Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 25, 2025

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on September 25, 2025, covering a wide range of topics including proclamations, financial updates, public comments on immigration, and election preparations. The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Jamila Winder and included Commissioners Neil Makhija (noted as "McKesha" or similar) and Thomas DiBello.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 4, 2025 meeting.
• Approved Resolution #1: Authorization to submit a grant application for Celebrate America program funding.
• Approved Resolution #2: Authorization to submit a grant application for residential substance abuse treatment program funding.
• Approved Resolution #3: Agreement to enter into a lease with Ramco LLC for property in Norristown for asset infrastructure.
• Approved appointments to the Valley Forge Tourism Convention Board, Boards of Health, and Citizens Advisory Council of the Office of Children and Youth.
• Approved the personnel list dated September 24, 2025.
• Approved advertisement of bids and RFPs.
• Approved contracts, awards, amendments, and renewals, including a cost-saving transition of five positions into the Office of Aging from external contracts, saving at least $200,000.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Veteran Suicide Prevention Week: The Board acknowledged September 25 – October 2 as Veteran Suicide Prevention Week. Sharday Westcott, Chair of the task force, read a proclamation from Representative Joe Webster noting that approximately 17 veterans die by suicide daily. The county’s Veterans Crisis Response Team, established in 2022, has responded to over 150 calls.
• Lansdale Catholic Crusaders Flag Football Team: Recognized for reaching the semifinals at the NFL Flag National Championships in July. The team includes seniors Katarina, Jenna, Aubrey, and Allie, along with coaches Brandon and Larry.
• Hispanic Heritage Month: The Board issued the first bilingual proclamation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Nellie (Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) presented statistics: Latinos contribute $3.7 trillion to the U.S. economy, open 10 times more small businesses, and 17% of active duty service members are Latino. She honored multiple community organizations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Morgan (Andover): Commented on Resolution G3 (lease with Ramco) and cost savings, urging careful consideration of new leases given a $30 million deficit and prior tax increases. He also asked about new positions appearing at each meeting.
• Catherine Matthews (Franconia Township): A legal immigrant and U.S. citizen, she supported immigration enforcement, stating that illegal immigrants should wait in line like her family did. She argued that ICE agents target only criminals, not legal immigrants.
• Michelle Engrave (Harleysville): Disputed claims in a May 2025 Philadelphia Inquirer article written by Commissioners Winder and Makhija about the cost of mass deportation. She cited ICE actual costs of $17,000 per deportee and estimated a payback period of 3.5 years if all 14,000 illegals in the county were deported.
• Ed Moy (West Norriton): Former state police, he supported the county’s assistance to ICE, citing a murder case involving an illegal alien. He emphasized that ICE’s primary goal is public safety.
• Jill Lomaier (East Norriton): Urged the Board to fund the Norristown Farm Park community farm for 2026, which provides 40,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to food pantries. She noted food insecurity is a serious issue and that the county had previously partnered with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
• Catherine June Matthews (second appearance): Thanked the county for publishing a Parent and Infant Resource Guide in Spanish and commended Commissioner DeBello’s staff for highlighting it.
• Carpina Taylor: Requested collaboration to bring free public trainings from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to Montgomery County.

Discussion Items

• Fall Vaccination Update: Dr. Alvin Fong, Chief Medical Officer, presented the importance of flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, noting community and individual benefits. He reported that all private insurance in Pennsylvania now covers ACIP-recommended vaccines, and county clinics will provide shots. Commissioners pledged to get vaccinated.
• Quarterly Financial Report (CFO Dean Dortone):
  • 2024 audit is in final stages with new auditor Mayer DUSEL; annual report expected early next week.
  • The volunteer emergency service real estate tax rebate program issued $664,000 to nearly 1,100 volunteers (average $600) for tax year 2024.
  • Through July 31, 2025, revenue is 73% collected, expenditures are 55% spent. Real estate tax collections are at 97% of budget.
  • The county’s assessment base declined 0.10% year-to-date, attributed to unfavorable appeals offsetting new construction.
  • Emerging cost pressures include: health care costs rising 8-9% (projected $8-10 million increase in 2026), pension contribution up $2.1 million, and state budget impasse causing reliance on reserves.
  • Cost savings identified: $2.5 million in expenditure reductions (including 15 vacant FTE positions under review); prescription benefit restructuring saving $1.3 million in 2026; in-sourcing the Office of Aging’s ombudsman program saving $300,000/year.
  • Debt service savings of $0.5 million in 2025 due to bond timing.
  • SEPTA local operating match to increase $150,000 to $7.95 million in 2026; future legislation may raise the county share from 15% to 20% by 2029.
  • Energy costs remain flat due to the new sustainable energy partnership.
• Budget Discussion: Commissioner DeBello urged an early public preview of the 2026 budget in October, rather than waiting until November, noting a projected $30-40 million deficit. Commissioners agreed to discuss internally but emphasized the need for due diligence before public release. CFO noted that cost-saving consultant work will continue into the fall.
• Immigration Policy Debate: During public comment and board response, Commissioners Winder and Makhija defended the county’s stance of not assisting ICE unless a judicial warrant is presented. They argued that ICE actions are terrorizing immigrant communities—both legal and undocumented—and that public safety is best served by maintaining trust between local law enforcement and all residents. Commissioner DeBello urged focusing on Congress for legislative change and called for respectful discourse.

Election Board Update

• Preparations for November 2025 Election: Director Frank Dean reported ballot proofing complete, sample ballots online, and mail ballots to be sent starting the next day (expected in mailboxes mid-week). Logic and accuracy testing begins September 29. Poll worker outreach: 390 judges, 1,500 workers, and 88 student workers confirmed. Over 81,000 mail-in ballot applications processed with no backlog.
• Satellite Offices: Will open on the two weekends prior to the October 28 deadline to apply, in Pottstown, Willow Grove, Lansdale, and Lower Merion.
• Polling Location Changes (Six Locations):
  • Lower Frederick #1 & #2: Consolidated to Perkiomen Valley Middle School West due to inadequate space at firehouse and Grange Hall. Notices will be mailed starting September 26.
  • Montgomery #4: Returning to Village of Neshaminy Falls Clubhouse (after fire-related move).
  • Upper Dublin #6-1: Returning to Temple Sinai Synagogue.
  • Cheltenham #5-1: Moving to Myers Elementary School (requested by current host).
  • Horsham #1-2: Moving to Beaumont Baptist Church (middle school can only accommodate two precincts).
  • Commissioner DeBello expressed concern about changing locations during a general election cycle, preferring changes be made prior to the primary. Director Dean explained the process and timeline; officials assured adequate signage and notification. The changes were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
• Proclamations presented for Veteran Suicide Prevention Week and Hispanic Heritage Month.
• The Board directed the CFO to prepare a preliminary 2026 budget overview for public discussion in October.
• The Board committed to funding the 2026 operating budget for the Norristown Farm Park community farm (timeline subject to overall budget approval).
• The Board supported ongoing collaboration with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for public trainings.
• Election Board approved polling location changes and received a briefing on election preparations.

The meeting adjourned after the separate Salary Board and Election Board sessions.