For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 21, 2021
The Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Thursday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. and the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m.
The members of the Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee include Chair and Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice.
The members of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
Office of Human Rights FY22 Operating Budget
Review: The HHS Committee will review the County Executive’s $1.77 million FY22 Recommended Operating Budget for the Office of Human Rights.
The Executive’s recommendation is an increase of nearly 28 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $1.38 million, with personnel costs accounting for over 82 percent of the budget.
The mission of the Office of Human Rights is to enforce the County's worker protection laws and anti-discrimination laws in housing, commercial real estate, employment, public accommodations and intimidation. The office also promotes increased understanding and tolerance among diverse groups.
To advance the County's Racial Equity and Social Justice Law, which was spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro and supported by the full Council, key initiatives for FY22 include the creation of two investigator positions within the office and funding for education and outreach campaigns. These initiatives align with Council Bill 35-20 on fair criminal record screening standards, which was initiated by Councilmember Jawando and supported by the full Council, and Bill 49-20, the Housing Justice Act, which was initiated by Councilmembers Glass and Katz and supported by the full Council.
Those expected to attend include James Stowe, director, Office of Human Rights and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Department of Health and Human Services FY22 Operating Budget
Review: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been at the center of COVID response, and the County Executive’s $422 million FY22 Recommended Budget includes several increases that continue changes that have taken place, such as the consolidated service hubs, and the change to year-round emergency shelter with the ability to provide physical distance.
During FY21 these and many other efforts had to be undertaken through emergency procurements and increased spending above the FY21 approved level. The HHS Committee will review these changes including, considering 1.5 percent inflationary adjustments for payments to eligible non-profit service providers, eligible developmental disabilities organizations and adult medical daycare organizations.
The Committee will also review recommendations for a new position for Adult Protective Services and proposals made by the County Executive to reduce the escorted transportation budget by $43,286, the residential rehabilitation supplement by $320,174. Proposed funding cuts for the African American Health Program ($54,915) and the Asian American Health Initiative ($32,511), which were previously rejected by the Council, will also be reviewed.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Dr. Odile Brunetto, chief, Aging and Disability Services, DHHS, and DHHS and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Department of Health and Human Services FY22 Operating Budget Consent Items
Review: The HHS Committee will also review budgetary items for DHHS through the Committee consent review process. The items under review include compensation and central adjustments, grant funds, shifts from the Community Grants NDA to the department’s base budget and other individual items.
Conference and Visitors Bureau NDA
Review: The PHED Committee will review the FY22 Operating Budget Non-Departmental Account (NDA) for the Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The CVB promotes Montgomery County as a destination for meetings, conferences, tourism and events. The CVB also acts as a resource center for hospitality businesses in the County and partners with state and local governments.
The $1.63 million FY22 Recommended Budget for CVB is equal to the FY21 Approved Budget. However, CVB receives a dedicated seven percent of the Room Rental and Transient Tax, or Hotel/Motel Tax, to fund its operations and the Executive proposes using American Rescue Plan Act funding to backfill decreases in hotel tax revenue throughout 2021.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Kelly Groff, president and CEO, Visit Montgomery, Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation NDA
Review: The FY22 Operating Budget Non-Departmental Account (NDA) for the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is also up for review. The County Executives' $6 million FY22 Recommended Budget is a 20 percent increase from the FY21 Approved Budget.
The Executive’s recommended budget adds $1 million in funding for five new initiatives, including entrepreneurship development, an entrepreneurs in residence fund, the County’s White Flint Project, the Montgomery Talent Network (MTN) and an inclusive economy program. The County Executive recommends funding these initiatives with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Ben Wu, CEO, MCEDC, Bill Tompkins, executive vice president and COO, MCEDC, Stacey Hardy, vice president of operations, MCEDC, Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive, and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Review: The PHED Committee will review the County Executive’s $993,865 FY22 Operating Budget for the Office of Agriculture (OAG). The County Executive’ recommendation increases OAG’s operating budget by $2,012 or 0.2 percent. Most of the recommended changes for this budget are related to compensation adjustments.
