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Budget Progress

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 05/15/2025 02:46 PM EDT

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Thursday, May 15, 2025

Budget Progress in Uncertain Times

The Council today preliminarily approved next year's operating and capital budgets. My priority throughout this process was to protect our residents from the chaos and destruction of the current federal administration and the significant fiscal headwinds we face.

How do we best protect our residents?

We do so by preserving and enhancing our public education system, our social safety net, our public safety resources, and our County workforce. Importantly, we also protect residents by safeguarding affordability and sustainability. That has a significant impact on people’s daily lives and the choices they make. Because of that, I couldn't in good conscience support a tax increase - whether property or income - on our residents during this time of financial strain and anxiety.

Residents spoke up about their need for greater consistency and predictability. Through compromise and creative problem solving, we were able to avoid a tax increase while investing in a number of key priorities, funding 99.8% of the school system's request, and supporting the public servants and nonprofit providers who every day make our County Government and partner agencies work.

Given the loss of federal sector jobs in Montgomery County and the region and the changes in the broader economy, we are passing a budget that we can both be proud of and that we fully recognize will likely change. It's our responsibility to constantly gauge where we stand, to be transparent with the public about hard decisions that will have to be made, and to view all of our work through the lens of what is fiscally sustainable and practical.

Thank you to everyone who contacted me and my office during the budget process and who testified at a public hearing. You helped make our final budget better and I'm grateful you stepped up on behalf of your families and communities.

More on the Budget

Cracking Down on For-Profit House Parties

Fox5 news achors discussing Bill 13-25, an effort to crack down on illegal house parties.

This week, I joined Fox5 DC to discuss my new bill targeting disruptive, for-profit house parties in Montgomery County. These events – often advertised and ticketed online – can draw large, disruptive crowds into residential neighborhoods, bringing noise, traffic, public safety risks, and significant quality-of-life concerns for nearby residents.

Our current enforcement tools simply aren’t enough to deter these commercial operations from using private homes as party venues. This bill would give the County stronger authority to issue civil citations and impose fines on individuals or businesses profiting from these events.

Our community deserves peace of mind, and this bill creates stronger enforcement tools to protect neighbors while holding event organizers accountable. I’m committed to working with residents, public safety officials, and my colleagues to move this bill forward and give our neighborhoods the tools they need.

Click the image above to watch the full Fox5 story.

Honoring our Public Safety Professionals

On May 6, 2025, Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke and Kristin Mink and County Executive Marc Elrich were joined by Montgomery County public safety officials to proclaim Public Safety Appreciation Day and proudly recognize our more than 4,100 dedicated public safety professionals in Montgomery County.

Together with Councilmembers Sidney Katz and Kristin Mink, County Executive Marc Elrich, and Montgomery County public safety officials, we celebrated Public Safety Appreciation Day and proudly recognized our more than 4,100 dedicated public safety professionals in Montgomery County.

I was proud to show our deep gratitude to the dedicated professionals who protect and serve our community each day. From our police and firefighters, to EMS personnel, to crisis intervention responders, and 9-1-1 communicators, these individuals go above and beyond to ensure our safety, often in the most challenging moments someone will ever experience.

Public safety is a cornerstone of a thriving, resilient county, and we are so fortunate to have such committed public servants in Montgomery County. I invite you to watch my remarks here.

To all who serve; thank you.

In the Community...

Councilmember Luedtke speaking at the Montgomery County AAPI Heritage Month Celebration.

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of AAPI communities in Montgomery County and across the nation. This month and every month, we celebrate the strength, diversity, and rich traditions that help shape our community.

Don’t miss the Gaitherburg Book Festival

Join fellow book lovers at the Gaithersburg Book Festival this Saturday, May 18! This free, all-day event features acclaimed authors, writing workshops, children’s activities, and local food vendors. Whether you're a fiction fanatic or nonfiction enthusiast, there's something for everyone.Don’t miss your chance to connect with the literary community and pick up your next great read!

Give Food, Ride Free!

From May 25–31, donate non-perishable food on any Ride, On, extRA, Flex, or Flash bus and ride free that day! All donations go to Manna Food Center to support local families in need. Click here to learn what to donate.

Summer Registration Open for MoCo Rec

Make the most of your summer with Montgomery County Recreation! From swim lessons to senior adventures, there's something for everyone. Resident registration opens May 13 at 6:30 a.m. (9 a.m. for senior programs. Applications for Recreation’s financial assistance program, Rec Assist, are currently being accepted. County residents who meet the program’s requirements can receive $400 per eligible family member in Rec Assist funds to use towards Recreation program fees. View the digital guide and sign up at ActiveMONTGOMERY or in person. Non-residents can register starting May 15.

MCPL Summer Reading Challenge

Get ready to “Color Our World” with Montgomery County Public Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Challenge, running June 14–Aug 31 for all ages. Register starting May 15 online or at any MCPL branch. Log books, earn prizes, and join kickoff events in Rockville, Germantown, and Chevy Chase.

Join us for EveryMile for EveryMind!

Join us for EveryMile for EveryMind–a 5K run, 1K walk, and kids fun run–on Sunday, May 18th at Rockville Town Square. This annual event brings our community together to support mental health services across Maryland during Mental Health Awareness Month.

You’re Invited: 6th District Police Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Join your local leaders for the grand opening of Montgomery County’s 6th District Police Station on Monday, June 2 from 12:00-1:30 PM at 222 Paramount Park Drive in Gaithersburg. This free community event celebrates a major milestone in public safety infrastructure. RSVP by May 19.

Nominate a Living Legend

Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards, honoring residents aged 75+ who have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy, and community care. Awardees will be recognized at the 28th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, held June 20-21 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Nominations are due by Saturday, June 1. To submit, send an email with a brief narrative and a list of community contributions.

Nurse Practitioner Job Opportunity

The Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic is growing—and they’re looking for a passionate Nurse Practitioner to join their mission-driven team! Don’t miss this opportunity—read the flyer for full details!

Girls Wired for Fire

Are you interested in becoming involved with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) with hands on experience? The inaugural Girls Wired for Fire week-long event will run from July 28th to August 1st at the Public Safety Training Academy. Applications are now open! Visit the MCFRS website to sign up!

Attend the 2025 Black Business Expo with the Black Collective

The 2nd Annual Black Business Expo will be hosted at Universities of Shady Grove - Ballroom on Tuesday, June 10 from 4:00-7:00pm. This event gives small businesses in Montgomery County the opportunity to network and showcase their products and services to the public as well as to other businesses. You will have the opportunity for one-on-one interactions with businesses and nonprofit agencies that include a range of industries including beauty, healthcare, career and business development, youth development, consulting services, education, and more! Find more information and register here.

Office of Councilmember Dawn Luedtke
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Email: Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov
Phone: 240-777-7860
Website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Luedtke/

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