[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125575,"mediaKeyId","2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93","parentId",2676755,"title","County council unanimously approves four supplemental appropriations for federal grants supporting policing, housing and digital equity","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",2016000,"endMs",2060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93&start=2016&end=2060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93/thumbnail_2016000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125575/Montgomery-County/Maryland/County-council-unanimously-approves-four-supplemental-appropriations-for-federal-grants-supporting-policing-housing-and-digital-equity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125575-a222f8950dec932c190e57aa9cb0c6d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175384&Signature=UfZLat0DG-OtuHw1dJvHVONtvL8OmTgDAUUFkx7oj7i-iPf6JOreP2pcWAENy6w2J~LrSmWpgkEuye~Q9mSd8OTBeGpJ6MoMjyVnkSrALvoeQPPuHhTllQSRSRXQHW2IvoqI1Y67M3OziG3NpLHI23JS9MV3c7jjwd~5QpVtmYHWcIyKwDQ~VcL-yqJi5fcWoNABcEpZtKkBUKlsd0eTXIA~hjnNeyOpcoGimFuBE-gDCPp7uhnljuwdwbDYllXFFR8ssiRjLEHBa-wVP2ECS~McksLC9J-zLeWmS1QPNtJPzo64-aUCJnMt9f2pq3gHedVX2X4~NbBMfZgJU~QRJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-03-19T00:31:41.187Z","article","The Montgomery County Council took immediate votes to approve four supplemental appropriations following public hearings.

• Supplemental Appropriation 25-44: The council approved a FY2025 operating supplemental appropriation to the Department of Police for a federal Bureau of Justice Assistance award (Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Program) in the amount of $2,000,000. Councilmember Lukey moved the appropriation and Councilmember Balcom seconded; the chair reported that all members present on the dais voted in favor.

• Supplemental Appropriation 25-56: The council approved a FY2025 operating supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Continuum of Care program in the amount of $493,095 (federal grant). Councilmember Albinaz moved and Councilmember Counts seconded; the motion carried with all members present voting in favor.

• Supplemental Appropriation 25-57: The council approved a FY2025 capital supplemental appropriation for the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development HomeStretch Public Housing Grant, in the amount of $4,629,208 (federal aid). Councilmember Natalie Fanny Gonzales moved and Councilmember Lukey seconded; the vote was unanimous among members present on the dais.

• Supplemental Appropriation 25-59: The council approved an amendment to the FY25 capital improvements program and a supplemental appropriation for the Montgomery Connects digital equity project (Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions). The source of funds was listed as federal aid; the transcript’s stated amount for this item was unclear in the record and is noted below. Council Vice President Will Giordo moved and Councilmember Balcom seconded; all members present on the dais voted in favor.

All four measures passed without floor debate or registered public speakers at the moment of action. The meeting record shows unanimous support among council members present; the transcript does not list individual roll‑call votes or a numerical tally of yes/no votes in each case.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mar. 18, 2025 - Council Session (pm)","oneSentenceSummary","The Montgomery County Council approved four supplemental appropriations for FY2025 to accept federal grants for police hate-crimes work, homeless services, public housing, and a digital equity program.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125585,"Montgomery County residents, builders clash at public hearing over proposed $20,000 demolition tax",1776,322000,2098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93&start=322&end=2098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93/thumbnail_322000.jpg","/articles/6125585/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-residents-builders-clash-at-public-hearing-over-proposed-20000-demolition-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125585-5bc23698850ccc136dd2dda819449971/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175384&Signature=Dq85JiPSbcJ4EkeT01d-VTC2hvrPtnF3MDH4wpvJpryH2m0Si5-rPonlB3iry0XoIa2qVo7EsOskBGqMr1XB4g6KHTk31iGdHncbhOPBwLcGmbJIA3X8Jn9TkvKd55ms3rwnSi2oQCYAq5BUSLYBg1a8jFhI40kYYSbmrkSIh1a9f~r-bHZjUdaGEPGwMQLdVDkyWpzJmt7ocU-NoHGVmv7NE2mGgqYcAspXBNfJ0tHxXXyDw8Ut8wvjydYOK17Orkpttf3d1idU8Jhz5Lv1TjVSNw-B~WtUS2i-8hf9DGirZ4z7-UJfVXv5NfS7opIipaevVhe12GD8g7XowrPfoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on Bill 5-25, a proposed excise tax on certain demolitions and renovations of single-family homes intended to generate revenue for affordable housing programs.

Supporters told the council the tax would fund the County’s Housing Production Fund (HPF) and help produce permanently affordable housing. Rohit Khanna, a member of the Somerset Town Council, said the HPF is “a very efficient model to finance and develop publicly owned, self sustaining, mixed income, good quality and permanently affordable housing,” and urged the council to consider combining demolition-tax revenue with additional appropriations to deliver more units.

The bill matters because demolition of older, smaller homes and replacement with larger, higher-priced homes is one mechanism that can reduce affordable housing supply and increase school enrollments in certain clusters, witnesses said. Advocates argued a dedicated revenue stream would allow the HPF to leverage public funds to produce mixed‑income housing.

