 Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board (UCAB) is seeking applicants, and I encourage you to apply! Boards, Committees, and Commissions are a fantastic way to have your voice heard. This board is a unique opportunity to serve the Upcounty.
The UCAB represents the Upcounty region of Montgomery County and advises the County Executive, County Council, and the Regional Director of the Upcounty area on needs and priorities such as transportation, human services, the environment, land use, public safety, and other issues of local importance. The board also reviews and comments on the County's capital and operating budgets and master plans; assists with strategies to tailor services to regional needs; and conducts workshops and forums.
The deadline to apply for the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board is Wednesday, August 6th. Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The hybrid board meetings are held at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown and virtually.
If you have any questions about the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board or the application, please reach out to me directly.
Over the last few months, the County Council has been hosting biweekly online resource sessions focused on employment, workforce development and unemployment benefits, immigration issues, housing assistance, health and wellness, and essential County services.
I will be hosting tonight's webinar virtually at 7PM via Zoom. The topic for the webinar is "Pursuing New Opportunities: Advancement through Workforce Training and Certification Programs." I will be joined by representatives from WorkSource Montgomery, the Universities at Shady Grove, and Montgomery College who will share information about advancement through workforce training and certification programs.
What: United in Service and Support Webinar: Pursuing New Opportunities: Advancement through Workforce Training and Certification Programs
When: Wednesday, July 23rd at 7PM
Where: Virtually via Zoom and televised on the County Council YouTube channel
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88438055896
If you would like to submit questions for the webinar, please visit the Council website. The online host will have access to read messages in the Q&A feature to protect the privacy of those joining the meeting.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and as always, you can visit the Council's resource webpage for information on a wide variety of services for Montgomery County residents.
 A graphic advertising the United in Service and Support Online Informational Series. Clicking the image directs to the County Council website.
I had such a fabulous meeting with two amazing parent-led advocacy groups in Germantown earlier this month! GOLFU and Together We Thrive are grassroots groups based out of the Waters Landing Elementary School community and they do such amazing work advocating for the Germantown community. During our almost two-hour meeting, we discussed a wide range of topics including safety around and in our schools, the importance of robust afterschool programs, the benefit of extracurricular activities, and facilities concerns within our school buildings.
The concerns raised by GOLFU and Together We Thrive came to my attention because of the groups' advocacy and strong voices. I love when communities come to me with what they are seeing in their neighborhoods and schools; while I can visit schools and neighborhoods, I will never get a full picture of the issues until I speak with community members. I will continue to meet with resident-led advocacy groups, and encourage you to reach out to me if you run a group and would like to sit down with me for a conversation.
Thank you to GOLFU and Together We Thrive, and I look forward to the work we can do together to benefit Waters Landing and Germantown as a whole.
 Councilmember Balcombe alongside members of GOLFU and Together We Thrive, two parent-led community groups from Waters Landing Elementary School in Germantown.
Make sure your calendar is marked for National Night Out 2025 in Germantown! It was great to see the community come out to last year's National Night Out event, and this year's event is going to be bigger and even better!
Stop by Montgomery College's Germantown Campus anytime between 5PM and 8PM on Tuesday, August 5th to meet representatives from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue (MCFRS) and the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) and to enjoy food trucks, local vendors, and activities for all ages! The event is being hosted by MCFRS and MCPD in partnership with The Upcounty Hub, Montgomery College, and Montgomery County Recreation. This event is not just for Germantown residents! Come by and enjoy the afternoon no matter where you live!
See you there!
 A flyer advertising National Night Out, which will be held on Tuesday, August 5th from 5-8PM at the Montgomery College Germantown campus.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The Economic Development (ECON) committee met on Monday, July 14th to discuss a new competitive grant process for small businesses. We received a briefing from the County Executive's team about his plan to disburse funding from the Small Business Support Services (SBSS) NDA. $1,357,429 will be dispersed to existing contractors - approximately $300,000 through a new competitive grant process and approximately $20,000 to sponsor networking events.
You can read more about this program in the Council staff packet and can watch a recording of our committee session on the Council YouTube channel. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office directly.
The ECON committee will be meeting again twice before we head into August recess. On Thursday, July 24th we will be having a joint work session with the Government Operations (GO) committee about Bill 22-25, Labor Peace Agreements - Hotel Development Projects. On Monday, July 28th, we will receive a briefing about agritourism.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee met on Monday, June 21st for a work session about the 2025 Technical Update to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways (MPOHT). During this work session, I raised concern that the removal of the Midcounty Highway Extended (M-83) project from the master plan, as recommended by the Planning Board, would have a detrimental impact to Upcounty communities - particularly Clarksburg. The committee vote was 2-1 to remove M-83 from the MPOHT, with me being the dissenting vote. The plan will move forward to full Council where I will continue to raise my voice for the needs of Clarksburg and the entire Upcounty.
You can review our staff packet on the Council website and can watch a recording of our committee session on the Council YouTube channel. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Our next TE committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 28th. We will be reviewing Bill 18-25, Forest Conservation - Trees and Expedited Bill 19-25, Noise Control - Leaf Removal Equipment - Seasonal Exemption. This will be our last committee session before August recess.
Council Legislation
Introductions:
Public Hearings:
Final Action:
Upcoming Public Hearings
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.
July 29, 2025
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1:30PM: Resolution to approve an amendment to the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program and Supplemental Appropriation #25-88 to the FY26 Capital Budget, Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, Montgomery Connects (No. P341700), $6,171,823
September 9, 2025
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
- Save the date for AfriThrive's inaugural Taste of Africa cultural celebration! Join AfriThrive on September 27th from 5-10PM at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown for an extraordinary evening celebrating African cuisine, culture, and community connection. Visit the AfriThrive website for more information!
 A flyer advertising the AfriThrive Taste of Africa cultural celebration, which will be held on September 27th from 5-10PM at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. Click the image to be redirected to the organization's website.
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Did you know that Montgomery County can help you make the switch to electric in your home? Electrify MC can assist you start your journey towards an energy efficient home. Go to http://rebrand.ly/ElectrifyMC to learn more and to sign up online. You can also call the program directly at 301-830-5767.
 A graphic advertising the Electrify MC program. Click the image to be redirected to the program website.
 A graphic advertising the Maryland Insurance Administration's Health Coverage Assistance Team (H-CAT). Click the image to be redirected to the agency's website.
- If you are struggling with high energy costs, please visit the Pepco website to learn about the Maryland Customer Relief Fund. This program provides up to $300 per household to eligible customers. Learn more and apply through the Pepco website
 A flyer advertising the Pepco Customer Relief Fund. Click the image to be redirected to the company website.
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.
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