Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 4, 2025
Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 4, 2025
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners convened on September 4, 2025, to address a state budget shortfall, recognize community achievements, hear presentations on tourism and public health, and vote on several resolutions including the creation of a Human Relations Commission. Commissioners highlighted the $10 million monthly funding gap from the state due to the unresolved budget, discussed food insecurity affecting 85,000 residents, and approved $610,000 in food system grants. The meeting also featured updates on the 2026 semiquincentennial events, West Nile virus surveillance, and an emergency behavioral health center.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of August 14, 2025 meeting minutes.
- Approval of September 4, 2025 personnel list.
- Approval of advertisement of bids, RFPs, and various contracts (including a new prescription benefit manager saving over $1 million, and a vehicle barrier system for public safety).
- Approval of contracts for the Southeast PA Regional Task Force.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Morgan: Commented on agenda terminology and requested bipartisan appointments for the America 250 commission; praised a parent/infant resource guide available in Spanish.
- Jason Goodman: Expressed strong support for establishing a Human Relations Commission, stating it would extend non-discrimination protections to an additional 2.3% of the state's LGBTQ population; thanked advocates for years of work.
- Aaron Kinley (Penn State Extension): Highlighted the Master Gardener program's Seed to Supper initiative providing gardening education to food pantry clients; reported 20 participants in spring classes and plans to expand to Pottstown; noted that during the pandemic volunteers donated over 6,000 pounds of produce to county pantries.
- Ed Moy: Opposed the county policy prohibiting assistance to federal immigration enforcement (ICE), arguing it undermines public safety and citing cases of crimes by undocumented individuals.
- Carmina Taylor: Emphasized that civil rights violations in education should be within the scope of the new Human Relations Commission, noting that 23 school districts in the county face discrimination issues.
- Andy Ladicio and another speaker: Expressed support for the county's protective policies regarding ICE and immigrant communities, urging further action to ensure safety and dignity for all residents.
Presentations and Reports
- Opening Remarks (Commissioners): Commissioner McKeeja urged residents to contact legislators about the state budget shortfall, noting the county faces a $10 million monthly funding gap for critical services. Commissioner Warner announced National Recovery Month events, the record school supply drive (nearly 20,000 items collected supporting over 1,600 families), and upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month and suicide prevention activities.
- Recognition of Aiden Wilkins: An 8-year-old neuroscience student at Sins College was commended for being the youngest student ever enrolled there; he delivered a message: "You can do anything, you just have to put the work into it."
- Mail-in Ballot Court Decision: Commissioner McKeeja noted a federal appeals court ruling that mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates must be counted, affirming the county's commitment to voting rights.
- Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board: Presented plans for the 2026 semiquincentennial, including the PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup (6 matches in Philadelphia), and MLB All-Star Game. Economic impact projected at $250 million additional in 2026, with 9,500 hotel rooms to fill. Marketing strategies include geofencing, international ads, and a "Retreat to Valley Forge" campaign. Park Superintendent Rose Fennel discussed the Houses of Declaration readings and a 50th birthday celebration for Valley Forge National Historical Park.
- West Nile Virus Update (Christina Miller): Reported that over 500 mosquito specimens were collected this year, with about 25% positive for West Nile virus. The county conducts spraying as required by the state DEP using EPA-approved pesticides at low concentrations (1 tablespoon per football field). Notifications are sent via ReadyMontco and to beekeepers and those on the pesticide hypersensitivity registry.
- Emergency Behavioral Health Center Update (Ms. Sanders): Described a new center by Connections PA to provide an alternative to ERs for behavioral health crises, with 24/7 access, a no-turnaway policy, and 15-minute drop-off. Approximately $15 million in funding secured through state health choices reinvestment and project-specific grants.
Discussion Items
- Human Relations Commission (Resolution 4): After research and advocacy, the board considered establishing a county-level commission to handle discrimination complaints in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Discussion included the commission's authority (can hold hearings and seek enforcement through courts), liability, terms (2 years), and composition (5-7 members). Commissioner DeBello raised questions about enforcement and liability, ultimately voting against the resolution.
- America 250 Montgomery County Commission: Established to coordinate 250th anniversary celebrations through 2028. Three-year terms, voluntary.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 1 (Emergency Behavioral Health Center Lease): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2 (Child Support Program Cooperative Agreement): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 3 (Food Systems Infrastructure Grants): Approved unanimously. 13 projects funded totaling $610,000.
