Montgomery County Council Meets on May 21 for Final Votes on the County's $7.9 Billion Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget, $1.3 Billion FY27 Capital Budget and $6.3 Billion FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program

Council expected to take final votes on a new progressive income tax structure, $143 million increase in local operating funding for Montgomery County Public Schools and budget resolutions that prioritize funding for critical safety net services

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2026

The Montgomery County Council will meet on Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. to take final votes on resolutions to approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Capital Budget, FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and the FY27 Operating Budget. The Council also will introduce two expedited bills to authorize the planning, design and construction of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center and North Bethesda Fire Station projects.

The Council staff reports containing the resolutions will be available by May 21.

Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Budget and Fiscal Year 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program Resolutions

Vote expected: The Montgomery County Council is scheduled to vote to approve the following resolutions for the FY27 Capital Budget and FY27-32 CIP:

• County Government
• Montgomery County Public Schools
• Montgomery College
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Revenue Authority
• Housing Opportunities Commission
• Aggregate Capital Budget for County General Obligation Bonds - Spending Affordability Guidelines
• Aggregate Capital Budget for Park and Planning Bonds - Spending Affordability Guidelines
• FY27 State Participation

Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget Resolutions

The Council is also scheduled to vote to approve the following resolutions for the FY27 Operating Budget:

• County Government
• Montgomery County Public Schools
• Montgomery College
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Administrative Expense Budget of the Washington Suburban Transit Commission
• Aggregate Operating Budget – Spending Affordability Guidelines
• Resolution to set amount of Property Tax Credit for Income Tax Offset

Additional Resolutions

Additionally, the Council is scheduled to vote to approve the following resolutions:

• WSSCWater – FY27‑32 Capital Improvements Program
• WSSCWater – FY27 Capital and Operating Budgets
• County Cable Communications Plan
• Resolution to establish the FY27 Property Tax Rates
• Resolution to authorize the substitution of Current Revenue for General Obligation Bonds in FY27
• Authority to Substitute Current Revenue for General Obligation Bonds in FY26 – Revised
• Authority to Substitute Current Revenue for General Obligation Bonds in FY27

Consent Calendar

Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Thursday, May 21, which is available on the Council website.

Legislative Session

Expedited Bill 25-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center

Introduction: The Council will introduce Expedited Bill 25-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, with would authorize the planning, design and construction of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center.

The County Code requires certain capital improvement projects to be individually authorized by law if the locally funded cost is projected to exceed the special projects legislation threshold of more than $25.5 million for FY27. The estimated locally funded cost of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center Projects in the FY27 Capital Budget and the FY27-32 CIP is more than $45.3 million for planning, design and construction costs.

The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of County Executive. A public hearing and action are scheduled for June 16.

Expedited Bill 26-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - North Bethesda Fire Station

Introduction: The Council will introduce Expedited Bill 26-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - North Bethesda Fire Station, which would authorize the planning, design and construction of the North Bethesda Fire Station. The County Code requires certain capital improvement projects to be individually authorized by law if the locally funded cost is projected to exceed the special projects legislation threshold of more than $25.5 million for FY27.

On May 18, 2026, the County Executive transmitted a request for a Special Capital Improvements Project bill associated with the FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program for the North Bethesda Fire Station. The estimated locally funded cost of the North Bethesda Fire Station in the FY27 Capital Budget the FY27-32 CIP is more than $51.5 million for planning, design, construction and other costs.

The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of County Executive. A public hearing and action are scheduled for June 16.

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Contact:

Sonya Healy
240-777-7926
Sonya.Healy@montgomerycountymd.gov

Additional Contact:

Benjamin Sky Brandt
240-777-7884
Benjamin.Brandt@montgomerycountymd.gov

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