City Adopts FY ’13 Budget
The city of Gaithersburg FY 2013 budget, adopted by the Mayor and City Council on June 4, will be available for viewing on the city’s website as of July 20. The $51,504,183 budget, which represents a 7.3 percent increase compared to the FY 2012 budget, will take effect on July 1.
Along with the budget, the Mayor and City Council also adopted the city’s Strategic Plan for FY 2013, and a comprehensive fee schedule for the city of Gaithersburg. This schedule includes a listing of all fees, charges, fines and forfeitures as provided in the city ordinances.
Key elements of the FY 2013 budget include:
- A 3.6 percent cost of living increase for qualifying full-time employees.
- The restoration of four full-time positions and the creation of six new full time positions across the city.
- An increase in the Gaithersburg Police Department from 54 to 57 officers.
- Increased funding for nonprofit organizations that offer safety net and youth development services through a combination of contracts, grants and contingency funds.
- Restoration of full funding for the replacement of vehicles and equipment.
- Increased funding for inspections and environmental services.
- Funding at the recommended level for other post-employment benefits.
The adopted budget and a summary by City Manager Jones will be available at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/budget as of July 20. The comprehensive fee schedule is available now.
For more information please contact the Office of Finance and Administration at 301.258.6320.
Sodexho May Leave Gaithersburg
Sodexho’s lease of the building it occupies on Washingtonian Boulevard will terminate in 18 months, and the company is taking advantage of a renters’ market to explore its options for relocating to a new location.
“We are cautiously optimistic that Sodexho will choose to stay in Gaithersburg,” said Tom Lonergan, director of economic development for the city of Gaithersburg. “They have every reason in the world to stay.”
According to Lonergan, Sodexho is being courted and encouraged to move to Virginia by state and local governments there.
“The city of Gaithersburg is working with Maryland county and state agencies to develop an attractive incentive package for Sodexho,” Lonergan said. “We are doing everything we can to encourage Sodexho to stay in Gaithersburg.”
According to Lonergan, Sodexho currently occupies over 180,000 square feet and employs over 300 people at its Gaithersburg site.
— By Laurie Enceneat
Celebrate the 4th!
The city of Gaithersburg will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Starting at 7 p.m., Back to Zero will present a two-hour concert, followed by fireworks at dusk (approximately 9:25 p.m.). Gates open at 5 p.m.
In the event of rain, the fireworks only be held on July 5.
The Montgomery County Fairgrounds is located at 16 Chestnut Street in Gaithersburg. Walk in at Chestnut or Dalamar streets; the Perry Parkway entrance to the Fairgrounds will be closed. No parking on Meen and Floral Avenue. No unauthorized cars will be allowed in the Fairgrounds. Those with handicap tags or stickers will be allowed access to the Fairgrounds through the gates at the Dalamar Street entrance.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and blankets to enjoy a picnic during the event. Food will also be sold at the celebration. For safety reason, the following are strictly prohibited: alcoholic beverages, glass containers, rollerblades, skates, bikes, pets, and fireworks of any kind.
For information please call 301.258.6350 or email dwinder@gaithersburgmd.gov.
Local Baseball League Competes for Free Clinic
The Gaithersburg Sports Association (GSA) is seeking the public’s help to win a free baseball clinic from Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman. The contest, run by the Washington Area Chevrolet Dealers, partners dealerships with local youth baseball leagues. The league receiving the most online votes will win a two-and-a-half-hour clinic from Zimmerman.
To vote for GSA, visit Chriswell Chevrolet’s Facebook page or visit mychevyleague.com by July 1.
Heritage Days Events
The Gaithersburg Community Museum and the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory are among 32 historical sites participating in Montgomery County Heritage Days, June 23 – 24. This 15th annual event celebrates and showcases the county’s rich history with music, dance, food and children’s activities. All Heritage Days events are free.
From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Community Museum, 9 South Summit Ave., visit the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex. Participate in “Train Day at the Museum” presented by Bantrak T Trak Division. Visitors can view the model train display and tour a caboose filled with local train history. See the 1918 steam locomotive and local history exhibits in the museum.
From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory, 100 DeSellum Ave., take a self-guided tour of the newly opened interpretive park. Built in 1899 as one of six around the globe, the observatory played an important role in the efforts of scientists to determine the wobble of the Earth on its polar axis to aid in navigation. Ground markers are still used for GPS purposes today.
For more information on the activities in Gaithersburg please contact the Gaithersburg Community Museum at 301.258.6160 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/museum. For more information on Montgomery County Heritage Days please visit www.heritagemontgomery.org.
Dream Big — Read!
Sign up online for the 2012 Summer Reading Program at Montgomery County Public Libraries, running now through Aug. 11.
The program is divided into three age groups: “Read to Me!” for babies thru 5-year-olds; “Dream Big — Read!” for 6- to 12-year-olds; “Own the Night!” for 13- to 18-year-olds. Keep track of how many books you read (or someone else reads to you) on an online reading log, and print a reading certificate after logging five books.
To learn more about the program and find out details about free events in each age group, visit http://montgomerycountymd.libguides.com/sr2012.