Montgomery County Council Meeting: Board of Health Update, Consent Calendar, and Public Hearing on Water/Sewer Plan – June 30, 2026

The Montgomery County Council convened on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 9:31 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room, Rockville, Maryland. The meeting included a moment of silence for victims of the Venezuela earthquakes, a biannual Board of Health update, approval of the consent calendar, a public hearing on water and sewer category changes, and a closed session on an economic development matter. Councilmembers Natali Fani-González (President) presided, with Marilyn Balcombe and Laurie-Anne Sayles participating virtually. Councilmember Andrew Friedson was absent.

Consent Calendar

• Inspector General Publications: Acknowledged receipt of two publications: "Promoting Good Governance: Preparing for an Executive Transition" and "Promoting Good Governance: Separation of Duties."
• Montgomery College Special Appropriation: Introduced Resolution for Special Appropriation #26-90, providing $1,100,000 to the FY26 Operating Budget (source: Tuition and Fees). Public hearing/action scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
• Police Station Supplemental Appropriation: Adopted Resolution 20-1170, approving Supplemental Appropriation #26-68 of $994,000 for the 4th District Police Station Move and Space Modifications (source: General Fund Undesignated Reserves), as recommended by the Public Safety Committee.
• Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Advisory Council Appointments: Adopted Resolution 20-1171, confirming 13 appointments (Latonia Rich, Lahen Tesfaye, Natalia Piotrowska, Girma Yeshanew, Frank Vocci, Wendy Anderson, John Glowa, Timothy Harwood, Devin Kuhlmann, Yvonne Murrell, Ava Seyoum, Helene Thompson, Elysse Grossman, Margaret Mattson).
• Vote: Approved without objection (10-0; Friedson absent). Motion by Councilmember Jawando.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing – Water and Sewer Category Change Requests: The Council held a public hearing on a resolution to approve amendments to the Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan. Two individuals testified:
  • Mr. Bynum (property owner, 16313 Old Baltimore Road): Requested an exception to connect to public sewer, citing a high water table and utility easements that reduce one-third of the building area, making a sand mound septic system impractical. He noted the cost of sewer extension is prohibitive without subsidies.
  • Elizabeth Rogers (attorney for Spencerville Seventh Day Adventist Church): Requested a sewer category change from S6 to S1 for the church property at 16325 New Hampshire Avenue. The church was damaged by fire in 2024 and needs reconstruction. The sewer main was extended in front of the property in 2018 (unrelated to the church), and the connection would be environmentally beneficial. The change is consistent with the Cloverly Master Plan.
• Record: The public hearing record was held open until close of business on July 6, 2026. A Transportation and Environment (TE) Committee worksession is scheduled for July 13, 2026.

Discussion Items

• Council Sitting as Board of Health – Biannual Update: The Council received a comprehensive presentation from Dr. Keisha Davis (Chief Health Officer) and her team, covering:
  • Epidemiological Data: Montgomery County now has 1.08 million residents; non-Hispanic white population decreased by 5.8% (2020-2024), Hispanic population increased by 1.7%. The over-65 cohort grew to 18%. Food insecurity rose to 12% in 2023, above pre-pandemic baseline of 8.6%.
  • Community Health Improvement Plan: Presented by Kimberly McBride (Holy Cross Health). Healthy Montgomery’s joint CHIP with hospitals focuses on access to care, prevention, and social determinants of health. A shared dashboard is expected in the fall.
  • Medicaid Updates: HR1 changes require 80 hours/month work or volunteer activity for eligibility, and a 6-month reapplication (effective January 1, 2027). Asylum seekers and refugees lose coverage October 1, 2026 (except pregnant women and children). Montgomery County’s uninsured rate is 6.9% (higher than state average 6.3%), with Hispanic residents at 18.8% uninsured. Montgomery Cares covers 34,000 patients (45% of uninsured), leaving 40,000 uncovered — an expected increase due to HR1. A Medicaid symposium is planned for August 2026.
  • Behavioral Health: 30 fatal overdoses recorded in 2026 (3% decrease from 2025). Fentanyl involved in 17 cases. 72% of overdoses are male. Narcan kiosks dispensed 816 boxes (Q2-Q3); target 1,000 by year-end. A strategic plan with three pillars (prevention/harm reduction, treatment/recovery, public safety) guides overdose prevention.
  • Suicide Mortality: Provisional 2025 data shows Montgomery County rate of 9.9 per 100,000 (below national 13.3, above Maryland 9.6). Total 107 suicides in county (16.8% of state total). Hispanic suicide rate jumped dramatically from suppressed levels to 8.9; 21 Hispanic suicides in 2025, accounting for the entire county increase. Non-Hispanic African American rate at 10.5, above Maryland rate. Youth (10-21) ER visits for suicide attempts increased 56% among Hispanics (2020-2025). The new Local Suicide Fatality Review Teams Act (effective October 2026) will allow multidisciplinary reviews.
  • Intimate Partner Violence: ER visits decreased in 2024-2025 (first time below Maryland rate since 2019), but trauma services served 39 more survivors (total 1,700+). Latino and non-Hispanic Black women have highest ER visit rates.
  • PFAS Contamination: Elevated levels found in a stream near Great Seneca Highway, sourced from former firefighting foam use. No drinking water impact. DEP conducting well testing (<10 wells within a mile). Public health advisory issued (avoid contact with water, fish consumption). Town hall held June 17; virtual one scheduled July 1.
  • Potomac Interceptor Sewage Overflow: 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater released January 19, 2026. Pipe repaired March 14. Sediment advisory remains due to bacterial DNA; testing continues.
  • Germantown ER Closure: Adventist HealthCare Germantown ER closed June 30; new tower at Adventist Shady Grove opens July 1. $2 million in savings redirected to community health: expanded primary care, after-hours nurse triage, urgent care access for Montgomery Cares clients, 911 innovations. 87% of funds go to direct patient care.
  • Mobile Health Clinic: Serves 8-16 medical, 8 dental, 6-7 behavioral health patients per visit; 30% receive multiple services. Demand outpaces capacity. Goal to broaden reach to African American community in FY27.
  • Other Updates: Tick-borne diseases rising (over 3,000 cases in Maryland in 2024, mostly Lyme). Ebola outbreak in Africa tracked (over 90 travelers to Montgomery County, all low risk). Heat advisory for holiday weekend, cooling centers open. State of Black Health survey open through July; focus groups in summer.
• Councilmember Questions and Discussions: Members asked about Medicaid impact on hospitals, faith-based partnerships, suicide prevention strategies for Black and Latino men, intimate partner violence protections, mental health crisis response (MCOT teams), birthright citizenship Supreme Court decision (5-4 rejecting executive order), well water testing for PFAS, and priorities for safety net investments. Dr. Davis noted the county is wrestling with difficult resource allocation decisions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved: Items A-D passed without objection (10-0).
• Public Hearing Held: Record open until July 6, 2026; TE Committee worksession July 13, 2026.
• Closed Session Authorized: Motion to meet in closed session (1:42 p.m. to 2:18 p.m.) to discuss a potential Economic Development Fund grant to retain a business in the county. Vote: 8-0 (Sayles unable to participate virtually but indicated she would vote yes). No action taken in closed session.
• Minutes Approved: Minutes from May 12, 13, 14 (Bi-County), 15, 21, and June 9, 2026 council sessions were approved (9-0; Mink temporarily absent, Friedson absent).