GBCC Action Alert

Chamber members and friends,
 
A concerned chamber member, a wide-ranging Development Company, asked that we share a message with you…

In the very near future, the County Council will be approving our FY24 budget, the largest budget ever and the largest increase we’ve seen in several years.
The budget supersizes County government by $330M, creating a $145M structural deficit next year all while our population is decreasing. This is property tax hike being sold as necessary to fund our schools. However, there are ample available funds available in the current budget to fully fund schools, by example:
 

• The budget includes funding for 1,300 new government (non-school) positions over two years, all while there are 1,200 vacant positions, many have been vacant for several years. 
• It includes make-up pay raises from Great Recession 12 years ago.
• It increases reserves $86M above the policy mandated 10%
• MCPS underspent $100M on salaries last year due to vacancies, however they are budgeting wage increases on all vacancies as if they will all be filled July 1st.

 
No other jurisdiction in the Region (or DC) is raising property taxes – even as they all significantly increase school funding.

Please use this link to email your concerns to your County Council members:  https://www.stopthemocotaxhike.com/ 

Thank you, and please share this link with your family, friends, and neighbors.
 
Respectfully,
 
Your GBCC

 
The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce
BETHESDA | CABIN JOHN | CHEVY CHASE | FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS | GARRETT PARK
GLEN ECHO | NORTH BETHESDA | POTOMAC | PIKE DISTRICT | ROCK SPRING | WESTBARD
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1204, Bethesda, MD 20814
P: (301) 652-4900