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Friday, May 16, 2024

Important Investments in Approved Budget

On Thursday, the Council preliminarily approved next fiscal year's operating budget and the County's six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP). This is among the Council's most important responsibilities - and the budgets we've approved will provide significant increased funding for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), expand public safety coverage and youth safety initiatives in the Upcounty, deliver more pre-K seats, begin work on long-promised projects in District 7, and much more.

There are many needs in our community. We have a responsibility to ensure fiscal sustainability while serving those needs. View my remarks on the operating and capital budgets below and look for more information on some of these key investments in the weeks and months ahead:

Click the image to view Councilmember Luedtke's remarks on the FY25 Operating Budget and FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program

Share Your Input on the Ag Reserve!

Celebrate Pride Month!

Click the image for event details

Recognizing Our Public Safety Professionals

On May 7, the Executive Branch, Councilmember Katz, Councilmember Mink, and myself as members of the Council's Public Safety Committee presented a proclamation for Public Safety Appreciation Day. 

Montgomery County is fortunate to have more than 4,000 dedicated public safety professionals across a diverse array of fields and disciplines, including our law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, mental health clinicians, community intervention professionals and emergency call takers. We're grateful for their extraordinary efforts to protect us 24/7, 365 days a year and owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. 

This Sunday, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, there will be a free event to celebrate. Come out and interact with law enforcement and fire rescue personnel through interactive displays, education, and giveaways.

Councilmember Luedtke presents a proclamation for Public Safety Appreciation Day.

In the Community...

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is May 27. This is an opportunity to honor and express our deepest appreciation for those who courageously served and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. There are a number of ways to pay tribute to our fallen heroes, including the City of Rockville’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, the Flags For Our Heroes Opening Ceremony at Bohrer Park, and the City of Gaithersburg’s Memorial Day Observance. Explore the online tribute to our County’s Fallen Heroes.

On May 27, County offices will be closed. Ride On bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, Ride On Flash bus service will operate on a weekend schedule, and Ride On extRa and Flex bus service will not be in service. Parking at Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton Public Garages, Lots, and Curbside Meters will be free.

Damascus Main Street

Have you heard about the Damascus Placemaking Festival? It's part of Montgomery Planning’s initiative to cultivate a shared vision for the future of the Damascus Main Street. This fall, Montgomery Planning will host an event that celebrates the community’s agrarian past and small-town character and addresses the needs of the future. Leading up to the event, Montgomery Planning is working with Damascus residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to plan the festival and strengthen community ties to local businesses. 

Save the date for the Damascus Placemaking Kickoff Meeting: Monday, June 3 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Damascus High School. This will be the community’s formal introduction to the Damascus Placemaking Festival planning process. It will be our opportunity to generate excitement, recruit volunteers, and solicit feedback - and there will be some fun with hands-on activities. I hope to see you there! 

Recreation’s Summer Registration Open 

Registration for Montgomery County Department of Recreation’s summer programs for toddlers, youth, teens, adults, and older adults has begun! Learn more and sign up here.

Newcomers Resource Fair

On May 18, the County will host a Newcomers Resource Fair to share information about County services including public schools, health programs, and English classes. Free immigration legal consultations will be provided until 1 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bus Transition Plan to Reach Zero Emissions by 2035

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation and Department of General Services have released a Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan to convert the County’s transit fleet of nearly 400 Ride On buses to zero-emission vehicles by 2035 to meet our climate goals. The plan is comprehensive, innovative, and flexible and it will be updated regularly to reflect new funding streams and advanced technology options. Learn more here. 

Relaunched Green Business Certification Program 

DEP has relaunched its Green Business Certification Program. This voluntary recognition program aims to encourage businesses and other organizations to take steps to reduce their environmental footprint.

Seeking Input for Edible Food Recovery Study

Calling all businesses and food assistance providers! Montgomery County is conducting an Edible Food Recovery Study and is seeking input so we can better identify types and amounts of edible food generated. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete.  

Spring and Summer is Paving Season

View MCDOT's paving and sidewalk reconstruction schedules below: 

• Primary Road Resurfacing
• Residential Road Resurfacing
• Permanent Patching
• Sidewalk/Curb & Gutter

To submit a request for road repair, drainage work, potholes, and more, click here.

Preventing Underage Drinking

Congratulations to Watkins Mill High School student, Megan Lee, for winning this year's Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services’ Keeping It Safe PSA video contest! Watch her winning video here. 

If you or someone you know needs support, check out the resources and tools from the Keeping It Safe coalition. 

Councilmember Luedtke presents a certificate at the ribbon cutting of a new local business in Sandy Spring.

I was thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Christopher's Hardware with their new nursery center in Sandy Spring. Congratulations Glenna, Tom, and all generations of the Christopher family who were present at the ribbon cutting with the Olney Chamber of Commerce!

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