Rockville Mayor Ashton advocates for education and fire department funding during budget hearing

The Montgomery County Council convened on April 7, 2025, to discuss various budgetary concerns and community needs, with a focus on collaboration and support for local services. The meeting featured testimonies from several community leaders, including Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton, who addressed issues related to tax duplication, school funding, and support for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.

Mayor Ashton expressed gratitude for the county's collaboration on tax duplication and emphasized the importance of fair police reimbursement, noting the county's recent withdrawal of officers from local jurisdictions. She highlighted a decrease in transportation funding due to calculation errors and called for improved data reviews. Additionally, Ashton advocated for funding for paraeducators and mental health services within the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) budget, as well as support for the Extaffold Beyond the Bell program at Twinbrook Elementary, a Title 1 school.

Linda Bergovsky, co-chair of the Commission on Aging, urged the council to allocate $180,000 for initiatives aimed at improving affordable housing for older residents. She stressed the need for accessible housing and better communication about available services for seniors, including translation of materials into multiple languages. Bergovsky also proposed hiring a communications manager to enhance outreach efforts for aging and disability services.

Tom Cove, chair of the Montgomery Sports Advisory Committee, discussed the committee's focus on increasing sports participation and addressing disparities in access to sports programs. He proposed the creation of a countywide online sports programming directory to facilitate access to sports opportunities for all residents. Cove emphasized the importance of sports and recreation for community well-being, especially during challenging times.

Tina Sherman, vice chair of the sports advisory committee, echoed Cove's sentiments and requested technical assistance from the council to develop the sports directory. She highlighted the committee's commitment to geographic representation and inclusivity in sports programming.

Arianna Ross, a local resident and CEO of a nonprofit, shared personal experiences regarding equity in educational funding and access to community resources. She urged the council to continue funding for recreational centers and the Arts Council, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their family's financial situation.

The meeting concluded with a call for maintaining the proposed budget for animal services, as voiced by Jennifer Hughes on behalf of the Bridal Services Advisory Committee. The council's discussions underscored the importance of community collaboration and the need for continued support for essential services as they work towards finalizing the budget.