For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee also meets at 2 p.m.
The Council will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. to continue reviewing Committee recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Operating Budget and FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) amendments.
The Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) will also meet at 2 p.m. to discuss Bill 10-21 which would require the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) to submit an Economic Development Strategic Plan and review Executive Regulation 4-21 on landlord tenant relations and air conditioning. Bill 10-21 was introduced by lead sponsor Councilmember Friedson.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
Review: The Council will review the $1.77 million FY22 Recommended Operating Budget for the Office of Human Rights. The recommendation is an increase of nearly 28 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $1.38 million, with personnel costs accounting for over 82 percent of the budget.
The mission of the Office of Human Rights is to enforce the County's worker protection laws and anti-discrimination laws in housing, commercial real estate, employment and public accommodations. The office also promotes increased understanding and tolerance among diverse groups.
To advance the County's Racial Equity and Social Justice Law, which was authored and spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro and supported by the full Council, key initiatives for FY22 include the creation of two investigator positions within the office and funding for education and outreach campaigns. These initiatives align with Council Bill 35-20 on fair criminal record screening standards, which was initiated by Councilmember Jawando and supported by the full Council, and Bill 49-20, the Housing Justice Act, which was initiated by Councilmembers Glass and Katz and supported by the full Council.
Those expected to attend include James Stowe, director, Office of Human Rights and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Review: The Council will review Committee recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) FY22 Operating Budget General Fund of $270,248,743 which is an increase of 7.5 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget. The Council will also review DHHS' Grant Fund of $88,553,508, which is up 1.3 percent. DHHS has been at the center of the COVID-19 response, and the FY22 Recommended Budget includes several increases that continue changes that have taken place, such as the consolidated service hubs, and the change to year-round emergency shelter services with the ability to provide physical distancing.
During FY21 these and many other efforts had to be undertaken through emergency procurements and increased spending above the FY21 approved level. The Council will review these changes and consider 1.5 percent inflationary adjustments for payments to eligible non-profit service providers, eligible developmental disabilities organizations and adult medical daycare organizations. These inflationary adjustments would be in addition to the 1.5 percent in the recommended budget bringing the total adjustments to 3 percent.
Those expected to attend include Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, DHHS; Victoria Buckland, chief operating officer, DHHS; Dr. Odile Brunetto, chief, Aging and Disability Services, DHHS; Dr. Rolando Santiago, chief, Behavioral Health and Crisis Services; JoAnn Barnes, chief, Children, Youth, and Family Services; Dr. Travis Gayles, chief, Public Health Services and County Health Officer; Amanda Harris, chief, Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, DHSS; Mark Hodge, special assistance to the chief operating officer, DHHS; Jason Rundell, Management and Budget, DHHS; and OMB staff.
Homeless Services and Rental Assistance
The Council will review programs funded in the FY22 Recommended Budget of $31 million that support homeless and formerly homeless individuals in the County.
The recommendation includes a $3.081 million increase for the operating costs of the homeless shelter system and moving to a year-round shelter policy, $89 million for the Housing Initiative Fund to provide affordable housing production, preservation, support for rental assistance and homeownership programs, and community-based services, a $1 million increase to the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and an additional $490,000 for Rapid Rehousing.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, DHHS; Amanda Harris, chief, Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, DHHS; Aseem Nigam, director, DHCA; Frank Demarais, deputy director, DHCA; Ilana Branda, deputy chief, Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, DHHS; and OMB staff.
Working Families Income Supplement NDA
Review: The Council will review the $40.1 million recommended budget for the Working Families Income Supplement (WFIS) NDA. The recommendation nearly doubles the FY21 Approved Budget.
This NDA provides funds to supplement the State’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and is intended to benefit low-income working families in the County. The County supplements the state’s refund by 100 percent, in effect doubling the amount received from the state for County residents. On April 20, lead sponsors Councilmembers Vice President Albornoz and Councilmembers Navarro and Katz introduced Expedited Bill 14-21 to expand eligibility for the Working Families Income Supplement.
Montgomery County’s Director of Finance Mike Coveyou is expected to attend the meeting.
Municipal Property Tax Duplication
Review: The Council will review the recommended $9.1 million budget for payments to the municipalities NDA, which is nearly a 10 percent increase from the FY21 Approved budget.
County law establishes a program to provide reimbursements to municipalities to offset property tax duplication, which occurs when the County and municipality both levy a property tax on a municipal taxpayer to fund a specific service, but only the municipality provides that service to its residents. The two items related to property tax duplication payments in FY22 include the Executive’s proposed resolution and recommended appropriation for the FY22 Operating Budget.
Review: The Council will review the $448.7. million Recommended FY22 Operating Budget for debt service. The recommended appropriation for the next fiscal year reflects the past spending decisions of the County. The County’s debt service costs are based on its credit rating. The County has the highest credit rating possible for a local government, which is AAA, from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard and Poor’s and from Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Montgomery County’s Director of Finance Mike Coveyou is expected to attend the meeting.
Budget Consent Items
The Council will also review the following budget consent items:
PHED Committee Meeting on May 12
Review: The PHED Committee will review Bill-21 which would task the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) with submitting an Economic Development Strategic Plan with recommendations to retain businesses, attract new businesses and improve employment opportunities available to County residents.
To develop the plan, MCEDC would take input from partner agencies and organizations including the Planning Board and the County’s Workforce Development Organization, as well as incorporate economic development plans developed by the Council and County Executive.
The lead sponsor of Bill 10-21 is Councilmember Friedson. Councilmembers Riemer, Navarro, Council Vice President Albornoz and Councilmember Katz are cosponsors.
Executive Regulation 4-21, Landlord-Tenant Relations - Obligations of Landlord - Air Conditioning
Review: The Committee will also review and is expected to vote on Executive Regulation 4-21 which implements Bill 24-19 and requires a landlord to provide and maintain air conditioning service in certain rental housing from June 1 through September 30. Council President Hucker was the lead sponsor of Bill 24-19. Councilmembers Jawando, Navarro, Riemer and Council Vice President Albornoz were cosponsors. The regulation provides the requirements for reasonable repair and maintenance of air conditioning and would become effective on June 1, 2020.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Aseem Nigam, director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA); Frank Demarais, deputy director, DHCA; Christopher Anderson, chief, Community Development Division, DHCA; and Dan McHugh, manager, Housing Code Enforcement, DHCA.
The Council or Committee meeting schedules may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review 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 and Committee meetings 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, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-204