Council President's Message

The Council’s review of next year’s operating budget is about to begin.

On Thursday, March 15, the Council will receive the County Executive’s recommended operating budget for the next fiscal year. This budget proposal, covering July 2018 to July 2019, is the starting point for Council deliberations. The Council makes the final decisions, and we invite you to be part of the process.

In the coming weeks, take some time to review the Executive’s recommended budget, using our Open Budget tools. Then, participate by emailing the Council with your views at County.Council@montgomerycountymd.gov, signing up to testify at public hearings, scheduling meetings with Councilmembers, or by calling 240-777-7910. On social media, use #MontCoFY19.

At the Council session on Tuesday, we will continue our work on the County’s Capital Budget (CIP) with a focus on projects affecting WSSC, Public Safety, and Recreation. Legislation to create a “Ready to Learn” program for low-income children will be introduced.

Committees will take up many substantial issues, from food security to affordable housing to transportation projects to the use of road salt.

Finally, on Wednesday March 14 at 7:30 p.m., the Council is hosting a town hall meeting at the White Oak Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring. All County residents are invited to attend and speak directly with Councilmembers about community priorities.

Best wishes,

Hans Riemer
Council President

RECENT ACTIONS

• The Council reviewed and tentatively approved numerous committee recommendations for capital projects in housing, agricultural land preservation, economic development, and libraries
• The Council conducted a worksession on the 10 Year Water and Sewer Plan
• The Council heard public testimony on funding a study for US 29 BRT

Council Calendar At-a-Glance

Upcoming Public Hearings

March 20, 2018
(Sign up to testify by 3/20/18 at 10 a.m.)

• 7:30 p.m. Zoning Text Amendment 18-02, Telecommunications Towers - Limited Use

April 3, 2018
(Sign up to testify by 4/2/18 at 5 p.m.)

• 1:30 p.m. Zoning Text Amendment 18-01, Solar Collection System - Standards
• 1:30 p.m. Amendment to 2016-2020 Subdivision Staging Policy - Technical Revisions
• 1:30 p.m. Expedited Bill 4-18, Transient Housing - Carbon Monoxide Detector
• 1:30 p.m. Expedited Bill 5-18, White Flint Special Taxing District - technical revisions
• 1:30 p.m. Bill 6-18, Contracts - Labor Peace Agreements - Displaced Service Workers – Amendments
• 1:30 p.m. Expedited Bill 8-18, Streets and Roads - Storm Drainage Right-of-Way
• 7:30 p.m. Bill 9-18, Child Care - Ready to Learn Initiative - Established

Committee Worksessions

March 12, 2018

• Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Update: Food Security Plan
• Public Safety (PS)
  • Update: Animal Services Division (Police Department)
• Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED)
  • SRA 18-01, Minor Subdivisions - Ownership Units
  • Bill 34-17, Housing - Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU) Amendments
  • Bill 38-17, MPDU Requirement to Build

March 15, 2018

• Government Operations & Fiscal Policy (GO)
  • Executive Regulation 10-17 , Parliamentary and Maryland Open Meetings Act Training for Members of Boards, Commissions, and Committees
  • Bill 40-17, Personnel - Merit System - Salary and Wage Plans - Police Leadership Service
  • Bill 2-18, Ethics, Conflicts of Interest - Financial Disclosure - Lobbying - Amendments
• Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy & Environment (T&E)
  • CIP - Transportation - continued
  • Briefing: Road salt usage
• Audit
  • Follow - up discussion: research on auditing functions in other jurisdictions and auditors in County agencies
  • Review of results from FY17 External Audit
  • Review of Clifton Larson Allen contract renewal

How do I…?

...sign up for a public hearing.

In-person public hearings are one way to express your views to the Council. Our online signup is only clicks away! Simply navigate to the County Council Public Hearing website, find the public hearing you are looking for, and click “Sign Up.” A new window will pop up (make sure your browser allows pop ups), and you will be asked to fill in some basic details.

Upon completing the form, your request will be registered. Council Staff will then reach out to everyone who is invited to testify. The Council does its best to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share their views with the Council and that the Council hears from all perspectives. There are hearings when we have more requests than time will allow, but for the most part we are able to accommodate everyone who signs up by the deadline.