Gaithersburg mayor backs $11.6 million transportation appropriation as long-running negotiation closes

The County Council held a Sept. 30 public hearing on a proposed capital supplemental appropriation of $11,600,000 (approx.) for Gaithersburg transportation improvements, funded by impact tax revenues. Gaithersburg Mayor Judd Ashman spoke in support of the resolution and described the appropriation as the culmination of more than a decade of negotiations to release funds that were previously constrained by intergovernmental conditions.

“This resolution before you represents the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of negotiation, to free up money that’s been sitting in an account and could not be spent without the consent of both the county and the city,” Ashman said. He thanked Council member Katz and County Executive Mark Elrich for their roles in the negotiations and asked the council to approve the appropriation so the funds can be used for critical projects in Gaithersburg and the county.

The council’s published materials list the item as an amendment to the FY25–30 Capital Improvement Program and a supplemental appropriation (26-18) to the FY2026 capital budget for Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation, Gaithersburg Transportation Improvements; the source of funds is impact tax funds. A Transportation and Environment Committee work session was noted as forthcoming. No formal council vote on the appropriation was recorded at the hearing.

Ashman also expressed Gaithersburg’s support for the Clarksburg–Montgomery Village corridor study and thanked local stakeholders who participated in the negotiation. The public hearing record will remain available for the council’s consideration as staff and committees complete follow-up work.