Public comment at the Montgomery County proposed 2026 budget hearing on Dec. 4 featured praise for investments in law enforcement and libraries, detailed service statistics from the library director, and sharply worded criticism from a resident about rising taxes and county spending.

Sean Kilkane, identifying himself as Montgomery County sheriff, thanked the commissioners and staff for budget support for the sheriff's office, highlighting two new corporal positions, reinforced rifle threat plates for the warrants division, replacement of aging vehicles, tasers and an expansion of body-worn cameras. "We were the first sheriff's office in the Commonwealth to use body worn cameras," Kilkane said, and he added that such footage has "95% of the time" vindicated deputies when complaints were filed.

Karen D'Angelo, who identified herself as executive director of the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library (district center), thanked the commissioners for support that helps a system she said serves 865,000 residents across 34 locations, five delivery vans and three bookmobiles. D'Angelo listed recent activities and metrics — about 3,188 programs last year with more than 37,000 participants and nearly 1,000,000 items checked out — and outlined a renovation plan with a temporary location at 1700 Markley Street.

By contrast, Michelle Engarto of Lower Salford Township criticized what she described as recurring tax increases and rising county spending. Engarto said spending rose $215,000,000 since 2019 and presented an analysis she said predicts an average annual increase of $28,000,000 going forward; she said cumulative tax increases over five years totaled 43% (14% after adjusting for inflation and population). She also highlighted specific cost items, saying wages and benefits rose by $33,000,000 in 2025 and that a DEI staff costs about $650,000 annually; she urged the commissioners to pursue independent audits after a Philadelphia Inquirer article alleging wrongdoing by a county CIO.

The session concluded with closing remarks from a commissioner thanking participants for engaging in the budget process. A motion to adjourn the hearing was made and seconded, but the transcript does not record the final vote or formal outcome.

Speakers at the hearing combined gratitude for county investments with demands for fiscal accountability and contingency planning for potential federal funding shocks.