[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6605705,"mediaKeyId","2985033-4fe3570b94cb75bbe6627a4a2000cbb7","parentId",2985033,"title","Community college proposes $142.9 million FY 2026 budget; leaders flag federal funding and equity risks","audioSeconds",1814,"startMs",3014000,"endMs",4828000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985033-4fe3570b94cb75bbe6627a4a2000cbb7&start=3014&end=4828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985033-4fe3570b94cb75bbe6627a4a2000cbb7/thumbnail_3014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605705/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Community-college-proposes-1429-million-FY-2026-budget-leaders-flag-federal-funding-and-equity-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605705-ec6c76365c8765878a8935860dcec69a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620830&Signature=AO3sywEGTspEivnJZzAsn5lun5h-YqijREPS47fcRCiGTsktMiwHo~UIEhcYgXvL812RLsM~wZc2JGrPrYLpm0pcjGJMBrwNG88fj-Uyhtj3Atcu-FQjeVA7IOy45QJQ132G-hCgJlHfrJcYsSNh0QpAI9rm7wulGCcs~LooaJgbHejDfA~VdOcc3IGul4PlS0zL14d64sWVq3yP9zMzS16TozxiZwgrBZ2w8zZIRb7fpUdjng5qzzQISJEZVz9~SWRy6uMH2t7ypl49WeCRSFXunm-GspQ1CernSO-3CcADuM6eN5irGPHnF8w4b4imWJlNSqWM5mKxK0wwGWIBdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Prince George's County Education and Workforce Development Committee reviewed the Prince George's Community College (PGCC) fiscal 2026 proposed operating budget of $142,900,000, a $6,300,000 (4.6%) increase the college said is driven primarily by state aid and tuition and fees, while the county contribution is proposed to remain at $46,900,000 (date not specified).

Aaron Rivera, director of the Education and Workforce Development Committee, introduced the presentation. \"The Prince George's Community College fiscal year 2026 proposed operating budget is $142,900,000,\" Rivera said. College representatives summarized enrollment trends, federal funding risks and capital priorities.

Why it matters: college leadership said proposed increases would mainly fund compensation and fringe benefits; however, officials warned that federal policy changes and pauses in grant processes could reduce revenue and affect student programs and staff funded by federal dollars.

PGCC representatives told the committee total student enrollment (credit and noncredit) has rebounded since the COVID dip but remains below FY 2020 levels; noncredit enrollment in particular is still well below pre-pandemic levels. The college identified three major federal-dependent risks: possible impacts to diversity programming tied to federal nondiscrimination interpretations, uncertainty around Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) funding, and concerns from staff and students about potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on campus.

College representatives said the PBI designation has brought roughly $3,500,000 in funding to PGCC and that application portals for renewal had not been open at the time of the briefing, complicating FY 2026 planning. College leaders said they are conducting scenario planning and auditing programs for compliance with federal executive orders while attempting to preserve services for students.

On capital, the FY 2026 proposed capital budget for PGCC is $19,900,000; college materials cited $2,000,000 toward college improvements and an increased total project cost to finalize construction of Marlborough Hall. College leaders said they are completing a 10-year master plan and are reprioritizing capital for greater access in the southern part of the county, noting past disruptions such as a proposed Iverson Mall project that stalled during the pandemic.

Officials described program successes and risks. Dr. Williams (PGCC representative) said scholarship programs such as Maryland Promise have been reduced at the state level by $3,000,000, which the college expects will require local adjustments to preserve student aid. The college also said it is monitoring FAFSA and Department of Education processing risks following federal staffing changes, which in prior years led the college to protect students while aid processing delays were resolved.

Committee members asked for details on the college's master plan timing and capital funding schedule. An official who identified themselves as Erin said the Hillcrest branch replacement project appears in the proposed CIP with funding beginning in fiscal 2030 and most funding beyond the six-year window; the college and county staff said many capital projects are currently scheduled toward the latter half of the decade because of constrained bond markets and funding availability.

Members asked about dual enrollment and access: college staff said dual-enrollment students are subject to minimum academic criteria negotiated with Prince George's County Public Schools and that the district/college cost-sharing model has changed and is under negotiation; staff emphasized that eligible students can participate without paying tuition under the current sharing arrangements.

Officials also described targeted workforce and reentry initiatives. The college has opened a reentry-focused skills program at its Skill Trades Center in Camp Springs in partnership with county reentry services, and it runs Team Builders and other short-term credential programs intended to move returning residents quickly into employment.

