County Executive Marc Elrich shared his proposed fiscal year 2026 capital budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) amendments.
He has sent his proposal to the county council, Elrich said during a media briefing Wednesday.
The recommended budget totals $5.85 billion, which is a decrease of 1.4%, or $83.5 million, from the last CIP, according to the county.
“Our debt limit constrains our ability to make critical community investments in additional school construction projects and to make good on our promise to fully deliver Bus Rapid Transit and other transportation improvements,” according to budget documents from Elrich.
Project delays include the Rockville Fire Station 3 renovation, child care renovations, and Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center building improvements. According to Elrich, the Outdoor Firearms Training Center project and Summit Avenue Extension project were delayed due to cost pressures and impact tax revenue shortfalls.
It is the biennial, or “second” year of the CIP, so generally small adjustments are made, Elrich explained.
About $1.74 billion of the CIP goes to Montgomery County Public Schools construction. His recommendation increases the funding set aside in “unprogrammed” in the CIP by $18 million in order to fund the shortfall for Woodward High School, according to Rachel Silberman, manager of the county’s Office of Management and Budget. The school board requested enhancements for three high school projects: Woodward, Crown, and Northwood high schools.
The recommended CIP adds a few new projects: a Brookville Bus Depot HVAC project, community facility enhancements in Olney, and the extension of the U.S. 29 Flash line to Columbia.
The CIP adds funds for Scotland AME Zion Church reconstruction and CASA Rockville welcome center renovations, according to Silberman.
It also adds $5 million of federal funding for a North Bethesda Metro Station northern entrance.
