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Council adds Hyattstown staffing reduction to reconciliation list; approves White Flint land purchase for senior housing
Summary
During FY26 budget work sessions the council placed a proposed reduction of staffing at the Hyattstown fire station on the reconciliation list and approved a technical amendment to pursue land purchase adjacent to White Flint Fire Station for possible senior housing co‑location.
The Montgomery County Council placed a proposed reduction in staffing at the Hyattstown fire station on the reconciliation list and, separately, approved moving forward with a county land purchase adjacent to the White Flint fire station for possible co‑located senior housing.
The Public Safety Committee had recommended adding a reduction that would take one apparatus (709) out of service at Hyattstown and redeploy three career firefighter positions and a paramedic in service elsewhere, with the chief retaining operational authority over detailed deployments. Chief Smedley told the council his reorganization plan is safety‑based and that he preferred to retain the positions as flexible resources rather than accept the reduction. He and staff also warned that staffing and overtime pressures are significant: fire & rescue faces a structural overtime deficit and the department is projected to request a supplemental appropriation in the coming months.
"If the council takes this reduction, we can't use those resources to put additional transport units in service elsewhere," Chief Smedley said. The committee placed the Hyattstown reduction on the reconciliation list after discussion; the chair noted the recommendation reflected both budget constraints and the department—s reallocation plans. The vote to take the reduction into reconciliation passed during the session.
On a separate matter, the council accepted a technical amendment to the FY26 capital program to facilitate purchase of land adjacent to the White Flint Fire Station for possible colocated senior affordable housing. OMB and fire officials said the ballpark property price is about $1.6 million and the department will evaluate service implications of colocating housing next to the station; the council approved the amendment by unanimous voice/hand vote.
Next steps: The Hyattstown staffing reduction remains on the reconciliation list for final budget decisions; fire leadership will continue planning and the council will weigh operational safety arguments against fiscal constraints. For White Flint, staff will proceed with the land‑purchase process through the CIP and present further details on impacts and resource needs as the acquisition and potential development proceed.
