For Immediate Release: Monday, March 6, 2017
Montgomery County Council to consider
special appropriation for additional
security at 3 Jewish facilities
Also on Tuesday, March 7: Tax credits programs for
urban agricultural uses,
long-term residents and senior veterans
ROCKVILLE, Md., March 6, 2017—The Montgomery County Council, during its morning general session on Tuesday, March 7, will introduce a supplemental appropriation of $225,000 to provide additional security at three Jewish facilities in the County that have increased concerns based on anti-Semitic activities that have occurred in recent weeks. County Executive Isiah Leggett recommended the funding following a March 3 event attended by the County Executive, Councilmembers and leaders from many faiths to show strength against those who have perpetrated the hate crimes.
The Council’s regular weekly session will begin at 11 a.m. in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The session will be will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM). The channel can be viewed on Cable Channels 996 (high definition) and 6 (standard definition) on Comcast; Channels 1056 (HD) and 6 (SD) on RCN; and Channel 30 on Verizon.
The sessions also will be available live via streaming through the Council web site at http://tinyurl.com/z9982v8 . The meeting will be rebroadcast starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 10.
In a memo to Council President Roger Berliner today, County Executive Leggett wrote, “I am very concerned about anti-Semitic activities in the County. We have seen increases in hate crimes in our schools and our communities. Just last week, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School of Greater Washington received bomb threats.
“In January, the County Council joined me in reaffirming our commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive community and to our intolerance of hate crimes in any form. Recent events require that we reinforce our reaffirmation with action.”
County Executive Leggett is asking the Council to approve a supplemental appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget and the FY 2017-22 Capital Improvements Program for security improvements at the two facilities that received the recent bomb threats and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington facility.
During its morning session, the Council is scheduled to take action on Bill 31-16 that will allow owners of certain properties in the County ranging in size from one-half acre to less than three acres to be granted an “Urban Agricultural Tax Credit” if the property is used for urban agricultural purposes.
Councilmember Tom Hucker is the lead sponsor of the bill that will provide a credit that will be equal to 80 percent of the property tax otherwise due on the property. Councilmember Marc Elrich is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Eligible properties will have to be located in or within 1,000 feet of a Metro Station Policy Area.
The Council also is expected to take action on Bill 42-16 that would create a property tax credit for certain elderly individuals and military retirees.
The bill would provide a 20 percent County property tax credit for five years. To be eligible, an individual would have to be at least 65 years old and would have lived in the same dwelling for the preceding 40 years. Under the bill, a tax credit also would be available for residents at least 65 years old who are retired members of the United States armed forces.
Councilmember Nancy Floreen is the lead sponsor of the bill. Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Nancy Navarro and Craig Rice are co-sponsors.
The morning session is also scheduled to include the introduction of Bill 4-17 that would expand the eligibility for grants or loans under the County’s small business assistance program.
Councilmember Elrich is the lead sponsor of Bill 4-17. Councilmembers Floreen, Katz and Rice are co-sponsors.
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Release ID: 17-067