For Immediate Release: Monday, May 4, 2020
Also on May 5, Council will review collective bargaining agreements
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 5 at 9:30 a.m. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council agendas 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 and Fios 30.
Council Agenda Items
Resolutions to Indicate the Council's Intent to Approve or Reject Provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Council will discuss the collective bargaining agreements for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Municipal County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO). Under the County Employees Labor Relations Law, the Council must review the terms or conditions of each final collective bargaining agreement requiring an appropriation of funds or enactment, repeal or modification of a County law or regulation. On Thursday, the Council extended time for action to indicate by resolution its intention to appropriate funds for or otherwise implement the agreements or its intention not to do so and to state its reasons for any intent to reject any part of an agreement. The Council is not bound by the agreement on those matters over which the Council has final approval. The Council may address contract items individually rather than on an all-or-nothing basis.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolutions to Indicate the Council's Intent to Approve or Reject Provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association
The Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is the representative for the County's Local Fire and Rescue Departments. The Montgomery County Code requires the Executive to submit to the Council any element of a collective bargaining agreement that requires an appropriation of funds, may have a future fiscal impact, is inconsistent with any County law or regulation, or requires the enactment or adoption of any County law or regulation. The Council must notify the parties within 60 days if it disapproves an agreement in whole or in part. The Council may by resolution extend the time for action.
On March 31, 2020, the Executive submitted a negotiated agreement between the Executive and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, for Council review and action. The Council must review and act on each provision that requires an appropriation of funds for the first year of the agreement in FY21.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Compensation and Benefits - All Agencies and FY20 Operating Budget Savings Plan - Retiree Health Benefits Trust
The Council is scheduled to review compensation and benefits for all agencies in the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Recommended Operating Budget to include salary and wages, retirement and group insurance. The Council also is scheduled review an FY20 savings plan submitted by the County Executive on the Retiree Health Benefits Trust. Council staff will cover five key issue areas:
- FY21 budget and compensation context;
- overview and analysis of FY21 agency requests for pay adjustments, retirement, and group insurance;
- Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) pre-funding and the Executive’s FY20 recommended OPEB Savings Plan;
- an analysis of compensation cost sustainability; and
- compensation related Non-Departmental Accounts.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget
The Council’s focus as it reviews the County’s Fiscal Year 2021 Recommended Operating Budget is on producing a continuity of services budget for County government. The Council’s upcoming budget work is being completed with the knowledge that the Council may need to return to FY21 budget issues early in the fiscal year to make additional reductions based on anticipated revenue decreases.
The Council will review the FY21 Operating Budget for the following:
- Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD)
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for MCPD is $288.1 million, which is a decrease of $7.2 million or 2.44 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $281.9 million, which is a decrease of $13.2 million or 4.5 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of Animal Services
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Office of Animal Services is $8 million, which is an increase of $97,996 or 1.2 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $7.75 million, which is a decrease of $176,083 or 2.2 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of the County Executive
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Office of the County Executive is $5.9 million. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $5.86 million, which is a decrease of $43,624 or .7 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of Human Resources (OHR)
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for OHR’s General Fund is $8.6 million, which is a decrease of $265,000 or 3 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $7.85 million, which is a decrease of $1 million or 11.9 percent from last year’s budget. The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for OHR’s Employee Health Self-Insurance Fund is $295 million, which is an increase of $22.1 million or 8.1 percent. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of Labor Relations
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Office of Labor Relations is $1.6 million, which is an increase of $103,083 or 6.8 percent. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $1.5 million. The mission of the Office of Labor Relations is to foster high-performing labor-management relationships through collaborative and interest-based methods that demonstrate the possibilities of effective labor-management partnership and confirm the value of the County’s workforce. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Non-departmental Account (NDA): Conference Center
The County, as an owner, is responsible for covering operating losses for the Conference Center per the management agreement. The Conference Center will operate with financial losses for a foreseeable future due to the health crisis and is likely to reopen late in the staging given the gathering sizes it accommodates (e.g., greater than 100 people). The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Conference Center is $539,711, which is a decrease of $121,820 or 18.4 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $535,58, which is a decrease of $125, 950 or 19 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Conference and Visitor’s Bureau
The Conference and Visitors Bureau promotes the County as a destination for meetings, conferences, student group travel, group tours, leisure travel and amateur sports events. The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Conference and Visitor’s Bureau is $1.7 million, which is an increase of $133,574 or 8.4 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $1.63 million, which is an increase of $48,574 or 3.1 percent over last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Incubator Programs—Economic Development Partnerships
This NDA provides for facility lease payments, program and portfolio management services for the County's Business Innovation Network facilities, among others. The County Executive’s Recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Incubator Programs – Economic Development Partnerships NDA is $3.2 million, which is an increase of $182,573 or 6 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $2.95 million, which is a decrease of $69,014 or 2.2 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of Agriculture
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Office of Agriculture is $1 million. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $992,394, which is a decrease of $13,978 or 1.4 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Economic Development Fund
