Council confirms Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Commission amid complaints about Up‑County representation

The Montgomery County Council voted to confirm the county executive’s nominees to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Commission, a body that will recommend how the county spends funds stemming from state legalization and sale of cannabis. The motion to confirm passed with nine votes in favor and two abstentions.

Councilmember Marilyn Balcom announced she would abstain because, she said, the nominations lacked representation from the Up County and the northwest quadrant of the county. "While I cannot vote in favor of this slate, I will also not vote against any individual. Therefore, I will abstain," Balcom said on the council floor.

Balcom said she had examined appointment patterns after taking office and reviewed an Office of Legislative Oversight study showing the Up County has been underrepresented on county boards and commissions. She told colleagues that, despite outreach efforts, the current nominee list included nine nominees from Silver Spring and none from her district or the northwest quadrant.

Other council members acknowledged the representation concerns while emphasizing the urgency of appointing the commission. Council member Mink described the commission as "a use it or lose it situation," urging that funds be distributed quickly once the commission convenes. Council member Sales, a co‑sponsor of the enabling legislation, said the commission’s meetings will be open to the public and called for strong community participation. Council member Gewondo thanked applicants and said he would vote for the slate while urging future outreach to underrepresented areas.

Council Vice President Giordano moved the nomination confirmation; Council member Sayles seconded the motion. The clerk counted votes from those on the dais and two members attending virtually; the tally recorded nine yea votes and two abstentions (Council member Balcom and Council member Friesen), and the slate was confirmed.

The commission is required by state law as a condition for the county to receive its share of cannabis tax revenue, council members said, and the body must move quickly to allocate funds that are available to the county. Several council members asked the executive branch to improve outreach for future appointment cycles and to ensure that the commission’s membership and work reflect the county’s geographic and demographic diversity.

The confirmed slate and individual appointment names were included in the council packet; the council did not debate individual nominees on the floor during the confirmation vote.