It totals more than $112-million.
Frederick, Md (KM) In a unanimous vote Thursday night, the Frederick Board of Aldermen approved a fiscal year 2022 budget totaling $112.1-million.
Among other things, the spending plan initiates a residential composting and food waste recovery pilot program, supports the creation of a Downtown Ambassador Program to “extend resident, business and visitor support in one of the most dense and active areas of our City,” according to a letter by Mayor Michael O’Connor, which was part of the budget package when it was released on April 1st. .
it also funds the recommendations of the US Army Corps of Engineers for storm water improvements and flood mitigation. This follows the record flooding in Frederick city and the county in 2018.
In his budget message, Mayor O’Connor said he and the Aldermen are committed to being leaders in equity, diversity, inclusiveness and justice. He said the city will meet those goals by hiring a Equity Program Administrator to “evaluate, administer, and track program deficiencies, and impact across the organization.” Also, the city will put recommendations into to place to ensure more minority and women-owned businesses have access to the procurement process. Other initiatives include increasing multi-lingual and American Sign Language capabilities fo enhance constituent engagement and services; and initiating a Mayor’s Fellowship Program to create a citywide student internship program.
Prior to the vote, Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak called it “one of the best budgets that I have ever seen.” “I feel like we were listened to and I feel like the citizens were listened to,” she said. “And I feel like we’re putting money toward things that are important to us as a group of elected officials and the residents.”
Echoing her colleague, Alderman Kelly Russell called it a “great budget. “It’s the first time in a long time, I think, we’ve not had last-minutes amendments and horse wrangling at the end. I think the needs of the community have really been considered in this budget,” she said.
In a separate motion, the Board of Aldermen agreed to keep the property tax at $0.7305 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2022, which begins on July 1st.
By Kevin McManus