On December 3 and January 14, 2025, the Montgomery County Council has set up public hearings to get input on a number of new policy and fiscal initiatives. The December agenda includes resolutions to improve police resources, support health and human services, and meet the needs of working families. In order to speak at the December session, residents must register by December 2 at 2:00 p.m., and for the January hearing, they must do so by January 13.
According to Montgomery County’s press release, one of the resolutions scheduled for public hearings is a proposal for a Supplemental Appropriation to the FY25 Operating Budget, which is expected to increase the Non-Departmental Account Working Families Income Supplement by $746,521, thanks to a Federal Grant. Significant federal awards totaling more than $1.6 million for the Department of Police’s new Crime Laboratory Information Management System and Crisis Co-Response Team are also scheduled for consideration.
A competitive Victims of Crime Act (VOCA/VOCG) award and funds for teenage vaping and nicotine addiction response—both of which come from the General Fund associated with the JUUL/Altria settlement—are among the resolutions aimed at enhancing health services. In order to promote energy saving and make use of the cash from the Exelon-Pepco merger, the Department of General Services is also requesting approval for capital appropriations.
The Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions took over on January 14 in pursuit of a $308,000 Copilot 365 Pilot Program financed by General Funds from Undesignated Reserves. Additionally, the “U V.I.S.A” Act, an expedited bill pertaining to the Police’s U visa Law Enforcement Certification Policy, is being discussed in an effort to harmonize local law enforcement practices with federal immigration regulations.
For further information on how to participate in the hearings, residents can phone 240-777-7803 or register for in-person or remote testimony via the Council’s website. You can submit written testimony online or by mail to the County Council in a variety of formats. To ensure openness and convenient access for individuals who are unable to attend, the public hearings will be streamed live across a number of platforms. The Council’s official website still has all the registration information and future agendas.
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