July 28, 2026 - Council Session (PM)

The Montgomery County Council held a work session on July 28, 2026, addressing multiple procurement and budget-related items including special and supplemental appropriations for the FY27 operating budget, notably a $12 million state-funded appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services. The council unanimously approved zoning text amendments related to temporary uses, nonconforming use reinstatement, commercial data center regulations, and a moratorium on data center permits for 18 months to allow further study of environmental and community impacts. Additionally, the council approved a $420 million bond authorization for the Vivo White Oak Development District, a tax increment financing initiative for economic development, with amendments requiring council approval for bond issuances exceeding certain thresholds. The Health and Human Services Committee recommended enactment of Bill 12-26 to update payment frameworks for developmental disability service providers. The session also featured presentations by summer fellows on topics including emergency response equity, arts funding impact evaluation, police community outreach, economic development fund evaluation, career and technical education outcomes, transit accessibility, healthcare access in rural areas, and environmental impacts of road salt application. Council members engaged with the fellows, highlighting the relevance of their research to ongoing county initiatives and expressing interest in incorporating their findings into future policy and budget considerations.