Prince George's County Council Committee of the Whole Budget Worksession and Legislation - May 5, 2026
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Prince George's County Council Committee of the Whole Budget Worksession and Legislation - May 5, 2026
The Prince George's County Council, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, convened on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 1:53 PM and adjourned at 3:26 PM. The meeting included budget worksessions for multiple agencies, the deferral of a resolution on the FY27 Annual Action Plan (CR-022-2026), and discussion and a vote on a contract approvals resolution (CR-036-2026). Council Member Fisher took a point of personal privilege to commemorate the birthday of her late friend, Mr. Joseph Lin Kitchen.
Budget Worksession - Redevelopment Authority (BU 2026-16)
- Staff presented the FY27 CIP overview: the Redevelopment Authority manages seven projects totaling $20.5 million within a $207.6 million portfolio, with 65.8% of funding from the state. Key projects include Chevrolet development (accelerated), county revitalization, and the old Fairmount High School site. Delayed projects include Addison Road/Capitol Heights, Glen Arden, Suitland Manor, and Upper Marlboro.
- Executive Director Perry Paylor noted two groundbreakings and a grant award expected in the next four to six weeks. Aviation Landing is in preliminary plan review (submission expected mid-July). RFP for 6700 Riverdale Road was issued April 24 with responses due July 10. The Addison Road/Capitol Heights project has closed and is being removed from the delayed list, with a groundbreaking anticipated at the end of May. The Chevrolet site preliminary plan hearing is scheduled for May 14.
Budget Worksession - Revenue Authority (BU 2026-27)
- Staff reported no new capital funding for FY27. Highlights include Suitland Scattered Sites (largest initiative), Creative Suitland (demolition anticipated FY27), and the Agricultural Food Security Innovation Center feasibility study (ongoing, ends February 2027).
- Executive Director Judith Danso discussed public safety (parking management division) and economic development (Suitland, Bowie State University project solicitation). Discussion covered a joint MOU with Redevelopment Authority and the commercial vehicle parking lot, with a task force focusing on data-driven site selection (districts 5-7, non-residential zones). Council Member Burroughs requested a meeting about redevelopment in District 8.
Budget Worksession - Office of Information Technology (BU 2026-31)
- Staff presented an $11 million total project cost for FY27, with $3 million allocated for strategic IT initiatives. Director Vennard Wright noted a balanced approach using evaluation criteria to prioritize projects across government.
Budget Worksession - Prince George's Community College (BU 2026-17)
- Staff reported a proposed CIP budget of $2 million (all Geo Bonds): $1.5 million for college improvements (Largo campus) and $500,000 for the new Southern Campus site in Clinton (250 acres owned, curriculum to be determined).
- President Dr. Falecia Williams highlighted the Southern Campus as a 50-year aspiration, requiring seed money for analysis.
Budget Worksession - Memorial Library System (BU 2026-18)
- Staff presented a $6.565 million CIP budget: $1.3 million for Hillcrest Heights branch replacement (construction expected FY2030), remainder for standard renovations.
- CEO Dr. Mark Winston discussed three pipeline projects. Council Member Fisher expressed frustration about the Langley Park Library (urging a land transaction this calendar year) and raised concerns about library worker pay (UFCW collective bargaining mediation). Chair Oriadha and Vice Chair Olson previously met with leadership to clarify funding for pay increases.
Budget Worksession - Department of the Environment (BU 2026-49)
- Staff reported total project costs of $358.2 million for six projects. The FY27 CIP is $2.0 million for the organic facility (scales, bunker systems, wood turnover replacement, fire suppression tanks). No funding for the North County Animal Shelter (cost increased from $7.1M to $18.8M). The solid waste fund has a structural deficit (unrestricted balance projected at -$92.5 billion in FY27). Stormwater and water quality funds also have deficits; no fee increases have been enacted. The landfill gas-to-energy P3 project is in solicitation.
- Director Dr. Samuel Moki noted the fee issue requires political will; surrounding jurisdictions have raised stormwater fees. The county is on track to meet state water quality mandates. Council Member Olson inquired about hot stones at the animal shelter—Director Moki was unaware and will look into it.
Budget Worksession - Department of Public Works & Transportation (BU 2026-50)
- Staff presented a $2.2 billion total CIP (53 projects) with $150.1 million in FY27 expenditures. No new or deleted projects. Highlights include: Green Street Improvements accelerated; Sunday bus service launching June 2026; pavement condition index data collection; thin lift pilot for cul-de-sacs; and a $25.5 million baseline for road rehabilitation.
