"This budget is the toughest budget the Council has faced in years," said Steven Silverman, council president.
"There's nothing more political than telling the president of your PTA, that modernization of the building is being pushed off TBD, to a time to be determined."
Silverman gave an overview of the FY2003 Operating Budget when he spoke before the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board on Monday, April 15.
The current budget calls for only $20 million for school construction projects, but $48 million was allocated in previous years, said Silverman.
A proposal to increase the recordation tax, if passed, could raise $10 million a year and $60 million over six years, which would bridge half the gap of the school system's needs, Silverman said.
"This is an important measure of our commitment for modernization of schools, to reduce overcrowding of schools, such as Potomac Elementary School and the like," he said.
Montgomery College was "hit hard in Annapolis," said Silverman, an important thing to consider since 25 percent of graduates of MCPS go to Montgomery College the first year after graduation. “We have to look at Montgomery College the same way we look at high schools. Overcrowding in school system will relate to MC in the next 5 to 10 years."
The number of students on free and reduced lunch has grown to 24 percent from 8 percent in the early 1970s, Silverman said.
Traffic congestion is the number one issue presented by residents throughout the county, said Silverman.
The Council passed an impact tax on developers which will develop a transportation trust fund.
Some of the money will go to the Montrose Parkway and some to bus routes.
The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board is a group of volunteers who study issues relating to Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac, among others, and provide feedback to County Council and the County Executive.