The County Executive has released his recommendations for the fiscal year (FY) 2015 operating budget. I wanted to let you know some of the highlights that were in it, as the County Council begins our business of working to approve a final budget.

The recommended budget stays within the charter limit and totals $4.97 billion for FY 2015, which begins July 1. The budget funds education beyond what is required by the State Maintenance of Effort Level law, puts more police on the beat, and reduces the County's property tax rate.

Some of the main budget highlights include:

• An unprecedented County contribution of $1.5 billion for MCPS, 99.3 percent of the Board of Education's request and $26 million over the State-required Maintenance of Effort level;

• An $11 million increase for the Police Department that will add 23 sworn officers and two forensic scientists, and double the number of School Resource Officers assigned to County high schools;

• A property tax credit of $692 for each owner-occupied residence to limit the burden on homeowners;

• Holding the line on property taxes at the Charter limit with a drop in the property tax rate from $1.01 per $100 of assessed value to 99.6 cents;

• $37.2 million for library funding, a 6.7 percent increase from FY 2014 and a 30 percent increase since FY 2012. In addition, the budget would fund increased hours by five percent at the following branches in District 1: Davis, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Kensington Park, and Little Falls;

• Additional funding for the developmental disability supplement and nurse monitoring services for more than 2,000 senior and disabled clients; raising the adult foster care reimbursement rate; adding funds for adult protective services, adult day care, and caregiver support;

• More than $400,000 additional funding for the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County;

• Full funding of the County's Retiree Health Benefits at $105.1 million; and

• A 5.2 percent increase in tax-supported funding for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

These are just some of the highlights of the budget. To view the full budget and read through its individual sections, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

Just know that in order to produce a final budget that best reflects our community's priorities and values, we need to hear from you. Please reach out to my staff at 240-777-7828 or councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Also, if you wish to make your voice heard before the entire Council, we are holding public hearings on April 8, 9, and 10. To sign up to testify, please call 240-777-7803.

Finally, if you can't make any of these full Council hearings, I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting next Wednesday evening, March 26, beginning at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be at Cabin John Middle School (10701 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac). Come out with your comments. I'll be ready to listen.

Enjoy the first evening of Spring. Look forward to hearing from you soon.