[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6549808,"mediaKeyId","5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db","parentId",5422814,"title","Votes at a glance: Key actions by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on July 16, 2025","audioSeconds",4494,"startMs",5940000,"endMs",10434000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db&start=5940&end=10434","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db/thumbnail_5940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549808/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-actions-by-the-Montgomery-County-Board-of-Commissioners-on-July-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549808-08808c00b522c14c6443f15b0e44c86a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087034&Signature=CELEYAFEwmYll49dIPFtrSCB8RkqTqDzHEZnwLz1nj9R795FZwui3VZbU8uUObD62fMgidiUQaXa0hXYow2vLRnv1DY7lDZbH7c4nAKksqyuNT-JoEDAuc74B6x~lrr7BFL1mgToMJ19CVcSJPc~w6dv-IRTWZJEHF5rTtJVX7VjLubiSYauFxJbdU0bQQhHTZibn82tXPqwHp-Rp3q-AGaZ7hPZMgtyKaaqYHWUNyLkNMvPYBc-upZAKRQB-xDLTcvX34BV5REIobIEVI2Bo8OJ20iyXno8W9Rl-q-d08DfDDsmknQowYBzfMNQjc~j9AjgL1JxG1MlOrr2-9AHBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, PA","date","2025-07-17T12:26:06.73Z","article","This is a roundup of formal motions and recorded outcomes from the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners’ July 16, 2025 meeting, as reflected in the public meeting transcript.

Summary of recorded votes and formal approvals

- Approval of minutes: Motion to approve the 06/18/2025 meeting minutes was moved (Commissioner Winder), seconded, and approved (aye recorded).

- Resolution 1 — Planning assistance contracts (Bridgeport and Red Hill Borough): Scott France presented two three‑year community planning assistance contract renewals (Bridgeport: $59,708 total; Red Hill Borough: $54,005.16 total). Motion to approve resolution 1 was moved by Commissioner Winder, seconded, and the resolution was approved (aye recorded).

- Resolution 2 — HUD five‑year consolidated plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan (CDBG, HOME, ESG): Presented by Kaylee Silver. Motion to approve was moved by Commissioner DeBello, seconded by Commissioner Winder; the board voted aye and the resolution was approved. (See the full article in this package for program details and funding amounts.)

- Appointments to Parks, Trails and Historical Sites Advisory Board: Motion to approve appointments (resolution G‑3) was moved and seconded; the appointments were approved (aye recorded).

- Personnel list (07/15/2025): Human Resources presented the personnel list. Motion to approve the personnel list was moved by Commissioner Winder and seconded; the motion passed (aye recorded). One commissioner asked to separate a director-level position by motion but no second was recorded and the separation attempt failed.

- Advertisement of bids and RFPs (Section I, Exhibit A): Motion to approve advertisement of bids and RFPs was moved by Commissioner Winder, seconded, and approved (aye recorded).

- Contracts, awards, amendments and renewals (Section J, Exhibit B): Motion to approve contracts and renewals was moved and seconded; the board approved the items (aye recorded).

- SEPA Regional Task Force contracts (Section K, Exhibit C): Motion to approve contracts as described was moved and seconded; approved (aye recorded).

- Salary Board: The Salary Board materials were presented; a motion to approve the salary board presentation passed after discussion. One commissioner expressed objection to a specific director-level salary (approximately $160,000) and asked for prior consultation on such hires; the chair invited one-on-one pre-meeting discussion going forward.

- Adjournment: The board voted to adjourn the July 16 meeting; motion seconded and approved (aye recorded).

The public meeting transcript shows that several items received discussion and public comment before votes. For more detail on each approved agenda item, including which offices or projects will receive funding, see the related articles in this package (HUD annual action plan; Montco Forever Green; personnel and contracts summaries).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and recorded outcomes at the July 16 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting, including approvals of minutes, planning contracts, HUD annual action plan, appointments, personnel and contract awards.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",3511,"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},6549812,"Montgomery County adopts HUD annual action plan; commissioners authorize CDBG, HOME and ESG spending",560,6060000,6620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db&start=6060&end=6620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db/thumbnail_6060000.jpg","/articles/6549812/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-adopts-HUD-annual-action-plan-commissioners-authorize-CDBG-HOME-and-ESG-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549812-77a51158fa0afd3fb8e3fe2068df4796/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087034&Signature=KEP76gBy4SJAfRZkYpahWSxUU~w8IpQLgHH4s7zRvb~17xNcIxdkZlzkQIKqRRMx2bH9z7CJj2cT15AK8UCutHOEWU8dusKRDEcGOIQcGiA2TyoLJZSWoj6n3QiUfZSMQ7w6i9KTLkXsg1Bpx~GZ3U8t2s4oVnOD4kEuh3En0JUmbqZWEKWMaboMdF34LCVwXLlKjfb4pAy04FFNUubMI3yHbbJr4WqlCH4S6ZA0jt-DDXlUYPxhLAa5t0Our4O~Ce76ggI2WcV1iEeyvICJhppEQ40Usxc9f8DNbkgqJOCMmYFy-LJ~he75IH7Z1oiRqheBFOpgvF-98cvbDE5pfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted July 16 to adopt the county’s five‑year consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan that authorizes use of federal HUD entitlement grants. Kaylee Silver, administrator of the Office of Housing and Community Development, presented the plan and explained the proposed allocations and program priorities.

