New Community Authority approves community development charges, appoints finance director as 2024 report shows $430,410 fund balance

The New Community Authority voted to approve a resolution levying community development charges and to certify that resolution to Montgomery County, and it appointed Laura Perry as finance director and Pam Powell as secretary during its meeting. The authority also approved the 2024 annual financial report, which showed a Dec. 31 cash balance of $430,410.47 and projected 2025 debt service payments of $554,300.

The actions came with a series of routine procedural votes. The authority amended its minutes to reflect Jeanette Marcus as chairperson and Allen as vice chair, excused two absent members, and confirmed the staff appointments before taking the financial and certification votes.

The annual financial report presented to the authority included the year-end cash figure and the 2025 debt-service projection. The authority approved the report by voice and roll-call votes and then approved a resolution to levy community development charges; staff said the signed resolution will be certified to Montgomery County per the annual requirement.

The authority completed several personnel actions. Laura Perry was appointed to replace Don Buchek as finance director; the board also appointed Pam Powell as the authority’s secretary. Those appointments were made by motion and confirmed by roll call.

Members nominated and voted on leadership for 2025: Mayor Murphy was nominated and approved as chair of the New Community Authority for 2025, and Shirley Witt was nominated and approved as vice chair (with one recorded abstention on the vice-chair vote). The meeting included the standard roll calls for each formal action.

The meeting concluded after the certification vote and leadership appointments. The resolution to levy community development charges and the annual financial report are the formal items staff will forward for certification and any required follow-up with Montgomery County.