 Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The Council began its full Council deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget last week. Our goal is to pass a final budget before Memorial Day, and are currently scheduled to take final budget action on Thursday, May 22nd.
If you would like to review minutes from all of our full Council discussions, visit the Council website or click the links below. You can also watch our sessions on demand through the Council website and the Council YouTube channel.
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Monday, May 5th Session:
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Tuesday, May 6th Session:
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Wednesday, May 7th Session:
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Thursday, May 8th Session:
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Friday, May 9th Session:
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Monday, May 12th Session:
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Tuesday, May 13th Session:
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Wednesday, May 14 Session:
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Agenda | Meeting Minutes | Recordings of Session (AM/PM)
There is detailed information under the Council Updates section below about decisions points made about Transportation and Environment and Economic Development budget items. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at this time regarding the budget.
Montgomery County's newest farmers market is in full swing! The grand opening of the Clarksburg Farmers Market was held on Thursday, May 1st; the market will be open every Thursday from 4-8PM at The Clarksburg Yard (22820 Frederick Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871). I stopped by the market on its first day and was thrilled to see a variety of vendors; the excitement from the community was palpable! If you are a vendor who would like to participate in the farmers market, head to The Clarksburg Yard's website to submit a vendor application.
Kudos to the team at The Clarksburg Yard who have been hard at work for the Clarksburg community for making the farmers market vision a reality!
 Two photos of Councilmember Balcombe at the Clarksburg Farmers Market with volunteers from The Clarksburg Yard and Sandy Spring Gardens.
Montgomery Planning is seeking community participation in the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment community visioning process. This plan focuses on the commercial areas and surrounding neighborhoods on both sides of I-270 in Germantown. Community feedback ensures that the planning team working on this sector plan amendment understands constituent priorities, concerns, and ideas to best shape Germantown's future.
If you have feedback you'd like to share, please complete Montgomery Planning's visioning questionnaire. The agency will be hosting two community workshops and I encourage you to attend. More information is below.
Monday, June 16th from 6:30-8:30PM
Germantown Library: 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown, MD 20874
Register for the workshop
Wednesday, June 25th from 6:30-8:30PM
Seneca Valley High School Cafeteria: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
Register for the workshop
I had the great honor of attending Montgomery County's annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration on Sunday, May 4th at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. Germantown is one of the most diverse communities in the country and it was great to bring this celebration to the area for the fourth year in a row. Thank you to everyone who showcased their culture and heritage at this fabulous event! Thank you to the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, the Asian American Health Initiative, and all event sponsors for putting together this celebration!
 Councilmember Balcombe and Mayur Mody of the American Diversity Group at the Montgomery County AAPI Heritage Month Celebration.
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is coming up this Saturday, May 17th. The festival will be held at Bohrer Park (516 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877) from 10AM to 6PM. Admission and parking are both free!
Check out the master schedule to plan your day and I hope to run into you there!
 A flyer advertising the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Click the flyer to be redirected to the event website.
Below is a readout of Economic Development and Transportation and Environment related budget items that have been taken up by the full Council. Visit the Council website or click the links below to review each staff packet and recommendation in detail.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
Transportation and Environment Committee
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WSSCWater
- Council straw vote taken: 10 Yes, 1 No
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WSSCWater FY26 System Development Charge
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Washington Suburban Transit Commission
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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General Services - Fleet
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Recycling and Resource Management
- No Council straw vote was taken
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FY26 Solid Waste Service Charges
- No Council straw vote was taken
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Climate Change Planning NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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FY26 Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Department of Transportation - Mass Transit Fund
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Department of Transportation - General Fund
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Department of Transportation - Parking Lot Districts
- Council straw vote taken: 11 Yes
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Montgomery County Green Bank NDA
- No Council straw vote was taken
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Utilities NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Motor Pool NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Department of Environmental Protection - General Fund
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Department of Environmental Protection - Water Quality Protection Fund
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Homeowners Association Roads Reimbursement NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Weather Response NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Vision Zero NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
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Rockville Parking District NDA
- Council straw vote taken: 9 Yes, 2 councilmembers not present
Council Legislation
There was one piece of legislation introduced during the Council's work session on Tuesday, May 6th. Learn more below.
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Bill 13-25, Licensing and Regulations Generally - Picnics, Dances, Soirees, and Other Entertainment - Amendments
- This legislation would prohibit an unlicensed party for gain or profit to which the public is admitted with certain exceptions. It would establish the penalty for violation of the prohibition against an unlicensed party for gain or profit at a residential property to which the general public is admitted and related violations in the same occurance.
- Lead sponsors: Councilmembers Luedtke and Friedson
- Co-sponsors: Councilmembers Albornoz, Balcombe, Stewart, Glass, and Katz
- Public hearing is scheduled for June 10th at 1:30PM
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, May 13th, we heard from the community about a resolution to increase the Montgomery County income tax rate. Thank you to everyone who took the time to voice their opinion during the public hearing and to everyone who wrote to my office with their comments.
To testify at a Council public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony, please visit the Council website or call 240-777-7803. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 1:30PM public hearing is 2PM the day prior. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 7PM public hearing is 5PM the day prior.
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
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 240-777-7960.
If you were forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to my newsletter, click the button below. I look forward to remaining in touch with you and serving you as your Councilmember.
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