On Thursday, April 9, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the tax rate and operating budget. The advertised tax rate has the potential to provide additional revenue for the MCPS budget. With that anticipated revenue, we will still be $1.4 million short of meeting our needs-based budget proposal. Thanks to the creative problem solving of many staff members, I have developed a proposal that will help us bridge that gap. The proposal is in three parts.
This is contingent on funding from the Board of Supervisors that matches the County Administrator’s proposed budget. If you would like to communicate your support of the County Administrator’s plan, you may do so by emailing your Board of Supervisors representative or by attending the public hearing on the County budget on April 9 at 6:30 p.m.
- Ask the Board of Supervisors to fund the $775,000 of capital requests from other funds. Should the Supervisors decide to decline this request, there is an opportunity to address these needs in carryover.
- Provide employees with the option to participate in a high deductible health plan. With this health plan option, the employee’s deductible would be fully funded on a health savings card by the school board. The savings for the school division is in the annual premium paid for each employee. The anticipated savings if 5% of employees move to the high deductible health plan is $565,000. Should we offer this option, all employees will be informed about the pros and cons of the new plan and it will only be optional. Employees will not be required to switch to the new plan and may change back to an HMO or PPO during any open enrollment period.
- Offer the early retirement incentive to MCPS employees. If 10 people take advantage of this program, it will save the division $140,000.
This is contingent on funding from the Board of Supervisors that matches the County Administrator’s proposed budget. If you would like to communicate your support of the County Administrator’s plan, you may do so by emailing your Board of Supervisors representative or by attending the public hearing on the County budget on April 9 at 6:30 p.m.