Committee approves Montgomery College CIP amendments, defers $5 million for East County campus planning

On March 20, the Montgomery County Council Education and Culture Committee approved amended FY2026 capital budget requests and changes to Montgomery College’s FY2025–2030 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), adding $12,400,000 in local funding over the six-year window and approving a series of project-specific adjustments.

Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Williams told the committee the college is serving more than 45,000 students and has seen recent enrollment gains. "We are the community's college," Williams said, noting the institution’s $1,400,000,000 annual economic impact and the role of campus facilities in workforce training.

The committee — with the County Executive’s recommendations noted in the packet and council staff concurrence — approved individual line-item changes to the college CIP. Senior legislative analyst Doug Prouty said the college submitted an amended CIP that adds $12,400,000 over the six-year program; the County Executive concurs with the request.

Key changes approved include: a $3,000,000 increase to capital renewal for FY2026 to address building systems and code updates; an $864,000 FY2026 addition for renovations to the Leonard…