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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Montgomery County Council Holds FY27 Budget Public Hearing – April 9, 2026

County Council & Committees — Thursday, April 9, 2026

BodyMontgomery County, Maryland

SessionCounty Council & Committees

DateThursday, April 9, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:12:49

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:02

Uh, my name is Nara Lefani Gonzalez.

0:05

I am the Council President.

0:06

Thank you so much for coming here today for public hearings.

0:10

Um, this is agenda item one is a public hearing on the FY27 operating budget and FY27-32 Public Services Program and Fiscal Policy for Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC and Montgomery County Public Schools.

0:31

Committee work sessions on the FY27 operating budgets and FY27-32 Public Services Program in Fiscal Policy from Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC, and Montgomery County Police Schools will be scheduled through the end of April.

0:50

As a reminder of our public hearing testimony guidelines, your comments must be limited to issues relevant to the public hearing topic for which you are testifying in our appropriate for a public meeting.

1:02

You will hear a tune when your time is up, and we appreciate everyone abiding by their loaded time.

1:08

Please do not boo or comment or clap when somebody is speaking.

1:14

If you feel excited because somebody said something nice, you can do like this.

1:20

But do not make noise.

1:22

So I'm gonna call on the first six speakers.

1:25

So if you hear your name, please come forward.

1:28

Linda Bergowski.

1:31

I missed out that one probably.

1:33

Shannon Babe Thomas, Abe Shoopman, Akansha Sing, Esther Wells, Jali Fernando.

1:45

Or Hali Fernandez.

1:48

We're gonna start with Ms.

1:49

Linda.

1:52

If you can please turn on your mic and you all have three minutes.

1:56

You may begin.

1:58

Madam President and distinguished members of the County Council.

2:02

My name is Linda Brogovski, and I'm the co-chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Aging.

2:07

The Commission is gratified that the County Executive allocated $78.8 million for aging and disability services.

2:14

However, we'd like to call your attention to two programs we identified as budget priorities that do not appear to be adequately represented in the county executive's budget.

2:25

First, in-home respite is a program that provides temporary occasional care for frail elderly, adults, and children with disabilities to give relief to family and other primary caregivers.

2:36

In-home respite is the number one service requested by caregivers, and one that is available to all residents regardless of income.

2:44

It allows caregivers to stay on the job while older and disabled residents can stay safely in their homes.

2:51

The FY27 budget request assumes the same number of clients that will be served in 25 in fiscal 25 will be the same in fiscal 26 and 27.

3:03

No growth in the number of clients.

3:05

All evidence points to demand for this service growing at an astronomical rate, geometrically increasing as the proportion of older and disabled adults grows.

3:16

We believe it is better to plan and budget for the actual anticipated need rather than artificially constraining demand through an insufficient budget request.

3:28

We should not rely on emergency appropriations for which thank you for that.

3:33

Um but we respectfully request additional funding, upwards of 250,000 to ensure that we have a robust and equitable respite program.

3:46

Second, Montgomery County is home to more villages than any other place in the country.

3:51

Villages provide family caregivers and care recipients with personal support that enables to can enables them to continue to live in dignity in their communities.

4:01

Volunteer-powered villages also save the county and state money by keeping people in their homes and avoiding institutionalization.

4:10

The FY27 budget includes funds for a village's coordinator, and her role is to support current and emerging villages.

4:20

But we can do better for the chronically historically underserved areas up county and in East County, where there are no villages.

4:30

Specifically, we asked for $60,000 in competitive grants to fund organizations that would like to start villages in these areas.

4:41

By not focusing on villages in these underserved areas, the county is perpetuating inequities and quality of life, access to services, and even outcomes for thousands of residents.

4:54

We urge the council to fund what the evidence shows works.

5:00

And what you so much.

5:02

Can I finish my sentence?

5:04

Sentence, yes.

5:05

Thank you.

5:05

And what delivers a positive return on an investment and for the commission, that is respite care and the villages.

5:12

Thank you.

5:13

Thank you.

5:14

Shannon Babe Thomas.

5:15

Good afternoon.

5:16

My name is Shannon Babe Thomas, and I'm the executive director of Community Bridges.

5:20

I first want to thank you all for your ongoing support of our work.

5:23

We could not serve the girls and families of Montgomery County without each of you.

5:26

But I'm here today to urge your support for an 8% cost of living adjustment for the county nonprofit contracts.

5:32

The 2.5 percent inflationary increase in the executives proposed FY27 budget is simply just not enough.

