(5/2022) May is such a beautiful month! Frederick County comes alive with bright colors as our gardens, forests and meadows spring into bloom. Take some time this month to appreciate the gorgeous county we all call home. Visit one of our fabulous parks, take your child or grandchild to an outdoor storytime at your local library branch, or simply enjoy the vistas as you move around town.

At Frederick County Government, Spring means it is time to plan the next budget. Last month, I unveiled my people-centered budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. I am excited that we are making historic investments in education, safe communities, and agriculture preservation. At the same time, targeted tax cuts will provide relief to 60% of all income tax filers in Frederick County. For the eighth straight year, there is no increase to our property or income tax rates. Here are the highlights:

• Keeping the promise of public education with a record investment. The budget provides $35 million in new funding, including $1.6 million to provide Chromebooks for all elementary school students. The remaining $33.4 million will ensure we have the best teachers in our classrooms, aid recovery from the pandemic, and ensure the highest student outcomes. I also accelerated school construction projects. For the first time ever, nine school construction projects are advancing in the upcoming year.
   
• Ensuring safe communities by investing in public safety. This budget includes funds for body cameras and the new Police Accountability Board that the County is required to establish.
   
• Delivering a healthy Frederick with a full range of care for mental health and substance misuse. The County will expand our mobile crisis response team and allow us to build a crisis stabilization center.
   
• Leaving a legacy of agriculture for future generations. My budget more than doubles the funding for agriculture preservation. This allows us to reach Livable Frederick’s goal of preserving 100,000 acres as much as 10 years sooner!
   
• Advancing Seniors First initiatives to support the fastest-growing segment of our population. We will deliver food to vulnerable seniors, expand paratransit to take seniors to medical appointments and dialysis, and make the popular Virtual Senior Center a permanent offering.
   
• Valuing County workers. Our public servants are on the front line delivering effective and efficient services each and every day. By providing competitive pay, we can attract and retain employees to our hard-to-fill positions, such as CDL drivers and nurses.
   
• Providing targeted income tax relief for those who need it most, our seniors and ALICE households. Residents who file "single status" returns will qualify if they earn $50,000 or less a year, as will those who file joint returns and earn $100,000 a year or less. About 80,000 Frederick County tax filers will see a 7% reduction in their income taxes.

I am proud that Frederick County lives within our means while providing outstanding services. You can find a detailed copy of the entire budget at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.

My budget invests in what matters most. We are keeping the promise of public education, ensuring safe communities, improving public health, valuing our rich history and protecting our agricultural heritage, and advancing the overarching vision and priorities found in Livable Frederick.

Community Partnership Grants

We are blessed in Frederick County to have so many human service nonprofits working to make life better for everyone. Seven years ago, I launched the Community Partnership Grants program to restore the county’s longstanding partnership with these agencies. Working together, we can leverage resources, avoid duplication of effort, and establish a strong collaboration to meet the human service needs in our community. The county saves tax dollars working with these community organizations through early intervention and prevention.

This year, I was pleased to announce Community Partnership Grants to 27 nonprofits doing important work. For instance, the Mission of Mercy will use a grant to provide medical care for seniors. The Seton Center uses its grant for its DePaul Dental Program. Blessings in a Backpack provides food to hundreds of schoolchildren so they can eat on weekends and over school breaks. Lead4Life Inc. works to keep youth from entering the juvenile justice system. The full list of grants is posted on the County’s website, www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/CPGawardsFY23.

Our nonprofit partners are taking care of people in our community. By supporting these human services organizations, together we can make a bigger difference to people.

Election judges

The Frederick County Board of Elections is looking for people to serve as election judges for this summer’s Primary Election. Election judges greet and check in voters, give directions, and oversee the procedures to ensure voters can cast their ballots securely. Judges are needed for early voting as well as on the day of the Primary, July 19.

Judges are paid $175 a day, plus $50 for training. Chief Judges receive $225 a day and $75 for training, since there is additional work involved. High school students can earn Student Service Learning credits if they work as an Election Judge.

The Maryland General Assembly passed emergency legislation this year that requires all counties to provide the same number of voting centers as they did in 2018. For Frederick County, that means there will need to be election judges at 63 polling locations, far more than the 37 voting centers that the Elections Board had prepared to open.

If you are interested in serving as an Election Judge, you can apply online at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Elections, or call 301-600-4141 to have an application sent to you. Working at a poll is a great way to serve our community!