The Prince George’s County Council voted to confirm Samuel B. Moki as director of the county Department of the Environment on Oct. 21, 2025, following a lengthy public hearing in which dozens of residents, environmental advocates and agency staff testified for and against his appointment.

Moki, who served as acting director since June 2025, thanked the county executive for the nomination and described his record leading cost-saving and operational reforms. During the hearing, county executive Ayesha Braveboy said Moki had produced “$31,000,000 in cost savings for stormwater management projects,” directed $2,000,000 in capital improvements to animal services, and launched tree-planting, customer-service and climate initiatives including a planned county climate summit in November 2025.

The nomination prompted vocal opposition from residents and environmental groups who recalled Moki’s 2014 termination from the county’s environmental department for “gross negligence,” an action that opponents said was later sustained by personnel and appellate processes. Opponents — including speakers who identified themselves as members of local conservation groups — urged the council to delay confirmation and seek a broader search, saying Moki’s prior dismissal and the fines associated with the stormwater program raised questions about his stewardship of large environmental programs.

Supporters — including former colleagues, current department staff, municipal leaders and civic groups — described improvements in morale and responsiveness since Moki became acting director. Several county employees and local nonprofit leaders credited him with rapid fixes to a backlog of service requests, improved coordination on tree planting and stormwater project design, and the launch of an organics composting initiative.

Council members said they weighed the competing claims in public testimony and committee records. The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (TIE) committee reported on Oct. 9 that it had discussed Moki’s record and voted to advance the appointment out of committee. At the full council hearing, members asked about stormwater program management, the prior personnel decision, and how the department would handle future capital projects and community outreach.

Council members who spoke in favor said they had seen improvements while he served as acting director and cited the department’s recent fiscal and operational results. Members who opposed the nomination referenced the 2014 firing and called for greater documentation about decisions made during that period. Several council members said they received a high volume of constituent emails both supporting and opposing the appointment.

After deliberation the council confirmed Moki by a supermajority. The council did not adopt a motion to extend his acting status instead of confirming him permanently; it confirmed the nominee to the permanent post.

The confirmation does not end calls for oversight. Several community speakers and environmental groups said they will continue to monitor the Department of the Environment’s project performance and compliance with state water quality requirements.

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Votes at a glance:
- Motion to confirm Samuel B. Moki as Director of the Department of the Environment: Moved by Councilmember Hawkins; seconded by Councilmember Harrison. Outcome: confirmed by the Prince George’s County Council (supermajority).