(4/2022) Preliminary County Capital Budget Unveiled

Emphasizing that every student deserves a seat in a classroom, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner unveiled plans for a record nine school construction projects in the upcoming fiscal year. Her preliminary capital budget also funds three new library branches, the purchase of body cameras for deputies, several parks projects, fire stations, technology upgrades, roads, and construction of a new medical unit for the Adult Detention Center.

"I am proud of the significant investment this capital budget makes to support our schools, roads, libraries, parks and more," Executive Gardner said. "These projects support our high quality of life and help to ensure a bright future for everyone in Frederick County."

School projects in the draft capital budget include construction of Waverly Elementary and Brunswick Elementary. The plan accelerates by two years the construction of a new Green Valley Elementary School and a new Valley Elementary School. An addition to Crestwood Middle School will be funded entirely by developers. Thurmont and Monocacy Elementary Schools will undergo limited renovations, and feasibility studies will be conducted for Yellow Springs Elementary and the Middletown school complex.

Other projects in the six-year Capital Improvement Program include a new North County Regional Park in Emmitsburg, the next phase of Othello Park in Brunswick, and renovations to Rose Hill Manor’s Carriage Museum. A larger shelter for Animal Control is being designed.

The county budget is based on the same property and income tax rates that have been in effect for all eight years of her administration.

Fiscal Year 2023 begins July 1. A full list of operating budget requests is available for review at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget. For more information, contact Budget Director Kelly Weaver at 301-600-1185 or via e-mail at kweaver@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Initiatives to Improve Public Health & Education, Help Seniors

Frederick County announced four initiatives that will be funded through a portion of Frederick County’s $50.4 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation. These initiatives will lessen disparities in health and educational outcomes in the community.

The Frederick County Health Care Coalition will receive up to $300,000 in funds this year to address diabetes, which was recently identified as a top priority in the Local Health Improvement Plan. Nutrition programs offered by the Frederick County Senior Services Division will receive a $160,000 to support food delivery to vulnerable seniors. A $250,000 grant will help seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to stay in their homes through Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program.

"The programs being funded will help to lift our families and support our community’s long-term health and well-being," Executive Gardner said. "These one-time funds allow Frederick County to respond to the health pandemic, recover from its educational and economic impacts, and lift us higher as we move forward."

Previously approved projects have been reported publicly during the County Executive’s public information briefings and in presentations to the County Council. Additional applications for ARPA funds are being considered by a Frederick County Government review committee to ensure proposals meet strict federal guidelines.

Additional information on Frederick County’s ARPA allocation can be found online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ARPA.