A recent court ruling has temporarily halted a $39 million budget transfer within Prince George’s County, potentially affecting the county’s financial resources for the upcoming fiscal year starting Wednesday.
Associate Judge Krystal Alves of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County raised concerns about the fiscal responsibility of the county's decision to transfer funds from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) budget. She noted that it was uncertain whether the county was entitled to these funds.
The M-NCPPC oversees parks and planning in both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties and manages the recreation department in Prince George’s. Its budget is primarily funded through county property tax revenue, but state law dictates how these funds can be allocated.
The commission had filed a lawsuit against Prince George’s County in early June, claiming the budget transfer violated state law and the county’s charter. In her explanation for the temporary restraining order, Judge Alves indicated that the county's actions could cause “immediate, substantial and irreparable harm” to the commission.
Brian Fischer, a spokesperson for County Executive Aisha Braveboy, directed inquiries to the County Council, while Deputy Chief of Staff Devan Martin was unavailable for comment. Council Chair Krystal Oriadha also could not be reached, although she has previously stated the council's commitment to defending taxpayer interests and ensuring funds are directed towards public service rather than bureaucratic expansion.
The Prince George’s County Council is responsible for approving the budget before it is sent to the executive for adoption, yet it is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The contested transfer is linked to a long-standing program that allows municipalities and organizations to apply for reimbursements for project expenses.
Under this program, council members select which organizations receive funding, with the council having final authority over the commission's budget. However, the current budget proposal seeks to divert funds directly to the County Executive’s office, bypassing the commission’s approval process.
William Spencer, acting executive director of the M-NCPPC, expressed readiness to collaborate with County Council members to resolve the budgetary discrepancies and establish a lawful process for project charges. Legal representatives for both the commission and the county are expected to reconvene in court later this month.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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