Prince George's County Council adopts FY26 budgets, restores litter program and public TV funding

Prince George's County Council on Thursday, May 29, adopted the county27s fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance and a set of related agency budgets, approving multiple resolutions and amendments after council members negotiated targeted restorations and technical fixes.

The council approved the county27s appropriation ordinance (CB56 2025) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, along with resolutions to adopt operating and capital budgets for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the Washington Suburban Transit Commission, the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George27s County, and the Prince George27s County portion of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The body also approved an amendment striking incorrect project language related to a Bowie development in the Redevelopment Authority materials and agreed on a pause for administrative action on the Bowie project until a new county executive takes office.

Why it matters: Council leaders said the budget preserves core services without raising property taxes, restores programs that had faced cuts during negotiations, and directs county money toward public health, litter removal, community television, and targeted public-safety and reentry services. Chair Burrows framed the package as “a reflection of our values and priorities” and detailed specific restorations the council won during its deliberations.

Most important votes and outcomes

- CB56 2025 (County appropriation ordinance, FY26): Motion to enact moved by Vice Chair Rivera, seconded by Councilmember Blagay; motion carried 9 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention. This ordinance adopts the county27s current expense budget, capital improvement program, and related appropriations for FY26 (07/01/20252006/30/2026).

- CR61 2025 (WSSC FY26 operating/capital and recommended rates): Moved by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Hawkins; adopted (motion carries 8 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- CR62 2025 (WSSC FY26-FY31 capital improvement program and FY26 capital budget): Moved by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Watson; adopted (motion carries 9 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- CR63 2025 (Washington Suburban Transit Commission FY26 budget): Moved by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Watson; adopted (motion carries 9 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- CR65 2025 (Redevelopment Authority FY26-FY31 operating and capital program): Moved by Vice Chair Rivera, seconded by Councilmember Watson; adopted (motion carries 9 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- CR66 2025 (modifying system development charge procedures for WSSC): Introduced and, after suspending rules, moved by Councilmember Watson and seconded by Councilmember Hawkins; adopted (motion carries 9 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- CB55 2025 (Prince George's County portion of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission budget): Moved by Vice Chair Rivera, seconded by Councilmember Watson; adopted (final recorded result 8 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions after one member changed an earlier abstention to a yes vote).

Amendments and a Bowie project clarification

During consideration of the Redevelopment Authority materials the council accepted an amendment to strike two passages in an attachment that incorrectly tied an award to a Creative Suitland development and referenced Bowie State. The amendment was offered to correct the record and passed (motion carries 8 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions).

Administration staff advised the council that “it takes about 2 or 3 months for that development agreement to go into place,” and confirmed there would be no administrative action on the Bowie project until a new county executive is in office. Ms. Skinner, speaking for the administration, made that timing statement to the council on the record.

What the council said it restored or funded

Chair Burrows and multiple council members described several restorations and targeted additions the council secured while negotiating the FY26 package. Items mentioned on the record include:

- Restoring $800,000 to the county27s litter-removal program. - Restoring nearly $1,000,000 for the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) and creating regional DPIE liaisons to work with council offices, community leaders, and homeowners associations. - Eliminating a 30-day hiring delay for first responders so recruits can be hired more quickly. - Supplementing lost grant funding to expand HIV/STD services in the southern part of the county. - Funding for a Black Maternal Health Fund created by council resolution. - Funding to start a process for handling HOA disputes outside of court. - Adding mental health resources to the sheriff27s office and restoring other public-safety programs including the labor-trafficking unit. - Restoring funding for community television (CTV) and preserving the program after extended testimony. - Increasing the Health Assurance program by $1,000,000 (as described on the record). - Allocating funds for bus shelters and expanding shelter installations, and restoring a rain-check rebate program.

Direct quotes and context

Chair Burrows summarized the council27s approach: “Our budget adoption today marks an important milestone. It's not just a conclusion of the council's budget process, but a reflection of our values and priorities as we shape the future of Prince George's County.”

On the Bowie project timing, administration staff said, “it takes about 2 or 3 months for that development agreement to go into place, so there will be no action by whoever the awardee is for this project” until a new county executive assumes office (Ms. Skinner, administration).

Meeting context and next steps

Council members delivered brief remarks after the votes praising bipartisan and cross-district work on the package. After adopting the budgets and amendments, the council voted to convene an executive session to discuss administrative staffing, then adjourned.

Provenance (transcript excerpts supporting this article)

- Topic intro: "This is May 20 ninth, designated legislative day 14. Adoption of WSSC, WSTC, revenue authority, redevelopment authority budgets, and we'll take them 1 at a time." (transcript block starting at 477.145; excerpt used to introduce agency budget votes; reason_code: topicintro)

- Topic excerpt (CB56 enactment): "...concerning fiscal year 26 appropriations for the purpose of making appropriations for the support of county government... beginning 07/01/2026, ending 06/30/2027... adopting the current expense budget, the capital improvement program, and the capital budget..." (transcript block starting at 875.675; reason_code: topicintro)

- Amendment prose: "So I'm gonna move an amendment to strike... the second bullet that says awarded the Creative Suitland Development, that's what needs to be stricken." (transcript block starting at 1421.715; reason_code: topicintro)

- Administration timing on Bowie project: "It takes about 2 or 3 months for that development agreement to go into place, so there will be no action by whoever the awardee is for this project." (transcript block starting at 1306.435; reason_code: topicintro)

- Final votes and adjournment: "Motion carries 10. Is there a motion to adjourn? ... All those in favor, please say aye. We are adjourned." (transcript block starting at 3304.1848; reason_code: topfinish)

sections":{"lede":"Prince George's County Council on May 29 adopted the county27s fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance and a package of related agency budgets after negotiating targeted restorations to programs including litter removal, community television, and public-safety resources.","nut_graf":"The council approved CB56 (the county appropriation ordinance for FY26) and multiple resolutions for county agencies and authorities, while also accepting an amendment to remove incorrect project language in the Redevelopment Authority materials and recording that administrative action on a Bowie project will be paused until a new county executive takes office. Council leaders said the package avoids a property tax increase and preserves core services.","ending":"After adopting the budgets and amendments, the council recessed to an executive session on administrative staffing and adjourned. Implementation details and vendor or project awards cited in attachments will be subject to the timing and review noted on the record by administration staff."},