Prince George’s County Council hears FY26 legislative branch budget; no formal vote

Prince George’s County Council committee of the whole received a presentation Feb. 25 on the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget for the council’s legislative branch, with Council Administrator Jennifer Jenkins asking members to support a roughly $28.9 million spending plan but no formal vote taken.

Jenkins said the county’s FY25 approved general fund operating budget totaled $4,580,000,000 and that the legislative branch’s share is less than 1 percent of that total. “We were asked this year to make a 5% cut to our legislative branch budget. And after several weeks of of trying, I just couldn't get us there,” Jenkins said.

The proposed FY26 legislative branch operating budget represents a $193,200 increase from the current year, bringing the total to about $28,900,000, Jenkins said. She attributed the increase primarily to higher charges from the Office of Information Technology and additional payments to OCS largely for vehicle maintenance. Jenkins said those two items total approximately $166,000, and that an increase to recovery from audit fees of $26,700 explains the remainder of the $193,200 rise.

Jenkins warned that critical technology needs also limit the branch’s ability to cut further. “One of our switches alone costs approximately $250,000 and we have one that is going bad now and is in great need of replacement,” she said, citing ongoing audiovisual and infrastructure problems that would disrupt operations if delayed.

The presentation outlined other line items: the FY26 compensation pool remains level at $17,500,000 compared with FY25; the council administration covers fringe benefits proposed to remain at $4,900,000; recovery costs are expected to remain flat at $1,200,000; and council member discretionary budgets were left unchanged. Jenkins said the branch currently has 66 active employees of an authorized complement of 189.

She also noted budgeted reserves for contracts and contingencies, including roughly $500,000 reserved for legal services and an emergency fund, and an administrative grants program remaining at $750,000. Jenkins told the committee she had made allowances for consultant and legal services contracts that may increase or be reduced depending on need.

No formal motion to adopt or amend the legislative branch budget was taken during the session. At the end of the presentation Jenkins said, “I'm asking that you support this budget,” but the committee did not vote on the proposal. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn was made and approved by voice/hand raise.

The finance director, Inez Claggett, joined the meeting virtually; Jenkins said Claggett was recuperating from pneumonia but on the call. Council Member Harrison was noted as absent on county travel.

Absent further scheduling or a formal vote recorded at the session, the presentation stands as the formal briefing for the FY26 legislative branch request; next procedural steps or a date for consideration of approval were not specified in the transcript.