Our Delegation worked hard this past Legislative Session to secure funding for important local priorities. Check out the Cecil County FY24 State Budget highlights:
Capital Projects
Perryville American Legion Susquehanna Post No. 135 – $100,000
Frenchtown Wharf Park – $500,000
NorthBay Environmental Education Center – $500,000
Fair Hill Condominium Association – $200,000
Bainbridge Naval Training Center site redevelopment – $7,500,000
Department of Natural Resources
Bohemia River State Park site improvements – $1,000,000
Elk Neck State Park Mauldin Mountain day use improvements – $3,428,000
Elk Neck State Park rustic cabins and shower building renovations – $4,774,000
Fair Hill NRMA carriage tunnel replacement – $4,000,000
Fair Hill NRMA covered bridge repairs – $2,000,000
Fair Hill NRMA orange trail connector bridge – $875,000
Fair Hill NRMA pedestrian track crossing – $250,000
Fair Hill NRMA trail bridge replacement – $600,000
Port Deposit State Historical Park – $200,000
Program Open Space
Park acquisition and development – $1,254,188
Community Parks and Playgrounds
North East Community Center – $141,716
Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects
Cecilton WWTP enhanced nutrient removal – $1,000,000
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund
Cecilton WWTP enhanced nutrient removal – $6,000,000
Waterway Improvement
Beck’s Landing promenade redecking – $44,360
Charlestown boat ramp and fire pier dredging – $350,000
Hazardous Substance Cleanup Program
Montgomery Brothers dump site – $150,000
Tome School site assessment – $150,000
Health Services
Medicaid – $85,709,000
Family Health and Chronic Disease – $498,000
Developmental Disabilities – $12,437,000
Behavioral Health Services – $21,839,000
Social Services
Homeless Services – $245,000
Women’s Services – $179,000
Adult Services – $199,000
Child Welfare Services – $3,765,000
Foster Care – $7,340,000
Temporary Cash Assistance – $1,214,000
Senior Citizen Services
Long-term Care – $315,000
Community Services – $156,000
Public Schools
North East Middle/High School construction – $11,270,104
Aging Schools Program – $96,024
Cecil College
Campuswide facilities renewal – $323,375
Facilities Management Building and entrance/roadway construction – $1,150,000
General Aid to Cecil County
County/Municipal – $11,428,000
Cecil Community College – $9,838,000
Public Schools – $136,443,000
Libraries – $951,000
Health – $3,313,000
Subtotal – $161,973,000
Retirement – $14,493,000
Total – $176,466,000
Increase from FY 2023 – $20,002,000 (12.8%)
Disparity Grants
The disparity grant program provides funding to low-wealth jurisdictions where per capita local income tax revenue is below 75% of the statewide average. To help alleviate potential disparities in local income tax collections, the program provides a grant to enable local income tax revenues to reach at least 75% of the statewide average. Due to the significant growth in the mandated funding level for the program, the General Assembly approved legislation in 2009 to cap annual funding to the amount that each jurisdiction received in fiscal 2010. While this provision restrained the growth in mandated funding, it failed to recognize changes in local wealth among jurisdictions due to the varying economic and social conditions across the State. To address this concern, the General Assembly approved legislation in 2013 that established a minimum funding level based on a county’s local income tax rate. The minimum funding level is set at 20% for jurisdictions with at least a 2.8% local income tax rate, 40% for jurisdictions with at least a 3% rate, and 75% for jurisdictions with the maximum 3.2% rate. Based on the statutory formula, Baltimore City and nine counties (Allegany, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Garrett, Prince George’s, Somerset, Washington, and Wicomico) qualify for disparity grants. Of these jurisdictions, six impose the maximum 3.2% local income tax rate. In fiscal 2024, disparity grant funding will total $220.2 million, which represents a $58.9 million increase from the prior year.
County teachers and librarians are members of either the teachers’ retirement or pension systems maintained and operated by the State. Community college faculty may also be members of these systems. The State pays a portion of the employer share on behalf of the subdivisions for these local employees. Fiscal 2024 State payments for Cecil County for teachers, librarians, and community college faculty are estimated to be $14,493,000.