Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee Budget Worksession - April 27, 2026

The Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee of the Prince George's County Council held a budget worksession on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM (called to order at 11:10 AM) in Committee Room 2027. Chair Wanika B. Fisher presided, joined by Councilmember Danielle Hunter. The committee reviewed the FY2027 proposed budgets for the Office of Homeland Security, the Health Department, and the Office of the Sheriff. No votes were taken as quorum was not required for budget worksessions.

Discussion Items

Office of Homeland Security

• Proposed FY2027 budget: $61.3 million, a 30.5% increase from FY2026. 95% from the general fund, 5% from grants. The agency anticipates adding 91 new positions to accommodate new code enforcement responsibilities previously under DPI.
• Director Katina Gomez reported accomplishments: decreasing 911 average answer time to 4 seconds, achieving zero vacancy rate for communications, distributing over 5,000 community preparedness surveys, and converting three limited-term grant positions to merit positions.
• Priorities for FY2027: ensure 50% of county buildings and agencies have security assessments, finalize the pathway program with Prince George's County Public Schools, upgrade public safety radio infrastructure, and address the backlog of 311 service requests related to new code compliance.
• Discussion included: expanding mental health call diversion (Protocol 41) with a standardized national protocol; concerns about retaining a part-time psychologist for 911 call takers (hours expired); and weather preparedness efforts, including climate resiliency hubs in partnership with the Department of Environment.
• Councilmember Hunter asked about grant funding prospects and the impact of federal policy uncertainty. Director Gomez noted grants are uncertain. Regarding the transition of code enforcement, she stated the budget may suffice initially but will require ongoing analysis.

Health Department

• Proposed FY2027 budget: $89.9 million, a decrease of $22.3 million from FY2026. 42% from the general fund, 54% from grants, 4% from opioid abatement and special revenue funds. The decrease is primarily due to the removal of prior appropriations for four federal grants that did not materialize.
• The department requests a supplemental $1.2 million for fringe and operating costs, plus $450,000 for IT staff augmentation and $1.4 million to address a backlog of 1,600 clients in the nurse monitoring program (AIRS). Nurses currently manage 400 clients each, compared to 70 in neighboring counties.
• New positions (8) support the Food is Medicine Program, Health Assurers Program, and Black Maternal Health Program.
• Director Dr. Tonya Oqessami (Dr. O) highlighted accomplishments: first five-year strategic plan, elimination of a $70 million accounts receivable backlog, implementation of a new electronic health record system saving $800,000 per year, and a community health assessment.
• Risks include: federal policy uncertainty, lack of a merit-term position category, a backlog in adult evaluation and review services, IT funding gaps, and needed updates to the permitting and licensing software (Momentum).
• Councilmember Hunter asked about Medicaid eligible residents (estimated 1,600 underserved), food inspection violations (common issues: lack of food service managers, temperature, vermin), and initiatives to reduce racial disparities in maternal health (targeted efforts through Healthy Beginnings and postpartum collaborative).
• Discussion also covered illegal vending, partnership with DPI, and the need for support from Maryland National Park and Planning for cooling centers.

Office of the Sheriff

• Proposed FY2027 budget: $75.1 million, an increase of $7.5 million from FY2026. Includes a supplemental request of $2.6 million for FY2026. 70.5 million general fund, 4.5 million grant funds.
• Sheriff John Carr highlighted creation of a Domestic Violence Bureau to focus on domestic violence and mental health. He reported that a clinical technician for staff mental health is in the hiring process. A new state mandate requires increased courthouse security: two deputies per criminal courtroom, one per civil courtroom, and one per four courtrooms for hallways.
• The sheriff's office handles approximately 100 emergency petitions per month. Concerns raised about underreporting of domestic violence in Latino and immigrant communities due to fear of ICE.
• Councilmember Hunter asked about gaps in domestic violence response: Sheriff Carr cited resource silos, need for wraparound services (housing, financial), and lack of communication with Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding children involved in domestic violence incidents.
• Councilmember Fisher noted the need to correlate domestic violence cases with CPS involvement.
• Assistant Sheriff Wiseman described the Bureau of Professional Accountability, which handles complaints, policy, accreditation, and body cameras. The bureau has several vacancies, including an accreditation manager and a deputy chief.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken. The committee received the presentations and will consider the budgets as part of the full council budget process.
• Follow-ups requested: The Health Department will provide details on state/federal mandates and funding gaps. The Sheriff's Office will explore potential correlation between domestic violence cases and child protective services.
• Next Steps: The committee will continue budget worksessions on subsequent days.