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Last week the Council voted to approve the County’s $7.1 billion FY25 operating budget and $5.94 billion FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

I am proud that this budget focuses on our core priorities: investing in education, supporting public safety, producing and preserving affordable housing, combating climate change, protecting the most vulnerable, and jumpstarting economic development to grow our tax base.

Putting together a fiscally sound budget that meets the needs of Montgomery County’s 1.1 million residents is the ultimate balancing act. Our decisions were informed by robust public input. We heard from 255 residents at five public hearings, a 55% increase in participation from last year. Thank you to everyone who testified, emailed, called and corresponded with us throughout this process. Your feedback helps ensure our work reflects the community’s needs.

This budget doubles down on our investment in education by:

• Funding the MCPS operating budget at a record $3.3 billion.
• Adding $26.3 million in additional funding for public schools above the County Executive’s proposed level and $157.3 million more than last year.
• Fully funding Montgomery College in the amount of $334 million.
• Increasing funding for two additional MCPS oversight positions in the Office of the Inspector General.

We’re helping grow a thriving economy and strong workforce by:

• Restoring nearly $700,000 in recommended cuts to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation for a total funding level to $4.7 million.
• Continuing our multi-year commitment to support the recently established Institute for Health Computing, which is exploring how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and clinical analytics can facilitate knowledge and innovations for health and wellbeing.
• Funding a new biotechnology workforce training center in partnership with the State of Maryland.
• More than $4.1 million for the Economic Development Fund and more than $2.4 million for Montgomery County’s business incubators to help grow and retain businesses.

We’re continuing to strengthen public safety with major investments in our police department, fire rescue service, and first responders, including:

• $330 million for the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), which is an increase of nearly $18 million from the previous year and covers compensation increases for our hardworking public safety professionals, recruitment bonuses and new technology enhancements to support police operations.
• $290 million for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), which includes adding six firefighter positions to reduce response times and covers compensation increases.
• Ongoing funding to continue the highly successful Drone as First Responder Program in Silver Spring and Wheaton and expand it to the Upcounty and Bethesda.
• Increased funding to expand the Police Cadet Program.
• $1.2 million the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to protect our faith-based and ethnic-based organizations facing increasing threats and hate crimes at a time when it is needed more than ever.

We’re helping to build a more sustainable future by combatting the affordable housing crisis, greening our infrastructure, and making investments in transit services and our world class parks system, including:

• Historic funding for affordable housing at $168 million, including fulfilling the $50 million commitment for the Nonprofit Preservation Fund.
• More than $19 million dedicated to helping finance clean energy projects for residents and businesses through the Montgomery County Green Bank.
• $3.5 million for the Great Seneca Transit Network which will provide Upcounty residents with more mobility options and help reduce reliance on cars.
• Increased funding for our Climate Change and Vision Zero initiatives by a combined 51% to continue our efforts to build a cleaner, safer, more sustainable community.
• $183.3 million for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) to expand our heavily utilized trail network and maintain the parks and open spaces that are so vital to our community’s quality of life.

We’re prioritizing our safety-net services that residents rely on every day, including:

• $72.6 million dedicated to providing home and community-based services for older adults, persons with disabilities and their families through Aging and Disability Services.
• $64.4 million for the Department of Recreation, including increased funding for school based Out of School Time programming.
• $124.7 million for Children, Youth and Family Services, plus an additional $13.5 million for Early Childhood Services, $10.3 million for Early Care and Education and $2 million for Child Care Subsidies.

And we’ve upheld our commitment to taxpayers by:

• Holding the line on taxes.
• Maintaining healthy reserves at 10.8% to weather economic uncertainty and respond to potential fiscal volatility.
• Honoring the County’s long-term commitments to public employees with $59.1 million to fund retiree health benefits.

This budget is an important step toward setting us up for long-term success and economic mobility to ensure all our residents have access to high-performing schools, outstanding public services, and the high quality of life that you expect and deserve.

Watch my full comments on the budget here.

Constituent Services

I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.