For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 10, 2019
From the Office of Council President Nancy Navarro
Council committee meetings on savings plan start Jan. 15
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 10, 2019—Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro said that the Council will act conscientiously and quickly to address the $46.5 million savings plan proposal it received on Jan. 7 from County Executive Marc Elrich. The savings plan would reduce spending in the current fiscal year (FY) 2019 operating budget, to better prepare the County for FY2020. Without the savings plan, it is anticipated that the County could face a budget gap exceeding $105 million in FY2020.
“The Council has received the savings plan from County Executive Elrich, and the Council’s committee work will begin next week,” said Council President Navarro. “We need to take a hard look at expenses now, to prepare for next year’s budget, and to make sure that we are on track to reach our fiscal plan targets, which help the County maintain its triple-A bond rating. My main concerns continue to be that we maintain our essential services such as public safety, education and programs that aid our most vulnerable residents, while making strategic investments in economic development.”
Council committee meetings to review the savings plan recommendations will start on Jan. 15 with the Education and Culture Committee, continue with the Health and Human Services Committee and Public Safety Committee meetings on Jan. 17 and the Transportation and Environment Committee meeting on Jan. 22., and conclude with the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee and Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee meetings on Jan. 24. This meeting schedule could enable a final Council vote by Jan. 29.
As the Council reviews the savings plan, it could recommend restoring some of the proposed reductions or make new recommendations not currently contained in the plan.
The proposed savings plan targets $16.8 million in reductions for County government operations; $1.8 million for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; $25 million for Montgomery County Public Schools; and $2.8 million for Montgomery College.
For more information about upcoming Council and committee meetings visit:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/
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