Press Releases - County Council

Council President Natali Fani-González’s priorities for the coming year include making Montgomery County a safe and welcoming community for all, making strategic investments in early care and education, supporting critical infrastructure needs for police officers and schools, and bolstering economic growth. 

“I’m committed to providing economic opportunity for all while treating people with dignity and giving everyone a fair chance—values that make Montgomery County special,” stated Council President Natali Fani-González. "We owe it to our more than one million residents to ensure their livelihoods, protect their security and plan for the future.” 

In her remarks, Council President Fani-González said, “We are dealing with a growing number of unprecedented challenges, and together, we will get through them as we build trust in our community and protect our County.” 

Council President Fani-González has served on the Council since 2022. Fani-González represents District 6, which includes Forest Glen, Wheaton, Glenmont, Kemp Mill, Aspen Hill, Layhill, Kensington, North Bethesda, and Rockville.  

In her role as the chair of the Economic Development Committee, Council President Fani-González has spearheaded efforts to strengthen local businesses and create a more vibrant, equitable economy. She streamlined restaurant permitting, expanded the MOVE program supporting business relocation and growth, and led the creation of the County’s Sports Tourism Taskforce. She championed Labor Peace Agreements requirements for county-backed economic projects and advanced zoning changes supporting rural tourism, innovative industries like water cremation, and energy-efficiency outreach for homeowners and contractors.  

As a member of the PHP Committee, she has been a driving force behind equitable housing policy, from being the lead of the comprised Rent Stabilization law, protecting thousands of vulnerable members from displacement, to authorizing zoning reforms to expand workforce housing and the advance of office-to housing conversion initiatives.  

Council President Fani-González created a property tax credit for severally disabled veterans as well as for police officers and crisis-response professionals. She played a key role in launching the county’s game-changing Drone as First Responder program and is championing Wheaton’s cultural identity with local community members through the new nonprofit Creative Wheaton.  

Prior to her Council service, Fani-González served on the Montgomery County Planning Board, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, for seven years, where she advanced planning and land use measures with a focus on equity, environmental justice, and community engagement.  

Washingtonian Magazine honored Council President Fani-González as one of the “40 Under 40” Changemakers in the Washington DC Region and then named her as a “Woman to Watch.” She received the 2025 "Distinguished Advocate for Healthful Living Award" from the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Maryland (SHAPE MD), a statewide organization that recognizes legislators and public figures who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing healthful living across schools and communities. Additionally, Fani-González received the 2024 "WABA Public Leadership Award" for her dedication to bringing attention to the need for equitable and inclusive multi-modal transportation, including engaging top leaders at the Maryland Department of Transportation. She is also the recipient of the 2024 "The Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award,” which recognizes the work of public officials building a stronger nonprofit sector and a more vibrant community. 

Council Vice President Balcombe represents District 2, which covers the northwestern part of the County, including Germantown and Poolesville. Balcombe serves on the Council’s Economic Development Committee and Transportation and Environment Committee. She is also the lead for Workforce Development.  

Prior to being elected to the Council, Balcombe served as the President/CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. She has worked with thousands of businesses, large and small, to help create a vibrant local economy. As a member of the Economic Development Committee and throughout her work in her District, Councilmember Balcombe has continued to make job growth and economic prosperity a cornerstone of her service. 

“I look forward to working closely with Council President Fani-González as we lead the County through a difficult time in our history,” said Council Vice President Balcombe. “It has been an honor to serve on the Council for the past three years, particularly to represent my community in District 2. One of my priorities continues to be making sure that all voices are heard as part of the legislative process.” 

Thank you, Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, my friend and colleague, for nominating me and to all my Council colleagues for your faith in me to lead this body in unprecedented times.  

Let me begin by sharing my sincere appreciation to former Council President Kate Stewart for her leadership this year. In the face of so many cruel and very often illegal decisions made by the Trump administration, she worked with us on this Council to advance Montgomery County’s shared community values. I also would like to thank Councilmember Will Jawando who as Vice President supported the Council in complex challenges throughout this year. Thank you both for all your work.  

I thank my colleagues for entrusting me in this role to lead our County forward.  

As we prepared for this next year, one thing needs to be crystal clear: Our values of Fairness only endure when we have one system of justice for everyone. If one group can be denied due process, none of us will be safe to enjoy the rights that this country – the one that I now as an immigrant called home – says it stands for. With this in mind as my guiding star, I will lead this Council with determination and compassion, particularly focused on the most vulnerable in Montgomery County.

