The Prince George’s County Council on Friday unanimously approved a lean budget that officials say helps position the Washington suburb for a financial future made uncertain by the coronavirus pandemic.
County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) proposed a $4.48 billion total operating budget for fiscal 2021 — a 4.8 percent reduction from her original proposal, because of revenue losses.
The budget, which includes no property tax increases, was revised as it became clear that Prince George’s, like other jurisdictions across the region, would see its revenue shrink from the impact of the coronavirus, which has shuttered businesses and sent unemployment soaring.
To fill an estimated $134 million revenue gap, the county will use $30 million in reserves, stop merit raises and cost-of-living increases for employees, and freeze hiring. The measures were taken to avert layoffs or furloughs in the fiscal year beginning July 1, Alsobrooks said in a letter to the council about the revisions to the budget she originally proposed in March.
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