|
COUNCIL ADOPTS BALANCED $6 BILLION FY 2027 COUNTY BUDGET
    On Wednesday, May 27, the Council adopted a balanced $6 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, which is set to begin on July 1, 2026. The finalized operating and capital spending plans are the result of two-and-a-half months of hard work by Council Members, gathering community and agency feedback and making enhancements to the budget that was proposed by County Executive Aisha Braveboy on March 12. The FY 2027 budget closes a nearly $155 million structural deficit and prioritizes education, public safety, infrastructure, and essential services for all Prince Georgians.
Council Members made several enhancements to the final budget, including adding $2 million for child care grants, $100,000 for the police department to establish the Missing Black Girls Campaign, $250,000 for domestic violence prevention, increased Health Department funding for the Early Connections autism campaign, and $1.3 million for meal deliveries to the elderly, including medically-tailored meals.
In this budget, the Council also expressed its commitment to beautifying the county, providing housing assistance, and investing in transportation and infrastructure, including $25 million for road improvements, $1.2 million for rental assistance, support for the Community Housing Trust and landbank, and funding to launch an Own The Block pilot program to teach residents about commercial real estate opportunities.
Key Operating Budget Funding Amounts:
- Police Department: $453 million
- Fire/EMS Department: $322 million
- Sheriff’s Office: $70 million
- Memorial Library System: $39 million
- PGCC: $144 million
- PGCPS Board of Education: $2.97 billion
|
|
COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD LAUNCHES FREE GROCERY STORE INSIDE FAIRMOUNT HEIGHTS BRANCH LIBRARY
   Aiming to reduce food insecurity in her district, Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) launched the Fairmount Five Market on Thursday, May 28, a unique partnership with Goodr and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, providing free groceries to up to 200 families in District 5 each week. Council Member Adams-Stafford was joined for the grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting by Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8), Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large), County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore, and other elected officials, as well as representatives from Goodr and PGCMLS. Unlike a traditional food pantry, this innovative food distribution initiative allows residents to “shop” for free grocery products at the Fairmount Five Market, located inside the Fairmount Heights Branch Library, reducing the stigma typically associated with free food distribution. Chair Oriadha is opening a similar free grocery store in District 7 in the coming weeks.
|
|
COUNCIL ENACTS BILL SUPPORTING SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS
 On Tuesday, May 26, the Council enacted CB-24-2026, a bill proposed by Council Members Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) and Tim Adams (District 4) to support service-disabled veteran business owners in Prince George’s County, home to the largest veteran population in the state. Council Members Adams and Adams-Stafford held a press conference following the bill’s final passage. The legislation establishes the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Preference Program, where county businesses owned by service-disabled veterans will receive an additional 5% preference when bidding on county procurement contracts. Additionally, the county is required to publicly display a directory of all service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in Prince George’s County, and the Office of Procurement is required to report the dollar amount of procurement contracts awarded to these businesses each year. The goal is to help veteran business owners overcome barriers to securing contracts with the county.
|
|
COUNCIL MEMBER BURROUGHS LAUNCHES FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM DISTRIBUTING FREE SMOKE ALARMS, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 In honor of Jonah West-Ramirez, a 9-year-old who tragically died in a fire last year, Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8) launched a new fire safety program on Tuesday, May 26, distributing 500 smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to families in District 8. During Tuesday’s launch event, hosted at Fire Station 83 in Fort Washington, Council Member Burroughs was joined by Jonah’s mom, Dionne West, and Fire Chief Thelmetria Michaelides.
|
|
TIEE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS BILL SIMPLIFYING EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS
  In response to county residents being taken into ICE custody and their cars left abandoned, and potentially towed and impounded, Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) introduced emergency legislation making it easier for family members to retrieve those vehicles. The bill, CB-33-2026, received a favorable recommendation from the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee on Thursday, May 28. The bill would allow someone authorized by the vehicle’s owner, through a notarized letter or letter from an insurance company, to retrieve the vehicle. Additionally, a family member or someone who lives with the owner would be able to retrieve the vehicle by providing documentation to show they live together or are related. Under the legislation, anyone who falsely attempts to claim a vehicle would be subject to a $500 fine.
|
|
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - FY 2027 COUNTY COUNCIL NON-DEPARTMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM
 Nonprofit organizations seeking County Council consideration of being tentatively designated to receive FY 2027 Non-Departmental grant funds must complete a Letter of Consideration within the Council's Grants Management System (GMS). GMS may be accessed via this link: https://pgccouncilgms.us/pages/public. All organizations must register for a GMS login using the link above, prior to gaining access for Letter of Consideration submission.
|
|
|
June 2 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
June 2 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM - DETAILS
June 3 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 2:00 PM - Streamlining Development Review -DETAILS
June 3 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
June 3 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 6:00 PM - Cannabis Reinvestment & Restoration Board - DETAILS
June 4 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
June 4 - PSHHS Committee - 1:30 PM
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.
|
|
|
|
|