5:39

Nonprofits are being asked to do more with less, and without this adjustment, we risk service disruption and staff burnout.

5:46

I want to share a story with you about Rosa and her daughter Wendy.

5:48

In December, Rosa's husband was detained, leaving her to care for Wendy alone.

5:52

Overnight she faced impossible choices, how to pay for rents, how to feed her family, keep Wendy in school, and most importantly, keep her connected to community bridges.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Health Services████████8%

Fiscal Sustainability████████8%

Public Health████████8%

Environmental Protection███████7%

Waste Management███████7%

Social Services██████6%

Food Security██████6%

Affordable Housing██████6%

Mental Health Awareness█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Montgomery County Council FY27 Budget Public Hearing – April 9, 2026

On April 9, 2026, the Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on the FY27 Operating Budgets and FY27-32 Public Services Program and Fiscal Policy for Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC Water, and Montgomery County Public Schools. Council President Natali Fani-González chaired the hearing; all 11 councilmembers were present. The hearing began at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room in Rockville, included in-person and virtual testimony, and adjourned at 3:43 p.m. Committee worksessions on the budget and fiscal policy are scheduled through April.

Public Comments & Testimony

Linda Brogovski (Co-chair, Montgomery County Commission on Aging) asked for additional funding for in-home respite (upwards of $250,000) and $60,000 for competitive grants to start villages in underserved areas; noted the County Executive allocated $78.8 million for aging and disability services.
Shannon Babe Thomas (Executive Director, Community Bridges) urged an 8% cost-of-living adjustment for nonprofit contracts instead of the proposed 2.5%, citing insurance premiums up 11% and rent up 5%.
Abe Schuckman (CEO, Housing Unlimited; Montgomery Housing Alliance executive committee) said the proposed ~$100 million for affordable housing preservation and production is $20 million below recent funding levels and leaves a $69 million gap against a $169 million project pipeline; asked for one-time funding to fill the gap.
Akansha Sing (Silver Spring resident; MoCo Food Justice Coalition) requested expanded trauma-informed food access, protection of the $150,000 food systems education enhancement, and a $3.5 million supplemental budget for the Office of Food Systems Resilience.
Esther Wells (President, Montgomery County Taxpayers League; candidate for County Executive) urged the Council to reject both the property and income tax increases and to eliminate the structural deficit, stating a total reduction of $446 million is required; she criticized the County Executive's $8 billion budget, the use of $182 million in one-time reserves for ongoing expenses, and the projected $257 million structural deficit.
Halley Fernando (Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts) urged full funding for Montgomery Parks at the requested 6.3% increase, noting the County Executive's recommended allocation would create a $3.1 million shortfall.
Robert Pestronk (Friendship Heights resident) asked the Council to fully fund the parks operating budget at the 6.3% increase, the county health department at the proposed amount, and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Maria Brancohn (President, Poolesville Seniors) asked the Council to approve the County Executive's recommended legacy renewal award; she described the nonprofit's 90 free monthly activities and more than 6,000 volunteer hours.
Angie McCarthy (Maryland Conservation Advocate, Nature Forward) supported full funding for DEP and parks but expressed concern about the County Executive's $43 million long-haul contract as a replacement for the Dickerson incinerator, calling it an environmental justice issue if waste is shipped to Virginia.
Frazier Blaylock (ReWorld) described the Dickerson resource recovery facility as a valuable county asset that powers about 28,000 homes and urged careful evaluation before changing the waste system.
Nick Logan (Rockville resident; former NIH employee) asked the county to protect funding for developmental disabilities services and the DD supplement, saying the state cut funding for the organization that supports him.
Elizabeth Toolen (Co-executive Director, Montgomery County Food Council) asked for strong, flexible funding for food assistance providers and sustained investment in coordination; she said flat funding is a cut when costs and demand rise.
Lisa Carrier Baker (Academy Director, Adventure Theater MTC) requested $75,000 to help the theater stay in its studios; she cited a Theater Washington report showing suburban Maryland theaters inject nearly $32 million into the local economy and a 350% return on government funding.
Nauflet Williamson (resident) asked the county to invest in early mental health intervention, whole-person screening, and coordinated community referrals.
Daniela Ochoa (resident) urged closing the incinerator, citing 54 U.S. incinerator closures in the last five years and arguing that food waste could be composted and used to save money.
Donna Cauley (resident) expressed concern about the County Executive's proposal to reallocate resources away from the African American Health Program (AAHP) and urged the Council to protect AAHP's autonomy and community-based approach.
Stephen Sellers Lapham (resident) asked whether funding for the Maryland Israel Development Center has been eliminated or shifted, and urged that county funds not go to foreign governments.
