board of Education – $2.63 billion
  • An increase of $286.3 million or 12.2% over the fiscal year 2022 budget
  • County contribution is $847 million
  • $15 million in operating funds for the Alternative Construction Financing Program for school construction
• Prince George Community College – $126.8 million
• Memorial Library System – $35.5 million

Reduce violent crime

• Support for the recruitment of the gendarmerie:
  • Funding two new classes of recruits for the police department – ​​$5 million
  • New recruiting incentives for police officers – $640,000
  • Develop an effective and improved recruitment process for public safety – $51,000
• Five new positions (assistant director of forensic science, two chemists, two crime scene investigators)
• Investments in new equipment to support crime fighting efforts, including license plate readers – $1.5 million
• Two new tips, as required by the Maryland Police Accountability Act, to improve public confidence in law enforcement:
  • Police Accountability Board – three positions (two existing CCOP positions and one community developer position)
  • Administrative Load Committee – six new positions as well as support for stipends

Embellishment

• Various waste reduction programs – $3.3 million
  • Includes anti-littering public education, monitoring illegal dumping sites, flagging illegal dumping sites, and removing litter and waste from local waterways
• Increased funding ($500,000) for the Clean Lot program – $2.4 million
  • Helps clean up properties that are overgrown or have become dumps
• Solid Waste Management Fund – $126.4 million
  • Supports the “Clear the Curb” initiative, providing new and improved waste collection services in an environmentally friendly way
    • Includes a new curbside bulky waste collection program

Flood investments

• Local Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund – $20.6 million
  • Supports water quality and flood mitigation projects around local watersheds
• Increased funding ($4.2 million) for the Stormwater Management Fund – $95.9 million
  • Supports water quality programs and helps mitigate flooding
• Stormwater Management Capital Improvement Program – $149.8 million
  • Funds several flood protection projects throughout the county

Economic development

• Economic Development Agencies – $9.5 million
• Funding for the Redevelopment Authority to revitalize neighborhoods, particularly in the Beltway, with a focus on transit-oriented, mixed-income and mixed-use development – $21 million
• Support to Increase Procurement Opportunities and Technical Assistance to Minority-Owned, County-Based Small Businesses – $100,000
• Permits and Inspections:
  • Funding for various IT initiatives, including the Momentum Permit and Licensing System, Permit Queuing System, and Project Dox – $4 million
  • Increased resources for staff augmentation to support engineering consultants and trade inspections – $850,000

affordable housing

• Strengthening the Housing Investment Trust Fund to address housing affordability issues – $10 million
• Funding to preserve natural affordable housing for current low-income residents – $6 million
• Create a long-term framework for the Housing Opportunities for All Task Force – $205,000

Health and social services

• Department of Family Services:
  • Strengthen efforts to provide safe housing for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking – $1.5 million
  • Increased funding for Veteran Outreach Services through the Veterans Affairs Bureau – $457,300
• Food Distribution Coordinator to better coordinate food distribution programs – $100,000
• Expanding Prince George’s Health Asures program to cover 50,000 uninsured county residents – $13 million (over three years)

Other Notable Investments

• Department of Public Works and Transport
  • Funding to continue Vision Zero efforts – $63,000
  • Improving bus services in high-needs areas – $750,000
• Reintegration programs to reduce recidivism – $1.5 million

Highlights of the capital improvement program for fiscal year 2023-2028

• Board of Education – $1.2 billion
  • Construction of schools and other improvements for staff and students
• Public works and transportation – $591.3 million
  • Replacement of bridges, pedestrian safety and road improvements
• Stormwater management – ​​$503 million
  • Flood protection and drainage improvements, stream restoration and restoration of impermeable areas
• Prince George Community College – $267 million
  • Building renovations, including the renovation of the student center

Visit the Prince George’s County website for more information.