(4/2022) Spring is here! Traditionally, this is the time of year to focus on renewal and new beginnings.

At Frederick County Government, spring is the time when we plan for a new budget year, setting our community priorities for the coming fiscal year. Preparing the budget is the most important responsibility I have as County Executive. After gathering input from the public through our Balancing Act survey and public hearing, I am now putting the finishing touches on my proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which starts July 1.

Last month I gave a preview of projects that will be part of our capital budget. There was lots of good news to share! A record nine school construction projects are included in the upcoming year, along with fire stations, three new library branches, body cameras for the Sheriff’s Office, and construction of a new medical unit for the Adult Detention Center.

Of particular interest in the northern part of Frederick County, initial work will begin on the Richard W. Kanode Farm Park and a new North County Regional Park in Emmitsburg. A limited renovation for Thurmont Elementary School will enclose some of the open space classrooms, upgrade major systems like HVAC, improve technology and provide an overall facelift. A larger shelter for Animal Control is being designed, and multiple road and bridge projects also are scheduled.

Thanks to the County’s purchase of a large property off Route 15 in the City of Frederick, several projects – totaling $6.9 million – are no longer needed and those costs have been eliminated from the County’s six-year Capital Improvement Plan. I believe we need to live within our means, so the budget is based on the same tax rate that has been in place for my entire administration.

Stay tuned for more good news when I unveil the operating budget on April 14.

American Rescue Plan Act

I want to provide an update on how Frederick County is investing the $50.4 million in federal funds we received through the American Rescue Plan Act. This is a lot of money! These funds provides a unique opportunity for us to invest wisely to lift our community and strengthen our economy.

Federal guidelines restrict how the funds can and cannot be used. For instance, we cannot us the funds to reduce taxes, pay debt service or invest in our pension plan. Instead, these funds are intended to support our ongoing health response and to help our community recover from physical and financial stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. They represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create generational changes!

So where is this money going?

• First, we are continuing to support our public health response with some of these funds used to purchase Covid-19 rapid test kits that have been passed out at our library branches.
• Second, to support our economic recovery funds have been provided to the Tourism Council of Frederick and the Arts Council to help these hard hit industries recover. $500,000 is being invested in Agriculture Innovation Grants to support our agriculture industry.
• We are also supporting our seniors, veterans, and disable homeowners through funds provided to three organizations to provide home repairs and retrofits so seniors and people with disabilities can continue to live in their homes. Advocates for the Aging will provide assisted devices and equipment to support seniors remaining in their homes as will Habitat for Humanity. Rebuilding Together Frederick County will provide home repairs for low income seniors, veterans and disabled homeowner. These are all trusted community organizations. If you know someone who would benefit from these retrofits or repairs, you can contact these organizations directly. We are also partnering with Frederick Health Hospital to provide comprehensive home based care for low income seniors as well as conduct a feasibility study to apply for a state sponsored Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). We are investing in vans to transport food including Meals on Wheels to senior households through our senior services division. The number of households requesting food support increased dramatically during the pandemic.
• The pandemic highlighted the importance of the internet and the need to be connected for work, education, and virtual doctor’s appointments. Funds are being invested to establish a Broadband Office to apply for state/federal grants to extend broadband connectivity to unserved areas of the county. We have recently applied for a grant that would build out broadband along a crescent shaped area of land from Sabillasville, through Emmitsburg, and then to Rocky Ridge.
• To strengthen families, funds are being invested in Family Connects, a universal nurse home visiting program for newborns and their families. This program will connect families needing ongoing or additional support services with those resources and will follow the family as long as needed. This program has over a decade of data demonstrating stronger families, a reduction in adverse childhood experiences, and children doing better in school.

You can find more information about these programs and more at www.frederickcountymd.gov/ARPA.

As I write this, it is chilly and blustery outside. Like you, I look forward to beautiful warm spring days, blooming flowers, and outdoor events including our popular Easter Egg roll sponsored by Frederick County Parks and Recreation at historic Rosehill Manor. Hope to see you out and about soon!