COUNCIL PREPARES OLD FAIRMONT HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL FOR REDEVELOPMENT
 The historic former Fairmont Heights High School in Capitol Heights is one step closer to redevelopment. On Tuesday, April 29, the Council adopted CR-41-2025, a resolution transferring multiple county-owned properties to the Redevelopment Authority. Among those properties is the 168,000 square foot former Fairmont Heights High School building and the 14.9 acres of land on which it sits. The building has been vacant since 2017, when Prince George’s County Public Schools opened a new Fairmont Heights High School in Landover. In Fiscal Year 2025, the site received $5 million in state funding to build a film studio and soundstage on the property as part of its redevelopment.
   The former high school site is a prime location for development along the Blue Line Corridor. State Senators Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince George’s) and Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s) testified in favor of the land transfer, as did members of the Fairmont Heights Alumni Association. They want to see the new development protect the history and legacy of the former school, which opened in 1950 as a school for Black students, while transforming it into a new asset that can serve students and the community.
COUNCIL ADJUSTS COLLECTION OF TELECOM TAX, ALLOCATES $9.4M FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
 Additionally, on Tuesday, the Council voted to enact CB-18-2025, a bill changing the way the county collects telecommunications taxes. The bill, proposed by the Acting County Executive to generate revenue in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, replaces the county’s current 9% telecommunications sales and use tax with a flat excise tax of $3.50 per month, per phone line. Due to shifts in technology use over the last two decades, the annual revenue generated by the county’s telecommunications sales and use tax has declined by around $35 million. Montgomery County currently employs a similar excise tax of $3.50 and Baltimore City’s is $4. The new excise tax is projected to generate $51 million for the county in Fiscal Year 2026. At least 90% of the money generated is earmarked for Prince George’s County Public Schools.
The Council also approved the allocation of $9.4 million in financing from the Housing Investment Trust Fund to be used for affordable housing projects. By adopting resolutions CR-27-2025 and CR-29-2025, the Council allocated $5 million in loans to the New Carrollton Affordable Phases 1 and 2 on Garden City Drive, which will provide affordable housing for 112 low to moderate income seniors and 102 low to moderate income families. The adoption of CR-31-2025 directs $1.9 million in loans to the Park Place at Addison Road Metro project in Capitol Heights. That project will add 193 units for low to moderate income residents. CR-35-2025 allocates $2.5 million in loans to the Penn Place I project in District Heights, which plans to provide 168 affordable units to low to moderate income families.
COUNCIL HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON FY26 BUDGET, COMMITTEES HOST 14 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS
 As the Council works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget before the end of May, it held a public hearing on Monday, April 28. Nearly 50 members of the public addressed the Council, suggesting budget priorities and highlighting organizations they believe deserve extra funding. 38 of the speakers were there to advocate for Prince George’s Community Television, which was stripped of 75% of its funding in the Acting County Executive’s proposed FY26 Budget. CTV has received nearly $925,000 in county funding annually for at least the last three years. The proposed budget reduces that funding to just over $231,000.
 Additionally, Council Committees hosted 14 budget work sessions over the past week. The Council, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, as well as the Health, Human Services, and Public Safety; Education and Workforce Development; and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committees met with county-funded organizations and departments to discuss their budget priorities, including the Health Department, Office of the Sheriff, Fire/EMS, Board of Education, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and others.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON STATE BILLS PASSED IN ANNAPOLIS
Following the conclusion of the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis, the Council’s General Assembly Committee, on Tuesday, received a briefing from consultants who closely followed the session. They discussed the state’s $67 billion Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, funding directed to the county, and the restoration of funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. They also discussed the outcome of several bills that were supported by the Committee or impact the county.
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EMPLOY PRINCE GEORGE’S AND PGCPS LEADERS BRIEF COMMITTEE
 The Education and Workforce Development Committee received briefings from Employ Prince George’s and leadership from Prince George’s County Public Schools on their proposed FY 2026 budgets. Employ Prince George’s also discussed its focus on diversifying funding streams, increased unemployment rates and job losses stemming from the COVID pandemic, building the county’s labor force, providing intensive services to job center visitors, and helping young adults find employment.
 PGCPS Superintendent Millard House discussed reductions and adjustments made to PGCPS’ proposed FY 2026 budget to close a funding gap through additional budget cuts and staffing reductions. House also discussed components of the Blueprint legislation and the impact on the county.
COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER FIRE CHIEF BENJAMIN BARKSDALE
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The Council mourns the loss of former Prince George’s County Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale, who passed away at the age of 60. Chief Barksdale’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of our community will never be forgotten. He spent eight years with PGFD before retiring in 2019. We extend heartfelt condolences to Chief Barksdale’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. |
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