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Council places $700,000 WorkSource Montgomery request on reconciliation list; approves related FY26 replacements
Summary
The Montgomery County Council approved two FY26 replacements for WorkSource Montgomery — $100,000 for Summer Rise stipends and $50,000 to support correctional‑facility staff — and unanimously placed a $700,000 enhancement on the FY26 reconciliation list for later consideration.
The Montgomery County Council approved two FY26 funding replacements for WorkSource Montgomery and agreed to place a $700,000 enhancement on the reconciliation list for further consideration.
Council accepted committee recommendations to replace two lost federal funding lines: $100,000 to sustain the Summer Rise student stipends (staff noted a $500 stipend per student and that $100,000 would cover approximately 200 students) and $50,000 to support an additional half‑time position at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (bringing total coverage to three FTEs at the facility). The economic development committee recommended those items and the full council approved them by unanimous hand vote.
Separately, WorkSource Montgomery requested a $700,000 supplemental enhancement to support a Federal Workforce Career Center initiative and to provide 15 months of operating funding for expanded services targeted at displaced federal workers and contractors. The council vote placed that $700,000 request on the reconciliation list (an addition to the reconciliation packet) so it can be considered during final budget reconciliation. Council members and county staff emphasized the timing: the proposal was submitted late in the process and moving it into the FY26 reconciliation list lets the council consider the item during the budget adoption process.
WorkSource Montgomery executive director Anthony Featherstone described program outcomes and the need for deeper, intensive services for recently displaced federal employees and contractors who require assistance translating public‑sector experience to private‑sector roles. He also highlighted ongoing youth and sector programs: staff said the county’s career advising and sector connector programs have served thousands of residents and cited a 63% placement rate and an average placement wage of about $54,000 in a county economic impact study covering FY24.
Council members thanked WorkSource Montgomery staff and emphasized urgency for mobilization. Council member Fanny Gonzalez stated the committee strongly supports the request and urged the council to consider the $700,000 addition given the immediate need to assist displaced federal workers. The motion to place the $700,000 on the reconciliation list was moved by Council member Frishick and seconded by Council member Fanny Gonzalez; the motion carried by unanimous vote.