Olu Adebayo (Executive Director, Rainbow Place Shelter) requested $1.5 million in operating funding for a new young adult shelter serving ages 18 to 24.
Sarah Paksima (Poolesville town commissioner; Poolesville Pride) requested funding for a community center and health clinic in Poolesville, reverse flex public transportation, and an amendment to fund the MoCo Pride Family and Pride Center at a minimum of $1 million in FY27.
Russell Brazil (Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors) opposed the proposed property and income tax increases; he cited more than $190 million in reserve funds used for ongoing expenses, a structural deficit over a quarter of a billion dollars, and 305 new positions in the budget.
Lee Blinder (Executive Director, TransMaryland) asked the Council to fund the Montgomery County Pride Family at a minimum of $1 million, citing ongoing threats to trans and LGBTQ+ communities.
Robert Elston (Grant writer, Ethiopian Community Development Council) supported the CDBG project 'Expanding Earning Power for Refugees'; he noted ECDC has resettled more than 2,000 refugees in Maryland, including 594 in Montgomery County.
Michelle Joseph (CEO, Student Global Ambassador Program) asked for an 8% nonprofit COLA, protection of nonprofit federal resiliency grants, and adoption of advisory work group recommendations; she cited rising nonprofit wages and insurance costs.
Deborah Monk (Board chair, Interfaith Works) supported continued funding for the Connections eviction-prevention program, which served 495 households last year.
Philip Alexander Downey (CEO, Montgomery County Pride Family) requested a minimum of $1 million in the FY27 base budget, saying the current proposed funding is about half of what is needed.
James Montgomery (former library board volunteer) opposed the County Executive's proposed eight additional library staff cuts, saying earlier cuts from 403 to 385 staff contributed to Sunday closures and reduced kindergarten readiness outreach.
Sean Heinemann (Ayuda Language Access Program) requested an additional $20,000 for the Community Legal Interpreter Bank, citing 1,500 interpreter-assisted meetings, over 500 translated legal documents, and 135 interpreters working in 35 languages.
Jeffrey Haynes (Chair, Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission) requested funding for one new cultural resource planner, citing a three-to-four-year waiting list for historic designation requests.
Jen Schiller (CEO, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless) supported the County Executive's $1.9 million increase for homeless services but requested an 8% inflationary adjustment, warning that without it five households would lose their homes.
Alan Hobbs (resident) urged construction of a new synthetic turf field at Poolesville High School, citing four fields for 14 athletic teams, a 40-year-old irrigation system, and PFAS-related concerns.
Nancy Bann (CEO, Mary Center) urged preserving the Montgomery CARES investment, citing higher cervical and breast cancer screening rates among Montgomery CARES patients compared to national averages.
Elizabeth Martins (Progress Place resident; Food Justice Coalition) asked the Council to protect the food systems education enhancement and to invest more in farm-to-food-bank programs to support local farmers.
David Pendleton (SMART Transportation Division) opposed closing the Dickerson generating station and long-hauling waste by truck; he said the facility keeps nearly 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 out of the air and generates $24 million in revenue for the county.
Harold Maldonado (GOP candidate for County Council) rejected the County Executive's budget and criticized the fuel energy tax as a revenue machine, citing about $185 million per year since 2022 and about $2.5 billion since 2013.
Sharon Dietschy (Executive Director, NAMI Montgomery County) requested funding for certified peer support specialists at the county correctional facility, eight mobile crisis outreach teams, 18 staff positions at the behavioral health crisis stabilization center, and expansion of 988 crisis hotline awareness.
Amy Javade (President/CEO, A Wider Circle) requested an 8% COLA instead of the proposed 2.5%; she said the organization furnished close to 3,000 homes last year.
Samir Ahmed (student) urged fully funding public schools and opposed austerity measures during an economic downturn.
Dr. Shannon Ingram (Sol Counseling and Consulting) supported continued funding for the Black Physicians and Healthcare Network partnership, saying it improves culturally responsive mental health care.
A representative of True Ground Housing Partners (identified as Mitchell Crispel in the transcript) urged increasing affordable housing funding by $20 million to previous-year levels to unlock 3,500 ready-to-build homes; he cited a need for more than 47,000 homes affordable at 50% AMI.
Stephen Finley (Sugarloaf Citizens Association) supported the County Executive's proposed waste management plan to close the incinerator and transition to landfilling, saying the time to act is now.
Caroline Taylor (Montgomery Countryside Alliance) supported the parks budget request and the transition away from incineration; she said the Beyond Incineration report found the incinerator twice as damaging to the climate as regional landfills.
Carrie Kasicki (Coalition for Smarter Growth; Montgomery Housing Alliance) urged additional affordable housing funding and reliable funding for Ride On bus service and the bus priority program.
Mike Ewall (Executive Director, Energy Justice Network) supported ending incineration, citing dioxin exceedances at the Dickerson plant and the Beyond Incineration report's finding that the incinerator is twice as bad for the climate and 3.2 times more harmful overall than landfilling.

