(4/2024) Springtime is here, bringing beautiful blossoms and difficult budget decisions.
On April 15th, I will release my budget for Fiscal Year 2025. It has been a challenging process this year, with slower revenue growth, fewer new housing permits, and escalating costs. Fortunately, Frederick County’s diverse economy puts us in a better position than some of our neighboring counties. But tough choices will still need to be made.
So far, I’ve received requests for $84 million in new funding. Nearly three-quarters of that is from Frederick County Public Schools, which asked for an additional $62 million above the legally required maintenance of effort funding. All the other agencies and departments requested a combined $22 million.
I personally met with every division director to make sure existing programs were re-evaluated. Programs we no longer need were cut from the base budget. And every new request had to align with the goals set in our Livable Frederick master plan.
The most important part of developing a budget each year is hearing from the people who live and work in our community. Your feedback is crucial. If you spoke at a public meeting, wrote into my office, or took a survey using our Balancing Act tool, thank you! Your input helped to shape the budget I’ll soon present.
A few weeks ago, I presented some early highlights of what the budget will include. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) lays out our big construction projects for the next six years. It includes renovated and replacement schools, roads, bridge, libraries, and fire stations.
We have the fastest growing school district in Maryland. Since 2014, the County has completed 12 school projects: additions, limited renovations (like Thurmont Elementary School), and replacements, like Brunswick Elementary School. There are another eight school projects in process, including a replacement of Valley Elementary School.
Some of the other big projects in the works include bikeways and trails, including several in the Emmitsburg and Thurmont areas, new fire stations in Carroll Manor and Green Valley, an upgrade to the Point of Rocks Wastewater Treatment Plant, and bridges on Hessong Bridge and Biggs Ford Roads. There are also sewer line and pavement projects to help keep our community safe.
Child Care Study
Childcare is essential for our county to thrive. Parents rely on childcare so they can join the workforce as reliable, healthy employees. Access to high-quality, affordable childcare affects families’ job options, finances, and children’s development.
That’s why the County’s Office for Children and Families recently conducted a market study to understand the state of child care in Frederick County. The study was paid for from our American Rescue Plan Act funding. We heard from more than 1,600 people, through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and community input sessions. What we found probably won’t surprise parents of young children, especially those in this newspaper’s readership areas.
Demand outstrips supply. The number of licensed childcare slots in Frederick County is not keeping pace with the need. In the northern and southeastern parts of the county, we are seeing crisis-level childcare shortages. Countywide, three out of four providers reported a six-month waitlist. Providers struggle with licensing regulations and other business challenges that make it difficult to meet the demand.
The social impact is real. Families miss out on wages. Collectively, Frederick County’s families miss out on $1 million a year in lost wages due to childcare problems. Women, in particular, lose out on career development. In Maryland, women are returning to the post-pandemic workforce at half the national rate, with childcare being one of the biggest reasons. Children are not ready to learn when they arrive at kindergarten. Latino English learners and low-income students show the biggest boost in readiness from formal childcare.
There is good news to share, too. The study found we can expect to produce $3-$4 in economic benefits for every $1 invested in childcare. Our next step is to gather community input on how to move forward. There are a few opportunities for you to weigh in. Starting April 1, there will be a survey available online. You can find it at PublicInput.com/childcareforfrederickcounty. You are also invited to attend an in-person meeting for families and childcare providers on Saturday, April 20, from 9:30 to 11. at the Family Partnership office at 8420 Gas House Pike, Suite EE, in Frederick. We’d love to hear from you!
Upcoming
April is packed with great programming at our libraries. On the 8th, join a solar eclipse viewing party at the Emmitsburg Branch Library. The Brunswick Branch will host a bird walk for beginners on April 14th. The Thurmont Regional Library holds musical storytime every Thursday in April. And in honor of Earth Day, learn about edible native plants on April 21st at the Walkersville Branch.
Also this month, we will be announcing recipients of our Rural Historic Preservation Grants. The program helps fund rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation of historic properties. Grants from the program are designed to preserve, protect, and enhance rural historic properties outside of our cities and towns. Stay tuned for details on the projects receiving funding this year.
