Gazette: Leggett seeks to slash capital spending

Montgomery could cut $150 million from new schools, libraries

...Leggett said his goal is to reduce the county’s $4 billion capital spending plan by $25 million each year through fiscal 2018. He instructed agencies Wednesday to propose building projects that could be eliminated or delayed in the next capital budget. The cuts could affect projects such as new schools, recreation centers and libraries....
...The school system’s current capital spending plan for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 totals $887 million, although that number is subject to change when the Board of Education approves a new capital budget for 2013 to 2018 later this year, said Bruce Crispell, director of the school system’s Division of Long-Range Planning. Leggett is recommending the school system reduce its capital budget by $33.9 million between fiscal 2013 and 2016 — about 4 percent of its planned capital expenses.
A new middle school for the Clarksburg and Damascus areas is projected to cost $44.1 million. An addition to Bradley Hills Elementary in Bethesda will cost $11.6 million. Upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in schools countywide have a projected price tag of $26.1 million.
Crispell said now is a good time to build from a construction viewpoint, but that the economy isn’t necessarily in a position to support revenues for all the desired projects.
“We don’t have a choice,” said Councilman Hans Riemer (D-At large) of Silver Spring. “We do have to cut back. And it’s painful because it is a cheap time to borrow and build.”