 Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The Council is required to pass a balanced budget by June 1st. Therefore, I wanted to take a moment today to give you an overview on what we have undertaken so far and what we have to do before May 25th, when we are scheduled to vote on the budget.
Each Council committee convened for multiple work sessions to review its portion of the County Executive's proposed budget. Committee members made recommendations whether to approve or amend the proposed budget for each respective agency, representatives from which were present at the work sessions to answer questions and provide context. This year, committees had to place any funds above the approved Fiscal Year 2023 budget on a reconciliation list as either priority or high priority.
After the committees finished deliberations and put forward recommendations, we moved to the full Council to review their suggestions. The Council spent all of last week voting on whether we supported or wanted to alter the committee recommendations.
The Council is scheduled to take preliminary straw votes on the budget on May 18th. Our final budget vote is scheduled for May 25th.
If you would like to go back and watch any of the committee or Council work sessions on the budget, you can find recordings on our YouTube page. Agendas and staff packets are posted on our website.
Despite a loaded budget schedule, I have continued to find time for other activities. Here's what I've been up to when I am not in committee or Council work sessions.
Bi-County Budget Meeting with the Prince George's County Council
On May 11th, I joined my Council colleagues for a visit to WSSC Water in Laurel for a meeting with the Prince George's County Council. This visit was a great opportunity to foster camaraderie between the two Councils, which jointly oversee agencies such as the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and WSSC. During our brief meeting, we voted to approve budgets that our two counties mutually oversee.
 With the Prince George's County Council for our bi-county meeting.
Stopping by the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) Year-End Mixer
I had a great time at the USG year-end mixer last Thursday to recognize the accomplishments of students graduating this year. Students had the opportunity to celebrate their success and mingle with their peers, faculty, and community leaders. USG is a phenomenal asset to Montgomery County and I was excited to celebrate its students!
EveryMind's Mental Health Awareness walk
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to celebrate, I attended EveryMind's Mental Health Awareness Walk at the Germantown Town Center Urban Park. We practiced mindfulness activities such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork at the event, which was a great reminder to take care of your mental health!
If you haven't been to the Germantown Town Center Urban Park, I encourage you to visit next time you are at the Germantown Public Library. It is a beautiful and relaxing spot to enjoy a book or to picnic after visiting one of the many eateries located in the vicinity.
Presenting the Discover MoCo Month proclamation
Yesterday, I presented Visit Montgomery with a proclamation recognizing May as Discover MoCo Month. We also had representatives from the BlackRock Center for the Arts and the Maryland SoccerPlex join us as major tourism attractions in District 2! There are so many great places to explore and take advantage of in Montgomery County, and this proclamation celebrates our community's rich and diverse offerings! Visit Montgomery has been leading the charge in promoting Montgomery County as an attractive tourism destination, and Discover MoCo Month is its monthlong celebration of our state's cultural capital.
Visit the Discover MoCo website to learn more about all the exciting things happening across the county that you can participate in this month and beyond!
 Recognizing Discover MoCo Month with some of our fantastic partners.
Celebrating with Nature Forward's Woodend Forest
Nature Forward invited me to attend its recent Woodend Forest event last week to celebrate the recent passage of expedited Bill 25-22 - Forest Conservation – Trees, which was signed into law on April 3th this year. This legislation protects forests, increases reforestation ratios, expands mitigation requirements, and much more.
You can learn more and read the full text of the legislation here.
 It was great to celebrate our forests with Nature Forward.
- The Gaithersburg Book Festival is coming up soon on May 20th! The free event will be held from 10AM to 6PM at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg.
- There will be four locations where you can park and take a free and accessible shuttle to the festival. Shuttles will run continuously from 9:15AM to 6:30PM from the locations below:
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Lakeforest Mall Commuter Lot - located at the intersection of Odenhal Avenue and Lost Knife Road
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Quince Orchard Road Park and Ride - located at 400 Quince Orchard Road
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Shady Grove Metro Station, Rt. 355 side - located at 15903 Somerville Drive
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Walnut Hill Shopping Center - located at 16567 S. Frederick Avenue
- You can also park and walk to the festival. More information below.
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Gaithersburg Parking Garage - located at 112 Olde Towne Avenue
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Gaithersburg City Hall - located at 31 South Summit Avenue
- Visit the festival website for details on parking, accessibility, and more!
- Ride On Route 79 detour extended through September 24th. During the detour, buses will be turning right on Gateway Center Drive, left on Stringtown Road, left on Clarks Crossing Drive, right on Snowden Farm Parkway, and then return back on route.
- Visit the MCDOT website for a real-time list of service interruptions.
- The Department of Health and Human Services is hosting its annual Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Spring Forum from 6-8PM on May 18th.
- Register to attend the online forum here.
- Manna Food Center and the Department of Transportation are hosting the annual Ride On Food Drive from May 21st to May 27th. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off on all Ride On, extRa, Flex and Flash buses. Riders who donate food will have their bus fare waived.
- Learn more about the food drive here.
- Poolesville's Stevens Park Summer Recreation Program is just around the corner. Registration begins on May 22nd and the program runs from June 26th to August 4th.
- More information about the program can be found here.
- Montgomery Parks is seeking public input on its plan to replace the South Germantown Adventure Playground. You can share your feedback through an online Open Town Hall survey which will be accepting responses until May 29th.
- Click here to access the survey.
- There are multiple openings on County Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
- Learn more and apply for openings here.
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The Button Farm Living History Center will continue to host the Tubman Journey to Freedom Statue until May 30th. Saturday admission is free.
- The Department of Permitting Services is providing free deck inspections during Building Safety Month in May
- You can call 240-777-0311 to request an inspection or submit a service request on the DPS website.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7940.
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