Supporters and opponents offered sharply different forecasts about the tax’s effects. Julie Greenberg, a 35‑year Somerset resident, called the HPF “a resounding success” and endorsed Councilmember Mink’s proposal for a $20,000 excise as a fair way to direct funds from demolitions toward affordable housing. Aden (Eden) Aaron, a policy analyst at CASA, said the measure is “critical to prevent new development from driving up costs without creating affordable housing options,” noting concerns about displacement among CASA members.

Opponents representing builders and local home‑building trade groups said the tax could depress demolition permits and concentrate new construction in wealthier areas. Antonio Francis, owner of Francis Development and chair of the Montgomery County chapter’s custom home builders council, said the county already has seen “a significant 50% plus decrease in demo permits issued,” and warned a new $20,000 fee could further reduce rebuilds in parts of the county that cannot absorb that cost. Mimi Brodsky Kress, a longtime local builder, said, “The idea that the cost of a demolition permit would go from several hundred dollars instantly to $20,000 seems ludicrous,” and cautioned the tax could reduce infill building near transit.

Speakers also urged changes to how revenue would be allocated. One commenter referenced a 2019 proposal by Councilmember Glass that would have split similar fees between the Housing Production Fund and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS); several witnesses asked the council to consider sharing proceeds with MCPS to help cover enrollment impacts tied to redeveloped properties.

The council accepted in-person testimony from seven speakers and allowed the record to remain open for written submissions. The council’s staff notice stated written materials would be accepted through the close of business on 03/27/2025. The public hearing was later closed with no formal vote on the bill recorded at the meeting.

Key testimony excerpts: Khanna praised the HPF’s ability to leverage funds for permanently affordable housing; Greenberg urged more public emphasis and funding for the HPF; Francis and Kress warned the tax would reduce demolitions and new building; Aaron said the proposal would help protect low‑income and immigrant communities from displacement.

The council did not act on the bill at the hearing; members left the record open until the stated deadline for written submissions and closed the public hearing thereafter.","Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on Bill 5-25, a proposed excise tax on certain demolitions and renovations of single-family homes intended to generate revenue for affordable housing programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125580,"Speaker at council hearing says Montgomery County police data report omits required details on crisis responses and training",69,1601000,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93&start=1601&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676755-b184b0c2a4100620506fa2021e95ac93/thumbnail_1601000.jpg","/articles/6125580/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Speaker-at-council-hearing-says-Montgomery-County-police-data-report-omits-required-details-on-crisis-responses-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125580-53e02b0081d8c7f5cf88aee64f1a8401/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175384&Signature=hNAFuaxJ1C-M1F9fGg0vU4vRN5dCLmHvBiVcOkdZeAwAtRtP-iI-YRuy19glEb9cKFrEa5bw40tce7XvXEIY72VORISJyZFwZQhzJUyrr6titUcXhWJqIl5R3c-k9FBuqGYHRvhRioJZQeEZGVSwQXYtMyW~9h15laXLYtSh95~G-E8C3vrRjlxFHB-Oqzh1MITNcRqWjgAFIr~66q0An6h1GH5L7gd7iKPObZ7Ph-MaGllea9XlJpWW9z64cOpk5S-7by-SfTjiZjty5nVLw0YInD1PHLUVSopIk5ChtAAVXIulSu~9EEQ4fNOJR1H~0SzQux1R8zwC7xLfJpY8dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a public hearing on the Montgomery County Council’s 2024 police statistical data report (required by Bill 45-20), a longtime community advocate said the published report omits data required by county law and leaves outstanding questions about responses to mental‑health and substance‑related calls.

Rob Landau, who said he is associated with the Silver Spring Justice Coalition but was testifying on his own behalf, told the council he and colleagues reviewed the department’s last three years of data and found persistent gaps. “Calls for service related to substance abuse and mental health remain stubbornly high,” Landau said, and the report does not show how often the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) or other alternative responders were dispatched to those calls.

Landau also told the council that officer overtime has been “dramatically and disturbingly increasing,” and he warned that rising overtime raises risks of exhausted officers and mistakes. He said several reporting requirements in county law 35‑6a were not met in the statistical report and that the published data did not reconcile with Data Montgomery (the county’s open‑data portal).

Landau complimented Assistant Chief Frank for meeting with members of his group to discuss the issues and said those meetings produced some clarifications and additional MCPD commitments. Still, Landau urged the council to request further explanation and links to detailed data so the public can reconcile the reports and review training and deployment metrics required by statute.

The council closed the public hearing after the testimony; no formal council action on the statistical report was recorded at the meeting.","A witness reviewing the 2024 Montgomery County Police Department statistical report told the County Council that key items required by local law are missing from the published data, and urged the council to press the department for reconciled data and explanations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County council unanimously approves four supplemental appropriations for federal grants supporting policing, housing and digital equity

Montgomery County residents, builders clash at public hearing over proposed $20,000 demolition tax

Speaker at council hearing says Montgomery County police data report omits required details on crisis responses and training