County Executive Ike Leggett released his final recommended fiscal year 2019 operating budget of
$5.56 billion on Thursday, March 15. The proposed budget increases County spending on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) by $75 million and holds property taxes at the Charter Limit by reducing the tax rate by 1.98 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
Leggett’s budget reflects the suggestions and feedback provided by hundreds of residents at County events and meetings including Leggett’s
five budget forums held in January and February.
![Closing Budget Falls Closing Budget Falls](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADOmKd-kXIg/Wql4GLvvSkI/AAAAAAAADhc/XSB9ccs9qrwa4CY_N58TpzR1HEww8RoWQCLcBGAs/s320/closing_budget_shortfalls.png) |
Closing Budget Falls |
![Controlling County Government Spending Controlling County Government Spending](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7IbVfALd8Eo/Wql4GLKKH7I/AAAAAAAADhY/nanCJXDo9HAZjTabSKVe849BoKdOcKS4ACEwYBhgL/s320/controlling_county_government_spending.png) |
Controlling County Government Spending |
![Ensuring Adequate Reserves](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6UaDSkcpCfI/Wql4GWJb4dI/AAAAAAAADhg/-pNBnAdKSUseuMwldH2iz3rD6Dpr9UhxwCEwYBhgL/s320/ensuring_adequate_reserves.png) |
Ensuring Adequate Reserves |
![Holding Down Property Taxes](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dwHQ8QqKpQ/Wql4GZqa4-I/AAAAAAAADhk/NEJcXNjgpLI1eByqPG8pmZ9QNsLpbf0HQCEwYBhgL/s320/holding_down_property_taxes.png) |
Holding Down Property Taxes |
![Keeping Down Total Tax Burden](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSVC4Hjr5k/Wql4Ggv0f0I/AAAAAAAADho/w6bcsvJ5HQcmXF_8IL8AQVp5xpIZQeQYwCEwYBhgL/s320/keeping_down_total_tax_burden.png) |
Keeping Down Total Tax Burden |
![Safer Streets by Investing in Police Safer Streets by Investing in Police](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9hym_01IQs/Wql4HGRwnSI/AAAAAAAADhs/_whL1BOVLx4BFak8ZWHLw4QLRjxSfGS8wCEwYBhgL/s320/street-safer.png) |
Safer Streets by Investing in Police |