Council committee again recommends not funding Office of the People's Counsel in FY26

Council staff told the committee that the County Executive recommended $261,783 to fund an Office of the People’s Counsel. Council members reviewed the item in prior fiscal years (FY23–FY25) and the committee again recommended against funding the office in FY26 given current budget constraints and because staff said no Office employee is in place to complete required reporting for the operating budget equity tool.

Council Member Fanny Gonzalez said she opposed funding the office and preferred not to put it on the reconciliation list. Vice President (name given as Joanna in the transcript) said she would support funding the office this year, noting that residents need help navigating zoning and related land‑use questions. The chair indicated she had previously pursued legislative language (Bill 18‑23) that would define and limit the office’s role; she said that if the Council wanted to revive that bill, funding at a lower level tied to the bill would be acceptable to her.

After discussion the committee recorded a 2–1 recommendation to remove the funding from the recommended operating budget. The committee report will note that one committee member prefers an alternative: funding at the level contained in Bill 18‑23 (the chair’s earlier proposal) if the Council chooses to pursue that legislative path.

Why it matters: The Office of the People’s Counsel has been debated repeatedly. Supporters say residents need an independent, navigable resource for planning and zoning matters; opponents say the County should only fund the position once the office’s scope and protections are specified in ordinance or legislation.