Silver summarized the three HUD entitlement grants covered by the action plan: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG, roughly $3.5 million), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME, about $1.3 million), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG, just under $300,000). She described proposed municipal investments (streets, stormwater, sidewalk and public‑facility improvements) across 58 participating municipalities; funding for emergency shelters and homeless services connected to the county’s Your Way Home initiative; rental and owner rehabilitation; and set‑asides to support affordable housing development and match requirements for low‑income housing tax credit projects.

Silver said the HOME program will adopt a year‑round rolling application for homeownership acquisition/rehab/resale and set aside $200,000 to support acquisition/rehab-to-resale projects. She noted caps and restrictions on CDBG (15% public services cap; 20% planning and administrative cap) and that ESG and HOME have matching requirements. The office also described coordination with local homeless service providers and the continuum of care.

The public comment period for the plan was held in advance and comments were incorporated into the draft. After the presentation there was a motion to approve the annual plan. The motion was moved by Commissioner DeBello and seconded by Commissioner Winder (recorded on the transcript). The board voted, the tally shown in the public meeting was an aye vote to approve the resolution. The county will use the grant dollars to fund the prioritized municipal capital projects, homeless services, housing rehab and development activities identified in the plan.

The adopted plan requires subsequent grant agreements and funding allocations to qualifying municipalities and agencies; those allocations will follow the county’s standard process of review by staff, recommendations and, where required, board approval.","The Board of Commissioners approved the county’s five‑year consolidated plan and the annual action plan for federal HUD entitlement grants (CDBG, HOME, ESG). Planned uses include municipal infrastructure projects, homelessness services, affordable housing development and public‑facility rehab.",{"_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},6549817,"Montgomery County launches 'Montco Forever Green' open‑space grant program with $2 million initial funding",912,3797000,4709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db&start=3797&end=4709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db/thumbnail_3797000.jpg","/articles/6549817/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-launches-Montco-Forever-Green-openspace-grant-program-with-2-million-initial-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549817-4a63117baf8ffdaa74b507ebe4eb8ac1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087034&Signature=i1XowyiwtGaDQd7GWdDhVnUKxq9vvZKhMBYgTykl~J-uYl9WC54tqBdV-~zDcpn9-FOuPY5JY9a9YCOuVmi7O3S0s7N6EIN2pbGA2Q0xmmTWuUvMnQezaLFre~aBzYEL7TtCuxiANGyIldBjdnuAVfN36QPTVOV2nlHcbEAq1hXV5~BJJte0QfmwjtlDv2BeUJeLE-YcxwFbPVmqVNyEjF-nbU6fm8xpkOT0W~igyZn4Jawyi956L50WpW6-3zAbJruc9wI9SExIClEHey1LRhIdD-jaTsPNsBr8wrxt-etDxN9DJ0NHD3S3GtPI2202ZBUSMc0s6ZhDHA5zo9~3fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County planning staff introduced Montco Forever Green on July 16, a new formal open‑space grant program that will provide county capital funds to preserve land in perpetuity across urban, suburban and rural parts of the county.

Bill Hartman, the county’s trails and open-space planning manager, told the Board of Commissioners the program will expand the county’s definition of open space to include small urban green parcels and community gardens in addition to larger tracts of natural land. \"Forever is a nod to the notion of perpetuity... and green, of course, talks about green spaces and open space,\" Hartman said during the presentation.

Key program elements announced include an initial capital allocation of approximately $2,000,000; grants up to $500,000; a reduced minimum match of 25% (down from the historical 1:1 requirement); and a rolling application process to allow responses to urgent, at‑risk parcels. Eligible applicants include all 62 Montgomery County municipalities and conservation nonprofits. The planning team said public access or stewardship arrangements will be required because these are public funds.

