For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The Council will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 13 at 9:30 a.m. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: https://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: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council is scheduled to take action on the following:
Resolution to Establish FY21 Solid Waste Service Charges
The Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution to establish FY21 solid waste service charges. Under the County Executive’s recommendations, charges would vary depending on the services provided.
The Council staff report will be available here on May 13.
Resolution to Establish FY21 Water Quality Protection Charge
The Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution to establish the FY21 Water Quality Protection Charge. On March 16, the County Executive transmitted a proposed resolution related to the Water Quality Protection Charge equivalent residential unit rate (ERU) for FY21. The County Executive recommends an ERU rate of $108.10, which is an increase of $3.85 (or 3.7 percent) from the FY20 approved rate of $104.25.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolution to Approve WSSC System Development Charge
The Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution to approve the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC) System Development Charge. The System Development Charge (SDC) is paid by new development to cover the impact of that new development on WSSC infrastructure. Each year, both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties must approve an annual SDC and the maximum allowable charge. At its bi-county meeting on May 7, the two Councils agreed to keep SDC rates for FY21 at current (FY19) levels but to raise the maximum allowable rate by 1.2 percent, as allowed under State law, to give WSSC and the counties flexibility to raise rates in the future if necessary to cover gaps in growth funding versus growth expenditures.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolution to Approve FY20 Savings Plan
The Council is scheduled to introduce and vote on a resolution to approve an FY20 Operating Budget savings plan submitted by the County Executive for $21.1 million. On March 18, the County Executive transmitted an FY20 savings plan to reduce the approved Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) prefunding expenditures for County government by $21.1 million and instead increase the General Fund reserve by that same amount. The County Executive’s proposal would achieve $21.1 million in FY20 savings by reducing the OPEB pre-funding for County Government from $34.7 million as approved to $13.5 million based on an updated actuarial valuation.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Community Grants Non-Department Account and MCG: Cost Sharing
The Council will review the Community Grants Non-Department Account and Capital Grants as part of the capital budget within Cost Sharing: MCG Project. On March 16, 2020, the County Executive recommended moving 67 community grants funded as part of the FY20 budget (totaling $3.8 million) into the base budgets of departments and $9,734,251 in renewed community grants to organizations that leverage federal, state and/or private funding or improve the quality of life for County residents. The County Executive also recommended $1,783,362 to fund nonprofit and arts and humanities organizations for capital projects. Council staff will recommend strategies to support nonprofit sector services and infrastructure and continue the discussion of legislation to launch an Office of Grants Management, which was introduced in December by Councilmember Navarro and co-sponsored by Council President Katz, Council Vice President Hucker, Councilmember Albornoz, Councilmember Riemer and Councilmember Rice, after the COVID-19 pandemic stabilizes.
The Council staff report will be available here on May 13.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Recycling and Resource Management and Solid Waste Service Charges
The Council is scheduled to complete its review of the FY21 Operating Budget for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Recycling and Resource Management and Solid Waste Service Charges. Department of Environmental Protection - Recycling and Resource Management and Solid Waste Service Charges. The mission of DEP is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving the County’s air, water and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy and healthy communities.
The Council staff report will be available here on May 13.
Legislative Branch Communications Office Non-Departmental Account and Public Information Office (PIO)
The Council also is scheduled to complete its review of the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Operating Budget for the Legislative Branch Communications Office Non-Departmental Account (NDA) and the Public Information Office (PIO). The Legislative Branch Communications Office NDA provides funds to strengthen the capacity of five legislative branch offices (the Council Office, the Office of Legislative Oversight, the Board of Appeals, the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, and the Office of the Inspector General) to inform residents of issues that directly affect them and to ensure that community concerns are effectively taken into account.
The Council staff report will be available here on May 13.
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Release ID: 20-203