Treasurer reports $500,000 surplus; public speakers press for CD transparency and local police/shuttle service

The Friendship Heights Village treasurer reported June 9 that village finances are in strong shape, with an approximate $500,000 surplus through May and reserves increased after a $1 million payment related to a development‑rights sale.

John Conlow, identified by the meeting as the treasurer and finance committee chair, said the surplus—equal to about 18% of the annual budget through the eleventh month—reflects higher income tax receipts compared with the same period a year earlier and underspending across several departments. He reported income tax receipts “up $3,357,000 from the same period a year ago,” noted a May gain of approximately $177,000 toward the surplus, and said reserves increased by about $1,200,000 from the prior month, reflecting a $1,000,000 payment from Donahoe for the purchase of development rights at 5500 Wisconsin and the May surplus.

The treasurer addressed a public concern about a certificate of deposit (CD) that matured May 7. The mayor (speaking during the meeting) said the village has no policy requiring notification prior to routine rollovers, and that he and the town’s accredited CD investment adviser collaborated to select a fully insured rollover CD; the funds were returned to the account on May 7 and the village acquired a fully insured rollover CD on May 8. The mayor said the village attorney reviewed the required signature form on two occasions and concluded the paperwork was adequate and could be signed. He also said only the village manager is authorized to respond to document requests.

Several public commenters raised transparency concerns. Mike Dorsey, a resident who identified himself and his address, criticized the council’s recent formation and election results in partisan terms and advocated for the institutional knowledge of a longtime council member. Bobby Pestronk, another resident, asked why the CD authorization form had been handled in closed session and said the form contained errors; he urged that authorizing forms be corrected or that alternative brokers or the Maryland local government investment pool be used. Pestronk also advocated bringing back off‑duty Montgomery County police officers for village streets and suggested adding a weekly shuttle stop at the Montgomery County Library on Massachusetts Avenue and Westbard Avenue.

Council discussion reflected differing views on the need for advance notification before routine CD rollovers. One council member said reinvestments are handled promptly by the treasurer and are governed by the village’s investment policy, which requires insured investments and provides permissible instruments; another council member suggested the treasurer provide a heads‑up and advice before CDs come due so the council is aware of the planned action but did not propose halting reinvestments.

No formal policy change or municipal vote to alter CD procedures was taken at the meeting. Council members agreed to the treasurer’s monthly reporting and expressed intent to maintain existing investment policy requirements (insured investments), while some asked for more routine communication in advance of significant reinvestment decisions.