The mission of the Economic Development Fund (EDF) is to assist private employers who are located, plan to locate, or substantially expand operations in the County. Each program under the EDF is administered by the Department of Finance. The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for EDF is $5.48 million, which is an increase of $42,097 or 0.8 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $5.16 million, which is a decrease of $279,719 or 5.1 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
MCEDC is the County’s lead economic development organization and is responsible for implementing the County’s economic development strategic plan and related programs. The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for MCEDC is $5 million. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Historical Society
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Historical Society NDA is $165,000, which is an increase of $15,000 or 10 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $150,000, which is the same level as last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Workforce Development (WorkSource)
WorkSource Montgomery is the County’s designated workforce development corporation. Its mission is to promote job growth and talent attraction. The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for WorkSource Montgomery is $1.4 million, which is a decrease of $245,000 or 14.5 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $1.26 million, which is a decrease of $425,000 or 25.1 percent from last years budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Office of Consumer Protection
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Office of Consumer Protection is $2.2 million, which is a decrease of $144,075 or 6.1 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $2.19 million, which is a decrease of $178,791 or 7.5 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Public Election Fund
The Public Election Fund provides public campaign financing for qualified candidates for County Executive or County Council. The law is intended to encourage more candidates who do not have access to large contributions from interest groups or individuals to run for County elective offices The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Public Election Fund is $1.5 million. Council staff is recommending no funding for the fund for FY21. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Board of Elections
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Board of Elections is $8.3 million, which is an increase of $140,825 or 1.7 percent over last year’s budget. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services budget of $8.29 million, which is an increase of $59,907 or .7 percent over last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - Non-departmental Account (NDA): Leases, Working Families Income Supplement, State Property Tax Services, Grants to Municipalities, Future Grants, Takoma Park Police Rebate, Municipal Tax Duplication
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the following NDAs is as follow:
- Leases: $22.7 million, which is an increase of $1.5 million or 7.4 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation.
- Working Family Income Supplement: $20.1 million, which is the same level as last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation.
- State Property Tax Services: $3.5 million, which is the same level as last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive.
- Grants to Municipalities in Lieu of Shares: $28,020, which is the same level as last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation.
- Future Federal/State/Other Grants: $20 million, which is the same level as last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation.
- Takoma Park Police Payment: $1.2 million, which is an increase of $100,807 or 8.9 percent from last year’s budget. Council staff concurs with the County Executive’s recommendation.
- Municipal Tax Duplication: $9.5 million, which is an increase of $1.2 million or 14.9 percent. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services operating budget of $8.9 million, which is a decrease of $1.2 million or 13.1 percent from the County Executive’s recommendation.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
- NDA: Productivity Improvements
The budget funds the NDA at negative $10 million and provides the following description: “This NDA recognizes cost efficiencies identified by Montgomery County Government staff through the evaluation of service delivery models, supervisory/management and workforce structures, relevant tools, equipment, and technologies, operating budgets, and contracts with outside vendors.” Council staff notes that the County Attorney has previously concluded that the Council is not allowed to approve a negative appropriation and therefore does not recommend approval. The Council staff report can be viewed here. - NDA: Legislative Branch Communications Outreach
The County Executive’s recommended FY21 Operating Budget for Legislative Branch Communications Outreach NDA is $1.07 million, which is an increase of $182,173 or 20.5 percent. Council staff is recommending a continuity of services operating budget of $1.06 million, which is an increase of $173,132 or 19.5 percent from last year’s budget. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Status Report
The Council is scheduled to receive a status report update on the FY21-26 CIP. The Council staff report will be available here by May 5.
Public Hearings
The Council will hold the following public hearings virtually at 1:30 p.m.:
Expedited Bill 19-20, Administration - County Executive - Office of Labor Relations - Established
The Council will hold a public hearing on Expedited Bill 19-20, which would create an Office of Labor Relations in the Executive Branch and transfer certain duties and positions from the Office of Human Resources to the Office of Labor Relations. Although the Office would be in the Office of the County Executive, it would be considered separate from the Office of the County Executive for purposes of budgeting and any reduction-in-force. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive. The Council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the bill on May 19. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#MoCoLaborRelations is being used for this bill on social media.
Bill 20-20, Administration - Office of the County Executive - Business Advancement Team - Established
The Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 20-20, which would rename the existing Business Solutions Group as the Business Advancement Team and assign additional duties to the Business Advancement Team from the Department of Finance and the Community Engagement Cluster. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#MoCoBusinessAdvancement is being used for this bill on social media.
Bill 21-20, Office of Animal Services - Established
The Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 21-20, which would remove the Division of Animal Service from the Police Department and transfer those duties to a new non-principal office in the Executive Branch called the Office of Animal Services and make other technical changes. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#MoCoAnimalServices is being used for this bill on social media.
Expedited Bill 22-20, Position Creation and Position Alteration - Director of Strategic Partnerships and Director of Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission
The Council will hold a public hearing on Expedited Bill 22-20, which would create the non-merit appointed position of Director of Strategic Partnerships and eliminate the requirement that the position of director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission be filled by a non-merit appointee. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#MoCoStrategicPartnership is being used for this bill on social media.
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Release ID: 20-192
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Juan Jovel 240-777-7931