The Montgomery County Council will hold two public hearings in the month of November to receive testimony on funding appropriations and legislative proposals.
The hearings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of November at 1:30 p.m, according to a county council press release. Residents are encouraged to attend and give testimony either in person or virtually.
The first hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 15, will surround appropriations for the county’s 2023 operating budget. The proposed budgets include appropriating over $6 million to the Department of Health and Human Services and over $2.5 million to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The deadline to sign up to speak is Monday, Nov. 14, at 5:00 p.m.
The specific items to be discussed in the first hearing, as stated in the press release, are as follows:
- Supplemental Appropriation #23-22 to the County Government’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services – $3,551,720 for American Rescue Plan Act Older Americans Act Title III Grant (Source of Funds: State Grant); and Amendment to the County Government’s FY23 Resolution 19-1285, Section G, Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, Inc., Access Hears, Inc., Arts For the Aging, Inc., Home Care Partners, Inc., Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. and The Senior Connect of Montgomery County, Inc.
- Special Appropriation #23-19 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services – $853,699 for the Youth Harm Reduction Initiative (Source of Funds: General Fund: Undesignated Reserves).
- Special Appropriation #23-17 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services – $1,593,442 for Newcomers Enhancements and Assistance (Source of Funds: General Fund: Undesignated Reserves).
- Supplemental Appropriation #23-25 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Public Schools – $2,671,890 for Supply Chain Assistance (SAC) Fund (Source of Funds: State Grant).
The second hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 29, will include testimony surrounding proposed legislation involving councilmember vote requirements, demolition law and a small business grant program, according to the press release. The deadline to sign up to speak at this hearing is Monday, Nov. 28, at 5:00 p.m.
The specific items to be discussed in the second hearing are as follows:
- Expedited Bill 29-22, Local Laws – Updates to Required Numbers of Councilmember Votes, would update provisions of County law to reflect the required numbers of votes due to the expansion of the County Council from 9 to 11 members.
- Expedited Bill 30-22, Buildings – Demolition or Removal, would redefine the term demolish and generally amend the law regarding buildings and building permits.
- Expedited Bill 31-22, Finance – Economic Development Fund – Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program, would alter the administration and eligibility requirements of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program and generally amend the law regarding the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program and the Economic Development Fund.
Residents can register to speak in person or virtually at a public hearing, provide written testimony, prerecorded audio or video testimony here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html
Residents who would like to call in or testify at a Council public hearing need to preregister on the Council’s web page here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/calendar.html.
