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Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has proposed nearly $4 billion in capital construction projects over the next six years, but at least one County Council member is questioning whether the county should be taking on so much debt.

Leggett's proposed Capital Improvements Program budget, which he sent to the council Friday, includes $1.5 billion in school construction and modernization projects — the most any county executive has included in a capital construction budget.

The amount of proposed school construction spending even prompted county Superintendent Jerry D. Weast to call Leggett a "visionary leader" and compare him to Abraham Lincoln.

But County Council member Michael J. Knapp questioned whether the county should assume additional debt when it faces operating budget shortfalls for the foreseeable future.

"I don't think we should be increasing the CIP," he said.

Funding for the CIP comes largely from borrowed money, and Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown said he planned to carefully review Leggett's proposal. "It's too early to say what we will fund," Knapp said.

But Leggett and others say it is a good time to borrow money and take on construction projects because interest rates are low and recession-driven building costs are reduced.

The CIP budget proposal for fiscal years 2011 through 2016 is $110 million more than what was approved last year and represents a 17 percent increase in school construction spending. Each year, the council approves a six-year schedule of capital projects.

The County Council will hold public hearings and take preliminary action on Leggett's proposed CIP in March, with a final vote coming in April, said council President Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park.

Paint Branch High School Principal Jeanette Dixon said Leggett's proposal will ensure that he is remembered as the "Education County Executive."

Leggett made his CIP announcement during a news conference Friday at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, where an $85 million replacement school is scheduled to be built by 2012.

That project was included in past years' budgets.

"I do think it's a good time for capital projects," Floreen said. "I would have to say we're approaching all of this very tentatively because of what we see as really tough operating budget challenges."

Leggett already has proposed $100 million in cuts from the current fiscal 2010 budget and is facing a $600 million operating budget shortfall in fiscal 2011.

Despite the dire budget news, Leggett says his proposed capital budget would save the county money in the long term.

With the economy resembling a buyer's market, "we can make every construction dollar count," he said.

Councilman Marc Elrich (D-At large) of Takoma Park said he agreed with Leggett's logic that now is the time to build more schools and improve existing ones.

Leggett's plan includes the renovation of 18 schools, additions at 11 schools and a new elementary and middle school in Clarksburg.

Superintendent Weast said it currently costs about $30 million less to build a high school than it did two years ago.

"This isn't about politics," Weast said of Leggett's proposed spending. "This isn't about political muscle. This is about visionary thinking and caring for this community."

He added that the construction projects will help bring jobs to the community.

Montgomery County Board of Education President Patricia O'Neill (Dist. 3) of Bethesda thanked Leggett Friday for funding 99 percent of the board's request for school construction and renovation projects in his CIP.

Councilwoman Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring said she supports Leggett's proposal — particularly his commitment to schools — and said she hoped other council members would vote in favor of the CIP.

However, council Vice President Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring says at least one item she requested was left off Leggett's proposal — the renovation of the dormant Old Blair Auditorium in Silver Spring.

The auditorium has been closed since 1999, when Montgomery Blair High School moved to its new campus at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. The old auditorium is part of the Silver Spring International Middle School and Sligo Creek Elementary School campuses at 313 Wayne Ave.

Ervin said that funding had been secured in Leggett's previous CIP for planning, and she wants to know why it was not included in his most recent proposal.

Leggett's proposal also moves up the completion date for a traffic signal system modernization.

The system, which controls 750 traffic signals in the county, failed in early November, creating rush-hour chaos.

Leggett's proposal also supports public safety projects, including the completion of new fire stations in Cabin John, Travilah, Glenmont and Wheaton. Funding also is included for the completion of the 6th District Police Station in the upcounty, the 3rd District Police Station in Silver Spring/White Oak and the relocation and modernization of the county's animal shelter.