Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting – March 5, 2026

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on March 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the county courthouse. The meeting included a Women's History Month recognition, a presentation on the Monco 2040 comprehensive plan implementation, and a closely debated vote on a resolution to restrict county involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement. The meeting also featured multiple public comments both supporting and opposing the resolution. Routine business items were approved unanimously. The meeting was followed by a Salary Board meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 19, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
• Approved Resolution #2: Authorization to submit an application for an Institute of Museum and Library Services Museums for America grant for the Pennypacker historic site, including a matching fund commitment of $173,216 (unanimous).
• Approved Resolution #3: Appointment to the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library board (unanimous).
• Approved the March 5, 2026 personnel list (unanimous).
• Approved advertisements of bids and RFPs (Exhibit A) and contracts awards, amendments, and renewals for Montgomery County (Exhibit B) and the Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Task Force (Exhibit C) (all unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sheriff Sean Kilkenny expressed full support for the resolution. He stated his office has never signed a 287G agreement and is the first sheriff’s office in Pennsylvania to be accredited and implement body cameras. He noted that approximately 100,000 immigrants live in Montgomery County and that trust in law enforcement is essential for public safety.
• Joe Rooney (Abington) opposed the resolution. He argued that ICE agents protect the country and criticized the sheriff’s comments as denigrating federal agents. He cited the murder of Alice Ed Schubert by an individual with a history of illegal entry and re-entry after deportation, stating that cooperation with ICE saves lives.
• Preston Twiler (Limerick Township) supported the resolution. He questioned the efficiency of ICE operations, noting that 20 agents arrested one unarmed person, and argued that mentioning a murder outside the county (Schubert) while opposing references to incidents elsewhere was inconsistent.
• An unnamed speaker supported the resolution and asked what 911 response undocumented residents receive when calling for help during ICE encounters.
• Jay Lee (UDI Center) supported the resolution as a first step but urged stronger internal policies, including codified data privacy protections against collecting immigration status, and physical enforcement of county property signage. He called on the county to be champions for the community.
• Adelina Nippers supported the resolution, praising it for reaffirming rule of law, public safety, and equal treatment. She emphasized that local government works best when people trust it.
• Linda Weaver (Limerick Township) supported the resolution. She described a bus driver traumatized by an ICE raid near her church and called for ICE agents to unmask and obtain judicial warrants. She framed the issue as one of human dignity.

Discussion Items

1. Women's History Month Recognition – Commissioner Jamila Winder opened the meeting by honoring Women’s History Month and invited 33 women who serve as mayors, borough council presidents, and municipal board chairs to the front for a group photo and proclamation. She noted that the board would host a panel that evening called “Her Voice, Her Power.”

2. Drug Court Certification – Commissioner Winder announced that the Montgomery County Drug Court program had been formally certified by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, praising the team led by Judge O’Neill for reducing recidivism and offering treatment alternatives.

3. Monco 2040 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Update – Scott France presented the 2026 annual report on the 2015 Monco 2040 plan, noting it is the last before adoption of Monco 2050 later this year. Key 2025 accomplishments included:

   • Groundbreaking on a 24/7 emergency behavioral health center in King of Prussia.
   • Completion of Ridge Pike Section D, advancement on Sections B, A, and C, and completion of two county bridges.
   • Opening of the Trail Junction Center in Norristown and $40 million in federal funding for the Cross County Trail.
   • Preservation of the 200th farm (a Christmas tree farm) and launch of the Mongo Forever Green grant program.
   • 92% of new housing units built in designated growth areas.
   • Advancement on three transitional housing facilities and groundbreaking for Ardmore House 2 (48 affordable senior units).
   • Completion of the Perkiomen Watershed flood mapping study with state funding.
   • 7.7 million visitors to the county in 2025, with expected increases for America 250 celebrations.

4. Resolution to Safeguard Constitutional Rights, Protect Public Safety, and Ensure Proper Use of County Resources – County Solicitor Ben Fields introduced the resolution, which codifies policies: no entry into a 287G agreement; prohibition on using county property or resources for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant; and authorization to post signage on county buildings and provide similar signs to private businesses.

   Commissioner Thomas DeBello stated he received the resolution only at 4:17 PM on March 4 (the day before the meeting) and a revised version at 9:40 AM on meeting day, leaving insufficient time for review or consultation with private counsel. He opposed the resolution primarily because of the provision providing signs to private businesses, which he argued could lead to doxxing or protests. He also questioned the relevance of referencing actions in other counties. He voted no.

   Commissioner Neil McKeesha supported the resolution, arguing that ICE has killed American citizens, violated court orders, and acted unconstitutionally. He cited the death of Alex Brody in Minneapolis and an ICE operation in Lower Providence Township where children stopped attending school. He stated that the resolution is about preventing the county from participating in such actions, not about immigration policy.

   Commissioner Jamila Winder supported the resolution, stating it was not about politics but about right and wrong. She referenced personal experiences with ICE presence in nearby communities and stressed the importance of treating all people with dignity.

   The resolution passed 2-1 (Commissioners Winder and McKeesha in favor; Commissioner DeBello opposed).

Key Outcomes

• The resolution restricting county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement was adopted by a 2-1 vote. Key provisions: no 287G agreement; no use of county property or resources for immigration enforcement without a signed judicial warrant; and posting of signs on county facilities and distribution of signs to private businesses.
• Salary Board (held immediately after the main meeting): The March 5, 2026 salary board list was approved unanimously. Commissioner McKeesha proposed an amendment to upgrade a Senior Assistant Solicitor position (affirmative litigation) from Grade 24 to Grade 28 to match a similar grade upgrade in the District Attorney's office. The amendment was deferred to the next salary board meeting due to Sunshine Act notice requirements.
• The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
• The meeting concluded with a moment of silence for members of the U.S. military killed in the Middle East conflict.