Apr 24 2026 - GO Committee Worksession

The Montgomery County Council's Government Operations Committee held a worksession on April 24, 2026, focusing primarily on budget discussions related to racial equity initiatives and grants management. Key procurement-related topics included the approval of the FY27 operating budget for the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, which saw a recommended increase of approximately $90,000 to support ongoing equity work and training. The committee also discussed extending the deadline for departments to complete racial equity action plans to 2027, with a recommendation to set a firm date for compliance. Significant attention was given to the Office of Grants Management's budget and operations, highlighting their role in managing incoming and outgoing grants, including a $1.5 million nonprofit federal resiliency grant program. The committee considered a potential $500,000 reduction to this grant funding as part of budget reconciliation. Additionally, a funding shift of $150,000 was approved to centralize a grants management software license under the Office of Grants Management, resulting in cost savings and increased departmental access. The committee acknowledged the office's success in securing approximately $46 million in direct grant assistance in FY26 and emphasized the importance of continued support for grant writing and management services. The FY27 budget for the Office of Grants Management showed a slight decrease, with no new staffing additions but compensation adjustments. The committee also reviewed capital improvement grant projects and cost-sharing initiatives, including a $2.5 million allocation for CASA Incorporated's workforce development facility renovation. Overall, the meeting involved multiple budget approvals, funding reallocations, and policy discussions aimed at enhancing grant administration and advancing racial equity goals within Montgomery County.