Those expected to attend and provide information include: Jeremy Criss, director Agricultural Services and OAG and Office of Management and Budget Staff.
KID Museum NDA and KID Museum CIP Project
Review: The KID Museum is a non-profit organization serving families and students to provide an experiential STEM and cultural learning center for children and families in the region. The County Executive’s FY22 recommendation includes $1.2 million in funds for the KID Museum and switches the current funding source in the CIP from general obligation (G.O.) bonds to Recordation Tax Premium.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Cara Lesser, founder and CEO, KID Museum and OMB staff.
Review: The Economic Development Fund (EDF) assists private employers expanding or relocating to Montgomery County to incentivize economic development projects. The County Executive’s $4.49 million FY22 Operating Budget for the EDF is a 13 percent decrease from the FY21 Approved Budget. The EDF is a continuous, non-lapsing fund. As in previous years, the Council will approve an appropriation for any unspent funds from FY21 to roll over for use in FY22.
Those expected to attend include Office of the County Executive, Department of Finance and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Review: The County owns or leases four facilities, including three incubators and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, and is responsible for supporting certain operating expenses for each. The County Executive’s $3.28 million FY22 Operating Budget for the Incubator Programs Non-Departmental Account (NDA) is an 11.1 percent increase over the FY21 Approved Budget.
The Executive’s recommendation includes shifting the incubator’s program and portfolio management to the County in FY22 and supporting the $320,120 in additional funds required with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive and Office of the County Executive and Office of Management and Budget staff.
White Oak Science Gateway Redevelopment Project
Review: The White Oak Redevelopment Program provides for the planning and development coordination activities by the County necessary to implement redevelopment of the 110-acre County-owned parcel on Industrial Parkway.
The recommended total expenditure from FY21 to FY26 includes $40.8 million in General Obligation (G.O.) bonds and includes a reduction of $1 million due to savings on actual costs to clean up the site.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Pofen Salem, senior fiscal policy analyst, Office Management and Budget.
Operating Budget Consent Items
The PHED committee will review the following FY22 Budget items for the consent calendar portion of the meeting:
Department of Permitting Services (DPS): DPS reviews and processes plans and permits and inspects structures, rights-of-way and development. The County Executive’s recommended budget of $38.9 million represents a 4.4 percent decrease from the FY21 Approved Budget due to enterprise system costs incurred in FY21, personnel adjustments and chargebacks on the 255 Rockville Pike Lease.
Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings (OZAH): OZAH conducts due process hearings in land use and other administrative matters. The County Executive’s $681,382 recommended FY22 Budget is a 3.5 percent increase from the FY21 Approved Budget due to compensations, benefits and retirement adjustments.
Board of Appeals: The Board of Appeals implements the flexibility provided in the Zoning Ordinance and assists County residents in understanding and participating in the variance, administrative appeal, special exception modification and conditional use appeal processes. The County Executive’s $582,250 recommended FY22 budget is a 4.2 percent increase from the FY21 Approved Budget due to compensation, benefits and retirement adjustments.
Historical Society: The Historical Activities NDA funds the Montgomery County Historical Society (Montgomery History), which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and share the histories of all County residents and communities. The FY22 budget recommendation of $150,000 would maintain the County’s artifacts, documents, photographs and historic resources.
Urban Districts: Urban Districts support and enhance the County's unincorporated downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton) as prosperous, livable urban centers. The County Executive’s $9.9 million recommended FY22 Budget is a 3.2 percent increase from the FY21 Approved Budget. The most significant change is a recommended General Fund transfer to the Bethesda Parking Lot District.
Conference Center NDA: The County Executive’s $590,420 recommended FY22 Budget for the Conference Center is a 10.3 percent increase from the FY21 Approved Budget. The Conference Center NDA includes funding for a full-time management position, repairs and improvements and a designated reserve.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-171