Cafr Project on Prince Georges County

CAFR Prince George’s County

ACCT410

Professor Koroma

By: Olga Miller

Prince George’s county has been established in 1696 from portions of Charles and Calvert counties. The county provides police, fire and emergency services, family service programs, public works, and court and correctional services. Also, Prince George’s government adopts and maintains building codes, regulates permits and licenses, collects taxes and revenues, conducts elections, and recycles and disposes of refuse. The Charter of Prince George’s county controls two branches. The executive branch enforces the laws and manages the business affairs of the County. The legislative branch of the County consists of a nine-member County Council and its staff. Prince George’s judicial branch is independent and separate from the other branches of the government and receives its authority from Maryland Constitution. Prince George’s name was adopted from Prince George of Denmark who was Prince Anne husband in England. The County’s centralized location and its rich diversity has attracted over 863,400 residents and more than 15,400 businesses.

        In 2013 Prince George’s county continued to be faced with challenging economic times. The County’s revenue is being impacted causing reductions in funding to County agencies due to rises and falls of the housing market and associated weakening of related markets. To maintain its commitments to quality services across all levels of education, public safety, health and human services, transportation environmental,  economic development and community revitalization, the County had to be fiscally prudent and had to make targeted investments. The County’s commitment to programs and services has improved the quality of life for its citizens and residents. Some major investments in the fiscal year 2013 budget were made in Economic Development, Education, Public Safety, Healthcare, Human Services, Environment, and High Performance Government Operations.

Education:

        Funding to the Board of Education has increased in fiscal year 2013 and remains County’s top priority to increase funding. Funding for education makes up 62.2%of all General Fund spending. Current budget for BOE was $1.66 billion which is increase by $50.3 million from fiscal year 2012. Total contribution to BOE was approximately $633.1 million which is an increase by $3.6 million from last fiscal year. This positive direction towards better quality education for the children has showed improvement in fiscal year 2013 and is toward meeting its previous forecasts. Higher quality education will help students receive the skills for future jobs in Prince George’s county and meet the challenges of an economically competitive, technologically advanced, and culturally diverse society. The County invested funds in continued construction of Oxon Hill High School, school projects of Hyattsville, Avalon, Henry Ferguson and Doswell Brooks Elementary Schools, and Crossland High School Auditorium. Prince George’s Community College received $102.6 million which is an increase of 2.3% from 2012.