May 4 2026 - Council Budget Worksession (AM)

The Montgomery County Council held a budget worksession on May 4, 2026, focusing on the FY27 operating budget review. Key procurement-related discussions included budget allocations and reductions across various departments such as the Ethics Commission, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, WSSC Water, and Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS). The Council reviewed contract-related budget items, including a $273,000 IT system upgrade for the Ethics Commission and discussed WSSC Water's proposed rate increases to cover aging infrastructure repairs, notably a $59 million Potomac Interceptor repair with WSSC's share around $20 million. The Council also debated reductions in TEBS contractual support, approving a $400,000 cut to contractual services without impacting operations. Additionally, the Council addressed the cable fund budget and the pending contract negotiations affecting fund transfers to Montgomery College and MCPS. The session concluded with a discussion on property tax rate options, where the Council expressed unanimous opposition to the County Executive's proposed property tax increase, emphasizing the need for difficult budget cuts and labor contract negotiations to address a significant budget gap without raising taxes.