Nancy Floreen's Montgomery in Focus, April 2016

Masthead that says Nancy Floreen's Montgomery in Focus

Council Starts Budget Work

Nancy Floreen and poster of interchange

The County Executive has transmitted his Fiscal Year 2017 recommended operating budget to the Council. The recommended budget provides a good starting point for the Council’s work on the final County budget for the upcoming year. We appreciate the hard work by the Executive and his staff to begin the process.

The Great Recession and its aftermath created serious fiscal challenges for families, businesses, and governments alike. Now, as the economy continues to recover steadily, we must carefully balance the need for important County services and pressures on our taxpayers. That is what our Council Committees and the full Council will undertake over the next two months. We look forward to receiving the views of our residents as we move through the budget process.

To weigh in, sign up for the Council’s public hearings scheduled for April 5-7. You can also send your comments in writing online; by emailing county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov; by regular mail to: County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850; or by calling the Council budget hotline at 240-777-7802.

If you would like to follow along, visit the Council's Web site, and remember to check back regularly as information will change as we make our way through our work.


Apply Now for Planning Board

We’re now taking applications for the Planning Board. This is an important position as the Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. This means the board is responsible for preparation and amendment of the County General Plan; preparation and amendment of Master Plans and functional plans; implementation of the subdivision process and a whole lot more.

The Planning Board meets all day every Thursday and often meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a Planning Board member can expect to spend at least two full days a week in scheduled and informational meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.

The second term of Amy Presley (Republican) will expire on June 14, 2016, and she is not eligible for reappointment. Applications are due by April 20. See the full press release.


Register to Vote or Change Parties

button that says vote

Is your voter registration up to date?  Is your political party affiliation correct? Do you wish to change your political party affiliation or make any other changes to your voter registration?  Generally, you must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican Party to vote in the primary election. If there are non-partisan offices that are elected in a primary election (i.e., school board), any voter can vote for these offices. Make sure you update your registration prior to April 5, 2016, so you are ready to vote.

Visit www.777vote.org to confirm that your registration is up to date or to download a voter registration application to mail to the Board of Elections. You may also call 240-777-VOTE to verify your voter registration using the automated phone system or visit the office at 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, in Gaithersburg. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; on Saturday, April 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, April 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Applications are also available at county libraries, regional service centers, all offices of the Montgomery County Health and Human Services, the State of Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles, and US Post Offices.

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, or you can vote early at any one of the ten early voting locations April 14-21. See the list of Early Voting Centers.


Apply Now for Charter Review Commission

Apply by April 13 to fill a vacancy on the Charter Review Commission. Since no more than six members can be from the same political party, this appointee may be a Republican, someone who declines to affiliate with a party or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections. The term of the current commission will expire on December 2, 2018.

The County Charter was amended in 1976 to provide that a Charter Review Commission be appointed by the County Council every four years to study the Charter. The commission researches and evaluates Charter issues raised by the County Executive, County Council, other government officials and the public. Commission reports are submitted no later than May 1 of every even-numbered year. These reports contain recommendations concerning any proposed Charter amendments. Learn more.


Fast Fact

The Department of Transportation is working hard to fill the County’s potholes that have resulted from recent freeze/thaw cycles. MCDOT repairs potholes every day of the year except during rain and snow. But in the spring, the department devotes additional resources to filling potholes and replacing damaged road sections.

MCDOT relies on resident reports of potholes, and repair crews also stop to fill any other potholes encountered as they make their rounds. Report potholes online or by calling the MC311 Call Center at 311 or 240-777-0311. Please also be cautious and patient when encountering crews filling potholes.

MCDOT fills potholes on 5,000 lane miles of County-maintained roads. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) fills potholes, plows snow and maintains numbered routes in the County, such as Maryland routes 355 or 97. MSHA can be reached at 301-513-7300. In addition, municipalities, such as the cities of Rockville or Gaithersburg, handle their own repairs.


Green Tip of the Month

white dog

Mark your calendar for the Montgomery County GreenFest on Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center. GreenFest is a fun-filled day for the whole family, featuring music, films, speakers, exhibitors and workshops all focused on building community and improving our environment.


Let's Talk

Is your community organization hosting a public meeting? Please let me know how I can help. I am happy to assist residents in understanding pending bills or in finding ways to get involved in the political process. Even more important, I want to hear about what matters to you. Send your meeting notices to councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-7959 if you would like me to address a particular topic with your group.

April 2016


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