The Montgomery County Council will be back in session Tuesday, holding public hearings on bills and the county’s operating budget for the next fiscal year.
A large portion of the public hearings will focus on the special appropriations to the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) operating budget, according to the county’s agenda. MCPS has requested funds to enhance school safety, which would include providing additional mental health support for students and behavioral threat assessment efforts and trainings. They have also asked for funds that would better remote education by providing online tutoring opportunities and technology access to all students.
Additionally, the county will also look into the operating budget for the department of recreation, which would allocate $1 million to youth sports programs. The county is also allocating funds to the Public Arts Trust, which would ensure maintenance for public works of art, and to the Montgomery Moving Forward. The Montgomery Moving Forward is an Early Care and Educations coordinating entity program in the county. The council will also appropriate funds to the department of transportation to replace roadside trees.
The county will also discuss a series of bills that would:
- Amend the county public campaign financing systems, including alter the maximum contribution limits;
- Prohibit the distribution of single-use straws except in certain circumstances, as well as establish a program for waste reduction;
- Amend county law regarding environmentally acceptable food service products and packaging materials;
- Amend disciplinary procedures for county police officers to increase accountability;
- Amend the law regarding criminal records screening;
- Require a test on adequacy of school infrastructure for the remaining unbuilt units;
- Select a uniform trader’s licence fee;
- Increase the rate of recordation tax and allocate the revenue received from that to schools and the Montgomery Housing Initiative funds;
- Amend transportation and school impact tax district designations;
The council will also receive an update on the coronavirus pandemic from the department of health and human services and will also hold a briefing on the Purple Line project.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, residents will not be allowed to attend the meeting in the Council Hearing room. But residents who want to speak will have the option to sign up on the council’s website, or submit an audio, video or written testimony by Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.