No committee vote was recorded on the college budget at this session. College staff said they will continue scenario planning as federal grant windows and state-level funding evolve.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - Education and Workforce Development Committee - Budget Work-session: Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Prince George’s Community College - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prince George's Community College presented a $142.9 million FY 2026 operating budget. Officials said the increase rests on state aid and tuition while county contribution holds; they warned that federal uncertainty around Predominantly Black Institutions funding and other grants could affect programs and staff.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"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},6605709,"Library system proposes $37.9 million operating budget for FY 2026; officials warn of staffing and federal grant risks",1263,1671000,2934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985033-4fe3570b94cb75bbe6627a4a2000cbb7&start=1671&end=2934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985033-4fe3570b94cb75bbe6627a4a2000cbb7/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","/articles/6605709/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Library-system-proposes-379-million-operating-budget-for-FY-2026-officials-warn-of-staffing-and-federal-grant-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605709-d0ee20ef6ef24a6405901bfb3acc4bc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620830&Signature=KRm3kaTPtzAK8p8kPIjfXfWlHmGVkq6Oo5WeeIJL~J0nVrG-b8cmvkIrjIbVNY8IxgABPTwD3Jf701yja1B8QFHVcaWW9TRcQnFFqjofXsPrJ5ZHWKF~mDecVk~HxF0mVqda8Lbc9uBmxwX~q6sd~qxd4bGRXsKWPZog~56M7YdvUZyzmuwr6urfUh7jBGTjyTZYkw6T9JIAXC7-osju6TiiP8VlWtqdO~vuvkpDa-yByO1IyW5titIB88LH~bDpAyitgb~g12OY7SRC~LWxRdOUh6WEZPD-Vb1DnoZ7ZvRLiRdiJFbpAkrkKddleKiD4WjMuGGhlRIND9gugJmUOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince George's County Education and Workforce Development Committee heard a presentation on the Prince George's County Memorial Library System's proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget of $37,900,000 and a $3,300,000 capital allocation for branch renovations (date not specified).

The proposal would raise the library's operating budget by $409,500 over the prior year. \"The Prince George's County Memorial Library system FY26 proposed operating budget is $37,900,000,\" said Adena Bayard, director of the Education and Workforce Development Committee, as she opened the presentation. Committee members and library officials said the increase largely reflects mandated salary increases and fringe benefits, while other operating expenses are being reduced to offset compensation costs.

Why it matters: library leaders said compensation pressures, a long-standing freeze on some positions, and uncertainty about several federal grants could reduce services and outreach. The library is projecting continued staffing constraints while branch footprints expand, and elected members pressed for a clearer plan to address deferred maintenance and geographic equity across the county.

Library officials said authorized staffing has held steady since at least fiscal 2020, while the system maintains roughly 28 positions on hold that are projected to remain unfilled in FY 2026. Durge Salahidris, identified in the meeting as director of finance for the library system, said the county has a budget gap and the system is planning to hold roughly 10% of positions; \"the total cost including fringe benefit is approximately $1,500,000,\" Salahidris said, and the system does not expect to implement merit or cost-of-living adjustments in FY 2026 if the gap persists.

Officials also described immediate federal funding risks. Dr. Mark Winston and Megan Sutherland, identified as the library's presenters, said the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has been affected by an executive order and staff placements that put two active grants—one for strategic planning and one for staff development—on pause for FY 2025. Winston said the statewide statistics grant that supports data visualization and training is likewise paused. The library's \"career connector\" mobile workforce development vehicle, funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, is currently progressing, but officials said they are monitoring possible changes.

The presentation listed five primary concerns: increasing branch footprints without matching staffing supports; rising compensation and benefits that are not matched by revenue increases; delays in student data needed to issue library cards; rising IT and cybersecurity costs; and limited capital funding for future branch construction and renovations. Library staff also noted a capital program change: the Langley Park branch has shifted from new construction to a lease-and-renovate approach using existing retail space.

Library leaders described operational trade-offs. The materials/collection budget reportedly fell by roughly $1,000,000 (about 33%) from FY 2021 to the FY 2026 proposed level, a reduction library staff said they are monitoring because it may affect circulation and wait times for items. The library also flagged an expected increase in employer retirement contributions: projected retirement costs for 2026 were cited at $678,000 while the proposed budget includes $500,000 for that line.

Officials reviewed usage patterns and outreach. Library presenters said about two-thirds of county residents are library card holders, and that more than 10% of library programs are offered in partnership with community groups such as Employ Prince George's, AARP and NASA. Staff noted Sunday service accounts for a smaller share of branch traffic than expected: branches open four hours on Sunday should account for roughly 14% of weekly visits, but observed Sunday percentages range about 7%–11% at many locations.

Several council members raised equity and facility concerns. Councilmember Burrows pressed the library leadership about conditions at Oxon Hill and other southern-county branches, recounting an instance where senior citizens had to be moved because air conditioning failed. Library staff said a newly hired executive director of support services, Simon George (not present), is developing a comprehensive plan to catalogue deferred maintenance and prioritize repairs. Staff said recent restroom renovations and HVAC work have been completed at several branches and that some HVAC replacement units are arriving and expected to reduce closure days this summer.

On outreach and space use, library staff said systemwide outreach is coordinated through an outreach and partnership specialist but that person operates without a dedicated activity budget and that branches carry much of the outreach workload. Committee members and library staff discussed piloting alternative uses of library space (for example, satellite services or small-business incubators) and asked for follow-up meetings to develop pilots targeted to north, central and south county needs.

No formal votes were taken on the budget during the committee briefing. The presentation materials and the full report were noted to be available in the committee's virtual binder (presentation begin page 3, full report page 27).","Prince George's County Memorial Library System presented a $37.9 million FY 2026 operating budget and $3.3 million in capital renovations. Officials said compensation increases and frozen positions will strain operations, several federal grants are paused, and branch-equity and repair needs remain pressing.","actionData","errors"]

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Community college proposes $142.9 million FY 2026 budget; leaders flag federal funding and equity risks

Library system proposes $37.9 million operating budget for FY 2026; officials warn of staffing and federal grant risks