I’m committed to providing economic opportunity for all, while treating people with dignity and giving everyone a fair chance – values that make Montgomery County special. We owe it to our more than one million residents to ensure their livelihoods, protect their security and plan for the future. 

There is no room for political distractions. We must remain united in service and support for the common good of all who choose to call our community home.  

I’m also so excited to lead alongside Vice President Marilyn Balcombe, one of my partners on the Economic Development Committee. Vice President Balcombe is a community builder whose prior experience as president and CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce has served this body well. I look forward to partnering with her throughout the upcoming year.  

Where We Are 

We have all felt the impacts of the instability caused by the federal administration this past year. In fact, Montgomery County has been among the hardest hit by the actions of the Trump administration. 

Our high concentration of federal workers and contractors has left thousands of residents without work at no fault of their own, spurring unprecedented levels of food and housing insecurity, and increased strain on local providers. 

The Trump administration’s assault on due process and escalations in unjust ICE enforcement have sparked heightened fear among our Latino and immigrant communities. We live in a time where family separations without due process are happening all across the country including in our state of Maryland. The increased violence as a tactic from federal immigration agents goes against our values and against  what we stand for as Americans. 

In fact, good law enforcement relies on de-escalation, trust and public cooperation. And if anyone has questions about how to do that, all you need to do is ask a Montgomery County police officer. We’ve made significant strides in addressing public safety concerns thanks to the Montgomery County Police Department.

Our police have been at the forefront of new crime prevention and community policing efforts, resulting in lower crime levels across the County. That’s why, I’m so proud to live in a County with outstanding police officers who deserve our gratitude, not only with words, but also with funds. As Council President, and in conjunction with colleagues, particularly the Chair of the Public Safety Committee Sidney Katz and Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, we are asking to move forward the redevelopment of the oldest and most disgraceful police station in the County, known as the District 4 Police Station. In the upcoming capital budget, we are requesting the County Executive to expedite the redevelopment of the joint-police stations for District 4 and Park Police in Glenmont. No more delays.   

And we are bracing for fiscal uncertainty as federal and state funding streams remain up in the air. Despite these headwinds, Montgomery County remains strong and resilient. 

Our fiscal prudence has prepared us to support and uplift families and communities in this difficult time. 

Together, we maintained our longstanding Triple A bond rating. 

Together, we supported the opening of the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center, the first career center in the nation dedicated to supporting displaced federal workers. 

Together, we recently approved $7.75 million to support federal workers, local food banks, nonprofits and small businesses impacted by the federal shutdown. 

And of course, I have to address Montgomery County Public Schools. Let’s just say, with record funding and a renewed focus on transparency and improving processes, I am committed to keep working with Board of Education members and the superintendent toward excellence in our school system. 

Collaboration will be critical in the upcoming year. We will continue the great work of this Council to address the following priorities. 

A Responsible Budget 

Central to all our work is developing a responsible capital and operating budget that sets us up for long-term success. With careful planning and robust public input, we can ensure public safety, education and economic growth remain top priorities.  

Public Safety 

We will continue our commitment to making Montgomery County a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. That means being proactive in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, including our immigrant communities who face rising threats from the Trump administration. To this end, I will be introducing legislation next week. This is the time to step up and embrace our values without fear, without hesitation, and with compassion and love toward one another, always.

Early Care and Education 

Supporting our youth starts with strategic investments in the early years. We will build on our work to expand high-quality and affordable early care and support providers.  Early childhood education is part of Economic Development as we are building the foundation of the next generation of workers as well as supporting childhood educators. I look forward to uplifting this issue in the upcoming months with all of my colleagues.  

Economic Development 

As chair of the Economic Development Committee, I understand our local and regional economic landscape – both our strengths and our weaknesses. All of our priorities are connected to a thriving private sector. We must be laser focused on expanding our tax base by supporting job creation within the private sector and pushing forward projects that strengthen our position as a global leader in life sciences. 

At the same time, we will address the needs of our longstanding small, local and immigrant-owned businesses who employ our neighbors and make up the fabric of our communities. Our local businesses are our greatest asset, and we cannot turn our backs on them. 

I look forward to working together with all of you to move these priorities forward on behalf of our amazing residents that I’m honored to serve. Let’s get to work.