"I am incredibly grateful for the lengths to which the County Council and its auditor have gone to help the children of Anne Arundel County," said Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, who complained earlier this month that County Executive John R. Leopold shorted him $51 million in his proposed budget. He said he'd have to cut 200 teacher jobs and scrimp on maintenance, instructional materials, utilities and construction projects to cover the projected costs of a 5-percent pay hike for teachers.

"Our school system is in a far better position today than it was a month ago, and this council deserves an immense amount of credit for that," he said in a prepared statement.

But the funds - which will be officially approved at 11 a.m. May 29 - came with a warning from several county officials: Don't expect the same generosity next year.

"One of the things we are doing (this year) is making bigger problems for next year," said Councilman Ed Reilly, R-Crofton, putting department heads on notice to expect only "maintenance-level" funding next year.

"We are using one-time money. … It isn't going to be their next year."

Mr. Leopold condemned the council's actions, calling them "indefensible."

"They've taken the cold fiscal reality of 2009 and made it decidedly colder for 2010," he said.

County Budget Officer John Hammond, who opposed about half of the $26 million in budget cuts, seconded that.

"They've lit the fuse on a time bomb that is going to blow next year," he said, noting the county this year spent most of its savings on recurring expenses. "Where are we going to find the (money) next year? … Those salaries are still going to be paid next year."

Some on the council, however, spoke out against those dire predictions.

"I don't think next year the sky is going to fall," said Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, noting that the county usually spends less than it expects or brings in more than it anticipates.

And Ms. Sutherland said much of the so called "one-time" money is recurring.

"One time moneys continue to flow in every year," said Mr. Middlebrooks. "It's there, it's just a question of how much will be there."

The cuts

The council yesterday nixed about $2 million from the county's operating budget and $24 million from the county's capital budget to free up the money for schools and negate Mr. Leopold's proposed tax hike. Among the programs and construction projects killed:

$8.12 million for new textbooks at county schools

$5.7 million from the Southgate Elementary School project

$1.6 million for the Jessup Fire Station project

$1.5 million for the Deale Fire Station project

$1.5 million for a science lab and addition at the Arundel High School project

$1 million for new books and materials at county libraries

The council also took $3 million from a special health insurance fund and $1.5 from a new $2 million affordable housing initiative.

Each group effected by the cuts reacted differently, with some saying they didn't need the money and others saying they will have to drastically cut back on services.

Alex Szachnowicz, chief facilities officer for county schools, said favorable bids let them come in significantly under budget at Southgate Elementary School and Arundel High School. He noted the county started budgeting for the projects four years ago, long before the current housing slump, and that steel and lumber prices swing over time.

And Susan Bowen, finance director for county schools, said the textbook cuts won't mean students are going to have to start reading books published during the Cold War.

"I'm not saying we don't need it, but we will be able to continue the book program," she said, explaining they have some funds left over from previous years. Ms. Bowen said the schools might have to buy cheaper books next year or forgo some of the nicer "ancillaries" that can come with textbooks.

Library Administrator Marion Francis, who saw the county nix 8 percent of her $17 million annual budget yesterday, said she will now have to reduce services and cut back on new books.

"The taxpayers are the losers here," she said, claiming that she will not be able to buy as many best sellers or subscribe to as many online databases without that money.

"To say we don't need that money is just wrong," she said.

As for the fire stations, however, the council stressed those projects are only being postponed a year.

"We're cutting it, but its not going away," Mr. Reilly said of the proposed renovation of the Deale Fire Station.

The additions

While Dr. Maxwell estimated earlier this month he needed $51 million to fully fund his school system, County Auditor Teresa Sutherland pegged the funding gap at $20.6 million.

With yesterday's amendments to the county budget, the school system is now only short $6.8 million, she said.

Bob Mosier, county school spokesman, said it's unclear exactly what the extra $13.9 million will mean to the schools. He could not say if the 200 teaching positions Dr. Maxwell eliminated in anticipation of the county executive's budget would be reinstated.

"We are going to go back and sit down and take a look," Mr. Mosier said. "We will do an analysis, and I think very quickly … make some decisions from there."

The council also approved $10.7 million to fund feasibility studies to renovate Annapolis, Germantown, Folger McKinsey, Point Pleasant and Belle Grove elementary schools and the Phoenix Center, a school for emotionally disturbed students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Another $3.1 million was approved to help so-called "open space" schools build walls and buy partitions.

At the same time, the council made room in the budget so the county no longer needs to raise the hotel tax from 7 to 10 percent. Ms. Sutherland said the council made permanent cuts to affordable housing, a health insurance fund and some capital projects to offset the loss of the increased revenue this year.

"Eliminating a revenue and making permanent cuts does not create a future problem," she said.

Hotel owners from across the county warned it would scare off tourists, lead to lower occupancy rates and possibly cause layoffs for hundreds of hotel employees.

Mr. Leopold saw the tax differently and argued the council put tourists ahead of county residents.

"They are giving higher priority to protecting out-of-state residents," he said.

The official vote to kill the tax hike will be next week.

Several councilmen said the tax hike could be revisited next year - if the county does indeed need the money. But, they said, Mr. Leopold should consult with the hotel owners before proposing another such increase to the council.

"That's public relations 101," said Councilman Jamie Benoit, chastising the county executive for not taking such steps this year.

Mr. Leopold said his staff spoke to representatives from the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and the Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitor Bureau before proposing the legislation.

For now, the council hopes to avoid any tax increase.

County Council Chairman Cathy Vitale, R-Severna Park, said she hopes the different department heads take their warning to heart and watch their spending over the next year.

"Every dollar saved this year is a dollar we might need next year," she said.