Budget Office

Prince George's County Budget 2011

• Budget Overview
• Administrative Fund- Commissioner's Office
• Administrative Fund- Central Administrative Services
• Administrative Fund- Department Of Planning
• Park Fund - Department Of Parks and Recreation
• Internal Service Funds
• Appendicies- Budget References

Prince George's County Budget Process

Planning for the proposed budget begins in July. Basic budget guidelines and information are disseminated to each department. In the fall, a rigorous review period is conducted by the respective Planning Boards. At its December meeting, the Commission approves the proposed operating budget of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for transmittal to the respective approving bodies.

On or before January 15, the Commission submits to the County Executive and Council of each county the proposed budget for the respective accounts of the General Fund (including park debt service) and a budget plan for the respective county Enterprise, Internal Service and Special Revenue Funds. The budget of the Capital Projects Funds and six-year expenditures plans are submitted prior to November 1. These budgets and plans include the means of financing them.

By April 1, the County Executive transmits the budget, with recommendations, to the County Council. The County Council conducts public hearings on the operating and capital budgets and plans. State law requires final adoption prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1.

Prince George's County Fiscal Policy

Throughout the management of the Commission's fiscal resources, the following policies are maintained for tax-supported funds:

• The budget must be balanced; that is, anticipated revenues must equal or exceed anticipated expenditures.
• Adequate expenditure reserves will be proposed and maintained, sufficient to fund the cost of revenue fluctuations or unanticipated emergencies. A stable or rising level of reserves satisfies con cerns of the bond rating agencies when the Commission enters the bond market to sell bonds.
• The Commission will aggressively seek cost reduction and productivity improvements as methods of minimizing taxpayer costs and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Non-tax revenue sources, such as user fees, will be sought and developed to the greatest possible extent, keeping in balance service availability, public benefit, and fairly set fees. User fees in the Enterprise Fund are set to:
  • Be competitive with comparable public and private facilities and services in the area.
  • Reflect user demand and patterns of use.
• The Commission will minimize debt service costs by the prudent use of appropriate debt instruments, consistent with the goal of maintaining tax rate stability and stable reserves. Debt service, correctly structured, will match the bond-funded cost of facilities with the useful life of the facilities.

Montgomery County's Budget 2011

• Budget Overview
• Administrative Fund- Commissioner's Office
• Administrative Fund- Central Administrative Services
• Administrative Fund- Department of Planning
• Park Fund - Department of Parks
• Other Funds - Special Revenue Funds
• Appendicies- Budget References

Montgomery County Budget Process

Planning for the proposed operating budget begins in July. Basic budget guidelines and information is disseminated to each Department. In the fall, a rigorous review period is conducted by the respective Planning Boards. The Montgomery County Council annually establishes Spending Affordability Guidelines for the Operating Budget by mid December. The budget for the Capital Projects Funds and six-year expenditures plans (CIP) are submitted prior to November 1. In Montgomery County the CIP is a two-year submission.

This budget includes spending plans and the means of financing them. At its December meeting, the Commission adopts the proposed operating budget for The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

On or before January 15, the Commission submits to the County Executive of each County the proposed budget for the respective account of the General Fund (including park debt service) and a budget plan for the respective county Enterprise, Special Revenue and Internal Service Funds.

Montgomery County Fiscal Policy

Throughout the management of the Commission's fiscal resources, the following policies are maintained for tax-supported funds:

• The budget must be balanced; that is, anticipated revenues must equal or exceed anticipated expenditures.
• The Commission considers the development of fund balance policy goals as an important part of sound fiscal management.
• In the Enterprise Fund, a minimum cash balance equal to 10% of operating revenues plus one year's debt service during a 3-5 year phase-in period will be maintained.
• Adequate expenditure reserves will be proposed and maintained in the general fund, sufficient to fund the cost of revenue fluctuations or unanticipated emergencies. A stable or rising level of reserves satisfies concerns of the bond rating agencies when the Commission enters the bond market to sell bonds.
• The Commission will aggressively seek cost reduction and productivity improvements as methods of minimizing taxpayer costs and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Non-tax revenue sources, such as user fees, will be sought and developed to the greatest possible extent, keeping in balance service availability, public benefit, and fairly set fees.

In Montgomery County, the voter-mandated Spending Affordability Guidelines of 1990 define a process wherein the County Council estimates how much the County can afford to spend in each fiscal year.

Consistent with the Department of Park and Planning's User Fee policy, fees in the Enterprise facilities, services, and programs are established at a level that:

• Are competitive with comparable public and private facilities and services in the area;
• Can reasonably be expected to generate sufficient revenue to sustain administrative, operating and maintenance costs;
• Reflect user demand and patterns of use.

The Commission will minimize debt service costs by the prudent use of appropriate debt instruments, consistent with the goal of maintaining tax rate stability and stable reserves. Debt service, correctly structured, will match the bond-funded cost of facilities with the useful life of the facilities.