For Immediate Release: Friday, February 19, 2021
The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. and the Transportation and Environment Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m.
The Council will meet virtually on Monday, Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. and the Transportation and Environment Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m.
Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council and Committee review can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council and Committee meeting schedules may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee 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.
State Legislation
Representatives from the County's Office of Intergovernmental Relations will provide the Council with an update on the 2021 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly and provide an overview of pending police reform bills. Those expected to provide information at the Council meeting include: Melanie Wenger, director, Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR); Kathleen Boucher, special assistant to director, OIR; Leslie Frey, legislative analyst, OIR; Sara Morningstar, federal relations coordinator and legislative analyst, OIR; Amy Samman, legislative analyst, OIR; and representatives from County departments.
The Council staff report includes a summary chart for each of the bills to be considered at the meeting and can be viewed here.
Meeting: Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
GO Committee: Councilmembers Nancy Navarro (Chair), Sidney Katz and Andrew Friedson
Topics:
Fiscal Year 2021 Savings Plan
The GO Committee will consider the County Executive’s recommended savings for the Department of Technology Services, Office of Human Resources, Office of the Inspector General, County Council and Legislative Branch Communications Non-Departmental Account, Community Engagement Cluster, Office of the County Attorney and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations.
The County Executive recommends a reduction of $1,818,000 for all the items reviewed by the GO Committee. Most of the recommended reductions for operating expenses are accrued through the County’s remote work policies, and most of the recommended reductions for personnel costs are accrued through lapse and turnover savings. Council staff recommends the approval of all reductions except for a $40,002 reduction for contractual services in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, consistent with the Council’s previous decision on this issue.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Reserves and Select Fiscal Policies
The GO Committee will review and make recommendations to the Council to update Resolution 17-312 – reserves and select fiscal policies. The GO Committee, led by Chair Navarro, will review this resolution for potential updates in line with best practices for reserves and general updates that may be necessary to make the resolution more comprehensive. Continuing to refine this resolution will strengthen the County’s fiscal policies, aid in retention of its AAA bond rating and aid in the County’s response to current and future emergencies. Montgomery County is one of the few counties that has a AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies. The County has held this honor since 1973 through rigorous standards and strong financial management. The County continues working to enhance its rating by seeking opportunities for economic development to grow its tax bases and drive the regional economy.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee
Time: 2:30 p.m.
T&E Committee: Council President Tom Hucker (Chair) and Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topic:
Climate Action Plan
The T&E Committee will receive a briefing on the County’s Draft Climate Action Plan. The release of the Draft Climate Action Plan represents the culmination of several years of work. Adriana Hochberg, the County’s Director of County Climate Policy along with DEP staff will lead the briefing. Representatives from the consultants (AECOM and Nspiregreen) will be available as well.
The County has been active for many years in studying the County’s greenhouse gas emissions, developing goals and strategies, and implementing numerous initiatives. The current planning effort stems from the December 2017, Council approval of Council Resolution 18-974, Emergency Climate Mobilization. This resolution supported an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035, as well as to initiate large-scale efforts to remove excess carbon from the atmosphere.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Release ID: 21-059