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This spring’s budget process presented challenges that none of us could have anticipated as recently as three months ago. The health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic required us to focus on essential services to protect our residents, maintain core operations, and limit new spending. With a continuity of services approach that reflects fiscal and economic realities, we are better positioned to withstand projected revenue shortfalls and rebuild when the immediate public health emergency is over.
This is a situation for which none of us have a playbook, and it’s increasingly likely that further tough budget choices will be required in the coming months.
Throughout this crisis, residents, businesses, and non-profits have stepped up to meet this crisis head-on, making necessary adjustments, sacrifices, and tough decisions to weather the storm. Recognizing those sacrifices, and the deep economic uncertainty and anxiety faced by so many county residents, we rejected a series of proposed property tax increases, maintained employee compensation at FY2020 levels to avoid furloughs and layoffs, and produced a truly balanced budget that maintains the reserves we will need for the challenging road ahead.
Despite these constraints, we were able to make modest improvements to long-needed priorities — some county commitments that were years in the making, and all that will help lay the foundation to emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever.
This budget was different not only because of the uncertainties we’re facing, but because we could not meet in-person to complete it. With the tireless efforts of committed citizens like you who wrote in and called, posted videos and testified virtually in our new-look public hearing format, we approved a fiscally responsible budget that meets the moment we’re in and prepares us for the moments that follow.
For additional detail, you can click here to read the final budget resolutions.
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County Executive Marc Elrich on May 15th signed an executive order maintaining stay-at-home restrictions in Montgomery County, similar to many of the major jurisdictions in the State. While large and more urban jurisdictions such as our County, neighboring Prince George's County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City face continued risks from COVID-19 that jurisdictions elsewhere in the State may not, we have a responsibility to our residents and businesses to explain the scientific basis and metrics that show why it is not yet safe enough to allow non-essential activities and operations to reopen.
I'm pleased the County Executive and his staff posted an online dashboard Wednesday evening with daily updates on most of the data behind the executive order. It's something I called on the County Executive and County Public Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles to do last Friday. The County Executive and his staff worked hard and collaboratively with the Council to get this data up in a way that is digestible and understandable. I have also raised questions about how other criteria included in the executive order will be judged and hope to receive responses in the days to come.
Make no mistake about it: Protecting the health and safety of our residents is our number one priority. We must continue to listen to the public health experts when it comes to how to best protect people. It is also true that you — residents and businesses who we are asking to curtail non-essential activities — must be able to see how we're progressing on a daily basis, where we may need to devote additional resources, and how effective the County's response is.
Twenty five additional local businesses are now working to make and provide essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and other COVID-19 related products to help us in the fight against this virus. These local companies will produce face shields, face masks, hand sanitizers, home cleansers, gowns, and COVID-19 testing kits.
Supported by a $100,000 Council appropriation, last month the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) matched those funds and created a Local Production Fund. The grant recipients are pivoting from their normal operations in areas like flower design, farming, embroidery, and tailoring, to meet our COVID-19 needs. The awardees are a diverse group from across the County with 73 percent of the funding awarded to companies led by women or minority entrepreneurs. We are grateful to MCEDC for quickly distributing these funds and to our local businesses who are now partners with us as we battle this public health emergency together.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will be able to provide more grants of up to $2,500 to help local employers offset the cost of teleworking equipment during the COVID-19 crisis after the Council last week appropriated an additional $1.25 million for the program. Applications to MCEDC's Telework Assistance Program quickly exceeded available funds for the first round of grants.
Qualified applicants who were not selected in the initial lottery will be included in the upcoming weekly lottery held on Wednesdays, which will continue until June 5 unless funding runs out prior to that date. Learn more about the Telework Assistance Program and if you or your business or nonprofit is eligible here.
This very modest assistance is critical to help local employers who were forced to change to virtual operations quickly and have not been able to restart normal operations due to the necessary health precautions the State and now County have put in place.
Progress continues on the construction of a new, more walkable, more bikeable, and more inviting urban street grid in the Pike District. Executive Boulevard between the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center entrance and Old Georgetown Road will permanently close next week to make way for the realignment of the street to connect to Pike & Rose as well as the realignment of the future Old Georgetown Road and Towne Road intersection.
Montgomery Parks has solutions for your yard and garden needs! Find what you need at their Online Plant Sale, then get your purchases during no-contact pickups at Brookside Gardens, Locust Grove Nature Center, and Maydale Nature Classroom. The sale will continue throughout the month of May until supply is depleted.
Join us virtually this Friday at 11:00AM to ask questions and share your thoughts. Simply click this image to get to our Facebook page where our video will be streaming.
COVID-19 Renter Relief Act
- The Council passed the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which became effective April 24, 2020 and prohibits landlords from increasing existing tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% after April 24th and during the COVID-19 catastrophic health emergency. Helpful FAQs are now online.
Montgomery Cable Channel with COVID-19 Updates
- Montgomery County's public, education and government channels have launched a new Corona Montgomery channel, creating creates a direct communications channel to all residents, including those who don't have access to hi-speed internet and technology. It will air critical COVID-19 related information. The programming is available on channel 10 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN.
Reminder on the Stay at Home Directive
- The Governor issued a stay at home directive for all Maryland residents at the end of March. This means staying at home, unless you have an essential errand such as picking up groceries or medications, going to the doctor, or taking care of a family member or friend. Residents can still go outside for walks and exercise.
- Residents should not travel outside of Maryland. However, if you do, you should self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return.
Special Grocery Store Hours
- The County has compiled a list of stores with dedicated shopping hours for seniors and those at-risk.
MCPS
- MCPS will continue to provide meals at these sites for students.
Closures
How You Can Help
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site for specialized volunteers.
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Making or Donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Frontline staff need additional supplies and so you can make a mask for them or donate new items you may have in your possession.
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Donation site for new or handmade PPE.
- For companies interested in selling PPE to the County, please use this email procure@montgomerycountymd.gov
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has started a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency.
If You Need Support
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Restaurant Employee Relief Fund: The National Restaurant Association has launched a Relief Fund to give $500 checks to restaurant employees experiencing hardship in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
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Food Assistance: See the Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
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Poolesville Grocery Distribution Service: Orders can be placed online by visiting www.mysaval.store/ Order on Tuesdays before 4:00PM and pickup Thursdays between 2:00-3:30PM at the United Methodist Church in Poolesville. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars as orders will be loaded into the backs of vehicles. If you have any questions please call John at 443-896-7244.
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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
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My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Particpants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Healthcare: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace now, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period so that residents can enroll by June 15th (new date). You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage.
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Pepco: Pepco is extending its customer support policies, through at least June 1st, which include suspending service disconnections, waiving new late fees, and reconnecting customers who were previously disconnected.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Housing Issues: Evictions related to this public health emergency are prohibited at this time, if you face housing or eviction issues, please contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Federal Relief: This guide on federal programs outlines the benefits recently passed by Congress.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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