For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
The Council will meet on Wednesday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. to continue reviewing Committee recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Operating Budget and to make decisions on funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Resolution to approve FY22 Transportation Fees, Charges and Fares
Vote expected: The Council will vote on recommended increases to certain hourly, daily and monthly parking fees in the Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton Parking Lot Districts. The resolution also includes a proposal to extend the Ride On Fare holiday from July 1 through September 30, 2021 and in addition, extend the Seniors Ride Free Program to all bus operating hours effective July 1, 2021.
Christopher Conklin, director of the Department of Transportation is expected to attend.
Resolution to establish FY22 Solid Waste Service Charges
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to establish FY22 solid waste service charges. These charges are approved by the Council annually by resolution. The impact on customers would vary depending on the property and the services provided.
Tipping fees charged at the Shady Grove Transfer Station are recommended to remain unchanged from FY21 levels, except for tipping fees for construction and demolition materials.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Adam Ortiz, director, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Patty Bubar, deputy director, DEP; Willie Wainer, Chief, division of recycling and resource management, DEP; and Rich Harris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.
Resolution to establish FY22 Water Quality Protection Charge
Vote Expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to establish the FY22 Water Quality Protection Charges. The Council first created the Water Quality Protection Charge in 2001 and modified the charges in 2013.
The Water Quality Protection Charge is a part of residents’ property tax bills. It funds improvements to the water quality of streams and reduces the impacts of stormwater runoff. The Council is required to set rates each fiscal year by resolution.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Patty Bubar, deputy director, DEP; Rich Harris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.
Resolution to approve WSSC System Development Charge
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to approve the FY22 System Development Charge (SDC), which is paid by new development to cover the impact it has on WSSC Water infrastructure. Each year, both Montgomery and Prince George's Counties must approve an annual SDC and the maximum allowable charge.
WSSC Water proposed several actions as part of the FY22 Operating Budget review process regarding FY22 SDC charges including, keeping SDC rates for FY22 at current FY21 levels and raising the maximum allowable rate by 1.6 percent, as allowed under state law, to give WSSC Water and the counties flexibility to raise rates in the future to cover gaps in growth funding versus growth expenditures.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Executive Regulation 7-21 which establishes the estimated amount of solid waste generated per dwelling unit in the County.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Patty Bubar, deputy director, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Anthony Skinner, chief, Business Section, Recycling and Resource Management, DEP.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Wrap-Up
Review: The Council is expected to wrap-up discussions on funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Based on information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the County's total general ARPA allocation will be $204,083,827, which is an increase of $309,360 from the County's initial estimate. The County also anticipates receiving ARPA funding for targeted areas including Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and Transit Services separate from this allocation.
The Council 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 and Committee meetings 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: 21-223