Bowie asks staff to draft relief plan for furloughed federal workers, with mayor proposing up to $1 million cap
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Summary
Mayor Adams asked staff to prepare a plan using up to $1,000,000 as a base to help furloughed or fired federal employees living in Bowie. Staff outlined existing limited city resources, partner programs, and prioritization options; council asked for a concrete proposal in the first week of November.
Bowie Mayor Tim Adams asked city staff on Oct. 25 to draft a relief plan to assist federal employees affected by a government shutdown, proposing a funding cap of up to $1,000,000 to be used as needed. Jesse Buggs, director of the grants office, outlined the city’s current assistance capacity, existing small funds, and partner programs that could be used to deliver housing, food, utility and childcare support.
Buggs told the council the city has experience distributing assistance during emergencies and recently received modest resources (roughly $10,000 from city funds and another $10,000 from the county, with an expected additional $42,500 grant award). He said Bowie has roughly 5,400 federal employees within its boundaries and that the city routinely provides emergency rental and food assistance; staff proposed using partner intake contractors to handle high volumes, plus prioritization rules based on urgency, household type and vulnerability.
Council members stressed the need to avoid duplicating existing state and credit‑union programs that already offer short‑term loans and utility forbearance. Several members emphasized focusing on essentials—food and water—and on mechanisms where city action produces outsized results (for example, targeted rental assistance that prevents eviction). Mayor Adams and councilmembers asked staff to return with a detailed plan (eligibility criteria, prioritization, intake process, partners and proposed budget) by the first week of November. City staff noted any appropriation would require a budget amendment and a supermajority vote.
Why it matters: Bowie has a significant population of federal employees; a prolonged shutdown can create immediate needs for housing, food, utilities and childcare. Council directed staff to design a targeted, partner‑driven program to respond quickly if needed.
Provenance (transcript excerpts): Mayor Adams’s request for a plan (transcript block starting ~5694.21). Grants director Jesse Buggs’s presentation and capacity summary (transcript blocks starting ~5733.07 and continuing through ~6634.84). Council direction to return with plan and timeline (transcript blocks starting ~8101.80 and ~8173.36).