- Director Mike Johnson emphasized a "fix it first" approach, leveraging external funding (only one-third from county Geo Bonds). Sidewalk assessment data is being cleaned (1,878 miles of sidewalk). Bus shelter partnership with Arts and Humanities Council is near construction. Council Member Dernoga requested the road paving list (Director Johnson will resend).
Budget Worksession - Fire/EMS Department (BU 2026-48)
- Staff reported a $4.67 million FY27 capital expenditure budget across four projects (total project cost ~$105 million). Projects include Hydesville Station 801 and systemwide renovations (structural, mechanical, plumbing, roofs, storage tanks).
- Chief Deputy BJ Harris noted 17 county-owned and 27 volunteer-owned stations. Council Member Olson raised HVAC issues at Riverdale Heights volunteer fire department; Harris will add to the list.
Legislation - CR-036-2026: Contract Approvals
- This resolution, introduced May 5, approves multi-year contracts (goods/services over $500,000; personal services over $100,000) for FY27. Staff noted the list was received at 4:00 PM on May 4, prompting concerns about timing and transparency. Several contracts were listed as "TBD" (to be determined) vendors; administration clarified those represent budget allocations for future solicitations, and approved contracts will return to the council.
- Associate Council Administrator Karen Zavakos outlined the legal process: the April 1 deadline for transmittal was missed; the council has the option to move the resolution with no recommendation to allow a public hearing and maintain the budget adoption schedule (now May 27). Chair Oriadha noted the council has authority to disapprove any or all contracts.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken on any budget worksession items; all budgets were discussed only.
- CR-022-2026 (FY27 Annual Action Plan) was deferred and removed from the agenda.
- The additions package (including CR-036-2026) was accepted by a 6-0 vote (Oriadha, Olson, Blegay, Burroughs, Dernoga, Ivey aye; Adams-Stafford, Fisher, Harrison, Hunter, Adams absent).
- CR-036-2026 was reported out of committee with no recommendation by a 6-0 vote (Oriadha, Olson, Burroughs, Dernoga, Ivey, Adams aye; Adams-Stafford, Blegay, Fisher, Harrison, Hunter absent). This allows a public hearing on May 26 and a final budget adoption vote on May 27.
- The meeting adjourned at 3:26 PM by unanimous vote.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good afternoon. We have returned and now are sitting as the committee of the whole again. Today is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. Madam Clerk, can I please have a roll call? Good afternoon, Chair Oyeha. Here, Mr. Adams. President. Ms. Blagay. Present. Mr. Donoga. President. Miss Fisher. Present. Ms. Ivy. Here. Vice Chair Olson. Here. Seven members. President Roll Call. Thank you. Now I'll lead to yield uh to my colleague, Councilmember Fisher for a point of privilege. Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, colleagues. I I was remiss this morning when we did um the prayer, and I just wanted to lift up his name. A dear friend to many of us, uh Joseph Lynn Kitchen passed away several years ago, and he was uh the president of Young Dems and um in our re our state and was just a big leader for young people and advocacy. And today would have been his birthday. And so I'm just missing my friend, and I just wanted to uplift his name for all that he did for Prince George's and for Maryland. Thank you. Well, thank you for that, and thank you for reminding us and uh the community. So today in our committee of the whole, um, we will have a few different uh budget work sessions. Uh, we'll be starting with the work session and CIP review for uh redevelopment authority, and I will start with um the staff budget report, then we'll have comments from the agency, and then any questions from colleagues. Good afternoon, madam chair and members of the committee. For the record, my name is Sylvia King, senior legislative budget officer. These are the agencies whose proposed 2732 CIP budgets will be presented today. The proposed budget for the CIP consists of various projects totaling 4.1 billion dollars. The proposed six CIP for 27 expenditures by agency is approximately 861.7 million. Please note that the park and planning and board of education CIPs are presented to the council separately. I will turn it over to Miss Miller Y to begin with the Redevelopment Authorities CIP budget report. Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the county council. For the record, my name is Shaylin Miller Y. For the fiscal year 2027 Redevelopment Authority CIP overview, the redevelopment authority supports residential, commercial, and industrial development through revitalization, construction, land assembly, and relocation efforts. And fiscal year 2027, 65.8% of funding comes from the state, with the remaining from land sales, county contributions, and bonds. The authority is managing seven projects totaling 20.5 million within a broader 207.6 million CIP portfolio. Some key projects include the Chevrolet development, which is currently um accelerated, which includes a demolition inside preparation to support future mixed use growth, county re county revitalization, which is an ongoing project, which is an investment in underserved areas in management of county-owned assets. The old Fairmount High School Heights project is on the Blue Line Career Corridor and is featuring mixed-use civic and cultural space.
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