Apr 23, 2026 - PS Committee Worksession

The Montgomery County Council Public Safety Committee held a worksession on April 23, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related items for the upcoming fiscal year. Key discussions included budget increases for the Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee, with a notable $150,000 appropriation for special counsel support. The committee reviewed and approved a proposed increase in the county 911 fee from $1.47 to $1.93 per month to address a $9 million revenue gap for Emergency Communication Center operations. The Police Department presented a $4.4 million reconciliation list with programmatic and staffing enhancements, including replacement of 213 AED units, trial board resolutions funding, a new case management system, vehicle recovery software, and ALPR replacements. The committee also considered adding two crossing guards for new and existing elementary schools and funding for a police accountability board public portal with a $30,000 contract to Verseterm. Staffing increases for emergency communication specialists were discussed with a phased hiring approach recommended to manage costs. Additional items included grant fund replacements, crime analysis software subscription, and ongoing efforts to improve racial equity and operational efficiency. Several motions to place budget items on the reconciliation list were agreed upon, with some items recommended for phased funding to balance fiscal constraints.