Key Outcomes

The Council held and closed the public hearing on the FY27 Operating Budgets and FY27-32 Public Services Program and Fiscal Policy for Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC Water, and Montgomery County Public Schools.
No votes or final budget decisions were taken during the hearing.
Committee worksessions on the FY27 operating budgets and the FY27-32 Public Services Program and Fiscal Policy will be scheduled through the end of April.
The meeting adjourned at 3:43 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Uh, my name is Nara Lefani Gonzalez. I am the Council President. Thank you so much for coming here today for public hearings. Um, this is agenda item one is a public hearing on the FY27 operating budget and FY27-32 Public Services Program and Fiscal Policy for Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC and Montgomery County Public Schools. Committee work sessions on the FY27 operating budgets and FY27-32 Public Services Program in Fiscal Policy from Montgomery County Government, Montgomery College, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC, and Montgomery County Police Schools will be scheduled through the end of April. As a reminder of our public hearing testimony guidelines, your comments must be limited to issues relevant to the public hearing topic for which you are testifying in our appropriate for a public meeting. You will hear a tune when your time is up, and we appreciate everyone abiding by their loaded time. Please do not boo or comment or clap when somebody is speaking. If you feel excited because somebody said something nice, you can do like this. But do not make noise. So I'm gonna call on the first six speakers. So if you hear your name, please come forward. Linda Bergowski. I missed out that one probably. Shannon Babe Thomas, Abe Shoopman, Akansha Sing, Esther Wells, Jali Fernando. Or Hali Fernandez. We're gonna start with Ms. Linda. If you can please turn on your mic and you all have three minutes. You may begin. Madam President and distinguished members of the County Council. My name is Linda Brogovski, and I'm the co-chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Aging. The Commission is gratified that the County Executive allocated $78.8 million for aging and disability services. However, we'd like to call your attention to two programs we identified as budget priorities that do not appear to be adequately represented in the county executive's budget. First, in-home respite is a program that provides temporary occasional care for frail elderly, adults, and children with disabilities to give relief to family and other primary caregivers. In-home respite is the number one service requested by caregivers, and one that is available to all residents regardless of income. It allows caregivers to stay on the job while older and disabled residents can stay safely in their homes. The FY27 budget request assumes the same number of clients that will be served in 25 in fiscal 25 will be the same in fiscal 26 and 27. No growth in the number of clients. All evidence points to demand for this service growing at an astronomical rate, geometrically increasing as the proportion of older and disabled adults grows. We believe it is better to plan and budget for the actual anticipated need rather than artificially constraining demand through an insufficient budget request. We should not rely on emergency appropriations for which thank you for that. Um but we respectfully request additional funding, upwards of 250,000 to ensure that we have a robust and equitable respite program. Second, Montgomery County is home to more villages than any other place in the country. Villages provide family caregivers and care recipients with personal support that enables to can enables them to continue to live in dignity in their communities. Volunteer-powered villages also save the county and state money by keeping people in their homes and avoiding institutionalization. The FY27 budget includes funds for a village's coordinator, and her role is to support current and emerging villages. But we can do better for the chronically historically underserved areas up county and in East County, where there are no villages. Specifically, we asked for $60,000 in competitive grants to fund organizations that would like to start villages in these areas. By not focusing on villages in these underserved areas, the county is perpetuating inequities and quality of life, access to services, and even outcomes for thousands of residents. We urge the council to fund what the evidence shows works. And what you so much. Can I finish my sentence? Sentence, yes. Thank you. And what delivers a positive return on an investment and for the commission, that is respite care and the villages. Thank you. Thank you. Shannon Babe Thomas.

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