At a Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 9, 2025, a county commissioner said the county has advanced $33,000,000 to keep county services operating while the state budget remains unsettled.

"We have spent $33,000,000 thus far to keep our operations running, and to cover the state's bills," the county commissioner said during opening remarks to the board. The speaker said county courts, emergency services and other programs continue to operate "for the most part" despite the federal government shutdown and absence of a state budget.

The speaker told residents that the county’s substantial fund balance and a triple-A bond rating have allowed it to front those costs. "We are 1 of 54 counties triple a bond rating recognizing our fiscal responsibility," the commissioner said. But the official warned this is not sustainable: the county has lost approximately $110,000 in interest income relative to what it would have earned had the fund balance been invested normally.

The commissioner urged residents to contact state legislators, particularly the state Senate, to press for passage of a budget. "But we can't keep spending forever without getting the funds that are needed, from the state," the speaker said.

Context and next steps: Commissioners noted the county must continue providing services — courts, public safety, child and elder supports — while monitoring how long reserves can be used. The board did not take a formal vote on new budget actions at the meeting; the remarks were presented as an informational update ahead of ongoing fiscal planning.

County officials said they will continue to track the financial impact of the impasse and to report to the public if additional budgetary actions or requests to the state become necessary. Residents were urged to follow up with their state legislators.