|
Bill 45-23, Property Tax Credit - Individuals 65 and Above, Retired Military Service Members, and Disabled Military Service Members
Introduction: Lead sponsor Council President Friedson will introduce Bill 45-23, Property Tax Credit - Individuals 65 and Above, Retired Military Service Members, and Disabled Military Service Members, which would update the eligibility criteria for the property tax credit available to individuals 65 and above and to retired or disabled military service members and their spouses. It would also progressively alter the amounts of the property tax credit and generally amend the property tax credit for individuals 65 and older and for retired or disabled military service members and their spouses.
A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2024.
Expedited Bill 46-23, OPT/SLT Bargaining Units - Pension and Retirement Adjustments
Introduction: Lead sponsor, Councilmember Sidney Katz will introduce Expedited Bill 46-23, OPT/SLT Bargaining Units - Pension and Retirement Adjustments. Bill 46-23 would extend from Jan. 4, 2024, to Aug. 7, 2024, the deadline for eligible County employees enrolled in Groups E and J of the Employees’ Retirement System to elect to purchase credited years of service with their existing Retirement Savings Plan or Guaranteed Retirement Income Plan balances.
A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024.
Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition - Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education (SAFE) Act
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition - Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education (SAFE) Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop literature about firearm safety, suicide prevention and conflict resolution. The bill would require sellers of firearms or ammunition to display and distribute the literature at points of sale and enable DHHS to enforce the display and distribution requirements.
The lead sponsor of the SAFE Act is Councilmember Glass. Council President Friedson and Councilmembers Albornoz, Stewart, Sayles, Katz, Balcombe, Jawando and Luedtke are cosponsors. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee recommends enactment with amendments.
Supplemental Appropriation #24-36 to the FY24 Capital Budget Montgomery County Government, Office of the County Executive, Business Center Life Sciences and Technology Centers (No. 789057) $400,000
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a $400,000 supplemental appropriation to convert vacant office space to wet labs at the Germantown Incubator on Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. In FY22, the Council approved a project to convert the vacant office space; however, the appropriation is needed due to delays and accompanying cost increases in the project.
Prior County efforts and studies, including the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s Bio Lab Pilot Project and the Planning Department’s work on the Great Seneca Corridor, have highlighted the need for additional small wet lab space at a time when the demand for office space has decreased. While there is significant demand for wet lab space, it is very difficult for small life sciences businesses to finance the capital costs of wet labs. The availability of rental space at a reasonable cost will help foster the growth of emerging businesses in this sector.
The joint Economic Development (ECON) and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee recommends approval of the supplemental appropriation.
Special Appropriation #24-37 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Office of Food Systems Resilience and Department of Health and Human Services Food Security Initiative, $11,060,000 (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves) and Amendment to FY24 Operating Budget Resolution 20-184, Section G, FY24 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Capital Area Food Bank, Inc.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a more than $11 million special appropriation for food security initiatives. The appropriation provides $6.5 million for the Capital Area Food Bank, Inc. contract to support 51 food assistance providers to source shelf-stable food and pre-packed produce boxes for distribution in Montgomery County. An additional $90,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services will support contract staffing to act as a trainer and point of contact for Montgomery County Public Schools and Parent Community Coordinators. More than $4.4 million in additional funding for the Office of Food Security Resilience will support implementation of the strategies identified in the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger.
The joint GO and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee recommends approval of the special appropriation.
Special Appropriation #24-39 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Respite Center for Arriving Migrants Grant Program, SAMU Foundation (d.b.a. SAMU First Response), $2,261,663
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a more than $2.2 million special appropriation for the OEMHS Respite Center for Arriving Migrants Grant Program. The appropriation is needed to support services offered by SAMU First Response, which is a nonprofit organization providing immediate humanitarian relief. The funding supports the County's efforts to assist with the short-term needs of migrants through non-profits and community organizations.
This special appropriation will allow SAMU First Response to continue to provide respite services, including emergency shelter, food and transportation services for migrants arriving in Montgomery County. The organization's current funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program will end on Dec. 31, 2023.
The joint GO, Public Safety (PS) and HHS Committee recommends approval of the special appropriation.
Special Appropriation #24-14 to the FY24 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Rent Stabilization Bill - $1,374,470
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a more than $1.3 million special appropriation needed to implement Bill 15-23 Landlord-Tenant Relations - Rent Stabilization. As part of the bill’s requirements, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs will be responsible for reviewing and approving certain rent increases, grant exemptions and generally managing the program. This request will fund a new Rent Stabilization Office and an online website related to all rent stabilization matters, including landlord petitions and tenant complaints and an online portal for landlords to report the mandated rent increase data.
The joint Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) and GO Committee recommends approval of the special appropriation.
|