- Resolution 4 (Human Relations Commission): Approved 2-1 (Commissioner DeBello opposed). The commission will be independent and nonpartisan; the county will spend 180 days appointing members and establishing bylaws.
- America 250 Montgomery County Commission: Approved unanimously.
- Contracts and Bids: Approved as part of consent calendar.
- Personnel List: Approved.
- Salary Board Meeting (adjourned separately): A brief salary board meeting followed; the salary board presentation was approved with one opposed vote (Commissioner DeBello).
Closing Remarks
The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude for Executive Administrator Becca, who is leaving to start a restaurant in Philadelphia. Commissioners praised her dedication and service.
Meeting Transcript
I have it. Okay. We should grab the line. Yeah. So far. Okay. I know. How are you? Yeah. I think that's a good way. Oh, that's right. Yes. Oh, yeah. Yeah. See what actually happens. Good morning, everyone. Order the September fourth, twenty twenty-five meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, seeing all three commissioners present. Ask our director of public health to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Christina Miller. Yes. I pledge America. Hopefully people will be able to get to the game today, moving now to the policy comments. But uh we are see still seeing a significant gap uh in funding for mass transit in the state. The state doesn't have a budget, and now that's going to be starting acting human services. So our county relies on ten million dollars in state funding every month. Uh, that goes to programs that support the elderly population, drug and alcohol prevention, recovery, education, uh, children and families in our foster care system, uh, individuals with developmental disabilities, emergency shelters, many critical services, uh, rely on state funding, so uh we really want to urge all of our legislators in Harrisburg and all of our residents and citizens to reach out to them uh to encourage them to come to a resolution because uh you know the county has done quite a bit uh to you know right now we're still working on preparing and planning, but fundamentally this would lead to some very hard decisions. Uh we've had strong financial management in the county, a triple A bond meeting, uh bond rating, uh a healthy fund balance. We've had strong financial management in the county, a triple A bond meeting, uh bond rating, uh a healthy fund balance, uh, but uh that amount of funding is not something that we can just compensate with internally. So uh we really want to encourage all of you to reach out to your legislators and let them know about uh you know the consequences that would happen if if the budget is not passed promptly. And as an example of one of the things we've had to do in the face of state and federal cuts is uh addressing hunger. So we saw Snap cuts in the recent federal budget. There are 85,000 Monco residents that experience food insecurity. 67,000 residents in Montgomery County rely on SNAP, and uh it's honestly devastating to see what could happen to many families. Uh I was at uh a food pantry earlier uh uh in the summer, and uh they're preparing for an uptake in a lot of use, and they've already been seeing that given the inflation. You all know grocery prices have gone up uh at least 25% in the last few years, and it's it's hard for working families. So tomorrow uh I'm thankful that uh fellow commissioners and I will be uh presenting uh uh check for $500,000 to the local uh food pantries through the Monco Anti Food Anti-Hunger Network, MON. So we'll be at the community cupboard in Upper Marion uh making that investment and we are voting today on six hundred and ten thousand dollars in uh support for local organizations that support our community's food infrastructure. So you'll hear more about that. So we're already having to make up for some of the losses we're seeing at the federal and state level, uh, but we have to warn you that we can't do that uh indefinitely. So we really need state budget that supports all of our communities here in Montgomery County. So on aligning, uh I want to recognize a very special guest we have with us this morning. So I read in the paper this last week uh that we have a lawyer's fruit student, eight-year-old Aidan Wilkins, uh, who has taken his first class uh in neuroscience at North Science College, the youngest that we're aware of in history. So welcome, Aiden. He's here uh with his moms and with councilwoman uh McKinney from uh from Collegeville, uh, who works at our Sinus, represents our Sinus and brought him uh and he's the youngest student ever enrolled at the Sinus College. Most of the time when you apply in your aid, they really don't give you the full consideration. But um Aiden knew his councilwoman and she said, why not? Uh he he's ready to learn and uh also I'm glad you you know uh squeezed this in right before you turn nine in three days because you set the record at eight. Um so that was very smart, but uh he's taking a neuroscience class as part of a dual enrollment program through his high school and online charter school. And you know, I'm impressed by your passion. I fun fact I studied neuroscience that I was not your age, but double your age at 16. I started then, and then I told him about some of the activities I did before the senior engagement.
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