 Wednesday, November 5, 2025
As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, Montgomery County remains committed to assisting our residents who have been impacted by the shutdown, as well as the looming changes in SNAP benefits. Yesterday, the Council introduced a $7.75 million special appropriation as part of a Public Service Support Resolution to provide assistance for residents and nonprofit organizations impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and federal administration policies. The appropriation includes $3.5 million for the Office of Food Systems Resilience, $2.25 million for the Community Grants Non-Departmental Account (NDA), $1.5 million for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and $500,000 for the Economic Development Fund.
Last week, I visited the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center alongside my Council colleagues and Governor Wes Moore to participate in a discussion about how to assist Marylanders who are impacted by the ongoing shutdown.
If you are affected by the shutdown and require support, visit the County's dedicated webpage for more information and resources.
 Photo 1: Councilmember Balcombe shaking hands with Governor Wes Moore at the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center. Photo 2: Councilmember Balcombe speaks at a press conference announcing the $7.75 million special appropriation introduced by the County Council to provide assistance for residents impacted by federal administration policies.
We have a new park! The Royce Hanson Conversation Park at Broad Run is 475 acres of beauty, with scenic trails, high-quality natural areas, and a rich history. The park honors Dr. Royce Hanson, whose land use strategies helped create the Agricultural Reserve. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Royce Hanson Conservation Park is located at 21820 Club Hollow Road in Poolesville. I was so excited to join Royce for the grand opening of the park this past weekend, and hope you will check out the park yourself!
 Photo 1: Royce Hanson speaks at the grand opening of the Royce Hanson Conservation Park. Photo 2: A selfie of Councilmember Balcombe and Royce Hanson.
I am so honored to have been recognized by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement with the 2025 Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award. This award recognizes public officials who work to build a stronger nonprofit sector and a more vibrant community. Nonprofits contribute greatly to our economy and provide crucial services that may otherwise not be available. They provide jobs, purchase goods and services, and lease commercial space. We should do everything we can to support them and the people they serve.
Before I was elected to the Montgomery County Council, I ran several nonprofits for over 20 years and know firsthand how challenging the work of nonprofits. Now more than ever, our government relies on local nonprofits to help us serve residents. Nonprofits are the front line workers who have the deepest connection with the individuals we all serve. We rely on our nonprofits daily, and I do not take your contributions for granted.
 Councilmember Balcombe with Ari Brooks, Executive Director of Friends of the Library, a previous recipient of the Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award.
The Montgomery County Council is hosting a Youth Town Hall tonight at 7PM at the Council Office Building, located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. This meeting is an opportunity for students to share their concerns and views directly with councilmembers. The Council is hosting a pizza reception for students who attend the youth town hall at 6:15PM. This event is hybrid, so students who are unable to join in person can participate through a Zoom webinar.
All students must register to participate and receive their two student service learning hours. A Zoom link for the webinar will also be sent out to students after they register. Learn more about the event on the Council website, and register to participate here.
 A graphic advertising the Youth Town Hall, which will be held tonight at 7PM at the Council Office Building in Rockville.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The next Economic Development (ECON) committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 10th. We will be receiving an update on the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation's activities and outlook for 2026, and will be working on a resolution to redesignate the agency as the County's Economic Development Corporation. We will be meeting on November 12th for a joint session with the Planning, Housing, and Parks committee for a discussion about value-added agriculture and tourism.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee met on Monday, November 3rd to discuss Expedited Bill 30-25, Noise Control - Leaf Removal Equipment - Enforcement Procedures. We also received an update on transit services. We met again this morning to approve a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Transportation.
Our next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17th for our second work session on Bill 24-25, Transportation Demand Management - Repeal.
Council Legislation
Below is a list of recent legislation that the County Council has taken action on.
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.
DATE
The following County Council appointed boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
- The Bring Your Own Bag law will take effect on January 1, 2026. This law increases the paper bag tax to 10 cents per bag and bans plastic carryout bags in some municipalities.
- Do you have paper documents you need to shred and recycle? Come by the Community Paper Shredding and Recycling Event on Saturday, November 15th between 10AM and 2PM to shred what you need to! This event will take place at the Montgomery College Rockville campus in parking lot 13. There is a limit of 5 paper bags or small boxes per vehicle. Paper will be shredded on-site and then recycled. Learn more about the event on the Department of Environmental Protection 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.
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.
|
