The State House is reflected off the door to Prince George's County government offices in Annapolis. The county is asking voters to approve more than $660 million in bonds this fall. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
Prince George’s County voters will have the chance to tweak county government staffing rules, but the biggest issue for voters when they go to the polls the fall will likely be the raft of bond questions on the ballot.
Prince George’s is one of three jurisdictions that are required by state law to seek voter approval for the issuance of public bonds. Five questions on county voters’ ballots this year are bond issues for various projects, for a total of more than $660 million.
They are:
Question A: Would authorize the county council to borrow $96.72 million for county buildings, including construction of a homeless shelter and family shelter.
Question B: Would authorize the county council to borrow $17,284,000 for library facilities, including the Hillcrest Heights Branch replacement.
Question C: Would authorize the county council to borrow $194.38 million for community college facilities, including renovations of the Prince George’s Community College student center and academic buildings.
Question D: Would authorize the county council to borrow $311,873,000 for public works and transportation projects, including improvements around the new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters and the Blue Line Corridor.
Question E: Would authorize the county council to borrow $40,205,000 for public safety facilities, including police station renovations.
Question F
This measure would remove three words from the county charter: “in each grade.”
It slightly alters a staffing requirement in county law. Currently, an agency can’t exceed the staff levels set for each pay grade in the county’s operating budget without approval from the council.
The amendment would allow agencies to maintain the overall staffing levels set in the operating budget, without regard to pay grade.
Council President Jolene Ivey (D), who sponsored the bill to send the question to voters, said the amendment was drafted to give more flexibility to the executive branch.
The question was approved by the county council 10-0 and was also supported by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D).
How to vote
Marylanders can register to vote during early voting and on Election Day.
If you want to find out where you can vote early, between Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, click here.
To find out where to drop off a mail ballot at a dropbox, click here. Ballot boxes are open through 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, Election Day.
Want to see a sample ballot for your county? The State Board of Elections has a list of every approved ballot for the November election on its website.