Hartman and staff said applications will be marketed to municipal managers and conservation partners, supported by a guidebook and a web page launching in the coming days. The program was presented earlier to the county Open Space Board (June 25) and the planning commission (July 9); staff said applications will be available beginning Sept. 1 and that the county will aim to provide initial feedback on applications within 10 business days.

Commissioners and attendees asked operational questions about who would ultimately own properties, how multiple funding sources would be blended, and whether municipalities routinely have open space reserves. Staff said ownership depends on the project — municipalities often own purchased land while land trusts can hold conservation easements — and that projects typically include multiple funding partners (municipal contributions, state sources, private donations and foundations) so county funds are rarely the sole source.

Commissioner Dulce (public speaker during Q&A) noted the county previously used a low match requirement to encourage broader participation; planning staff said the 25% minimum is intended to make projects feasible for municipalities without large budgets. Hartman said the county will monitor demand and calibrate the program after the initial round of awards.","Planning staff unveiled a formal, countywide open‑space grant program offering up to $500,000 per award and a minimum 25% match; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Sept. 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6549822,"Montgomery County commissioners propose raising county employee minimum wage to $20.52",3011,775000,3786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db&start=775&end=3786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5422814-bde0b172283e7d68a9f933ff66e7f1db/thumbnail_775000.jpg","/articles/6549822/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-commissioners-propose-raising-county-employee-minimum-wage-to-2052","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549822-3d951ece55582fd405efc824cbacf392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087034&Signature=Zr81QlzCbXhqMr3WWnRL8~gSIiKMV1mEA4Pr7z-mNvpX21jjCkDLhisRkE5m6g6wuL4lvQINJ4L~HIy0Y40oWJaEoyi4-hk43jOWc48cS-AnkQ-Kao4pR5VpFttaGKKn~AP8RcZOnt~FTyph45QOotElpOcVGFDxnesmF2UdfP-DpBj-UibL3PyitvE7gnhT691qgsttcknEQtNI3yRED9C0Zv1DV~iTEMWwf3mB8XQ~iD62CMfIGi20vUZBpw6C0Zml5ZCb4F3NeUD8HazCa6ZiGracsx2SgKIND-7gDsNgrygpOSrbfnzcUEgf-XzOv-LeWF8yWwvDPQX4I2gUAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County commissioners on July 16 announced a proposal to raise the county’s minimum wage for county employees from $16.00 an hour to $20.52 an hour. The increase, presented by the commissioners during public announcements, would apply to county employees across courts, the district attorney’s office, public health, parks, facilities and other county departments.

The commissioners framed the proposal as a response to inflation and local cost pressures. \"People working on behalf of the county's 868,000 residents deserve to be paid a wage that provides stability, safety,\" the presenting commissioner said, arguing the increase would bring county wages closer to a living wage and make Montgomery County \"the highest minimum wage of any county government in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.\" Commissioner Winder told the board, \"We're not just voting on a wage increase, we're showing what real leadership looks like.\"

County officials said funding for the proposed increase would come in part from savings identified by the Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance; the presentation cited about $2,500,000 in identified savings to offset the first-year cost. County staff also described the county workforce as roughly 3,000 employees with an average salary around $72,000 while noting the county cannot unilaterally change private-sector wages.

Commissioner concerns focused on the county’s budget outlook. One commissioner warned of a projected budget shortfall over $30,000,000 going into 2026 and said the $2,500,000 in savings was only a portion of the county’s financial challenge. That commissioner said county taxpayers have experienced large tax increases in recent years and urged continued work with the CFO and department heads to reduce expenses.

During public comment, employees and residents gave mixed reactions. A county staff member thanked the board for prioritizing front-line and support workers; other public commenters expressed concern about long-term impacts on county finances and potential indirect impacts for local businesses, though the proposal as described applies to county employment only, not private employers.

The meeting transcript records the announcement and discussion but does not record a formal motion or vote to adopt the wage change during the July 16 meeting. Commissioners said they would discuss further in the coming budget season and that some follow-up would be required to implement a change of this scope.","County commissioners presented a proposal to raise the minimum wage for Montgomery County employees from $16 to $20.52, funded partly from identified operational savings; the board discussed budgetary impacts but did not record a final vote in the meeting transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key actions by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on July 16, 2025

Montgomery County adopts HUD annual action plan; commissioners authorize CDBG, HOME and ESG spending

Montgomery County launches 'Montco Forever Green' open‑space grant program with $2 million initial funding

Montgomery County commissioners propose raising county employee minimum wage to $20.52