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Committee backs CUP fee increases after long pause; Council approves with one dissent
Summary
The County Executive proposed a multi‑year fee adjustment for Community Use of Public Facilities (CUP) to restore enterprise fund health; the Education & Culture committee recommended the FY26 increase and fee changes, and the Council approved the item 10‑1.
Montgomery County’s Community Use of Public Facilities (CUP) operating budget and fee structure were reviewed by the Education & Culture committee, which recommended approval of the County Executive’s FY26 proposal.
What staff proposed - The County Executive proposed a FY26 CUP operating budget increase of $12,192,169 (a roughly 6.6% increase over FY25), which would fund $4.4 million in personnel costs and $7.8 million in operating costs with no change to staffing levels. - The executive and CUP staff recommended fee adjustments informed by a 2024 CUP fee study. The first‑year increases proposed were a 10% fee increase for nonprofit county residents and before/after school childcare providers, and a 12.5% increase for commercial and out‑of‑county permit holders. Staff noted many fees had not been increased since February 2009, and the three‑year plan presented a phased return toward fund sustainability.
Discussion and MOU Committee members discussed operational challenges with the CUP reservation system and interagency coordination (Recreation, MCPS, Parking/Permits), and sought a clearer MOU with MCPS. Committee staff reported the long‑awaited MOU with Montgomery County Public Schools was finalized and in place, with a three‑year term and an option to renew for one year and amend by consent.
Outcome The Education & Culture committee recommended approval, and the Council vote recorded in the session was 10 in favor and 1 opposed. Committee members asked staff to continue monitoring complaints and streamline interagency processes that affect permit seekers.
