Hundreds testify as Montgomery County holds final FY26 operating budget public hearing; calls to protect nonprofits, schools and food aid
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Summary
At the final public hearing on the FY26 operating budget, nonprofit leaders, service providers and residents pressed the council to restore or increase funding for economic development, food assistance, homelessness prevention, MCPS and community grants; concerns included proposed tax and fee increases and consolidation of a dedicated MVMA grant.
Dozens of nonprofit leaders, program participants and residents urged Montgomery County Council members to protect and expand funding in the FY26 operating budget, emphasizing services for food‑insecure families, youth workforce programs and safety‑net nonprofits.
Elana Fine, chair of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation board, asked the council to restore a $6.2 million budget for MCEDC, saying underfunding would hamper business retention and workforce initiatives. Craig Rice of Manna Food Center described rising demand and said the county executive's recommended funding "will allow us to continue these vital services supporting roughly around 10,000 individuals per month," but he urged a larger commitment to meet growing needs.
Speakers representing homeless services, youth workforce and behavioral health emphasized prevention and wraparound supports: Donna Bridal described one‑on‑one employment supports used to move people into work, and Liz Krueger (Interfaith Works) urged more prevention investment, saying shelters are a necessary crisis response but insufficient as a long‑term solution.
Hoang Dang, a board member of the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, told the council MVMA's dedicated DHHS grant of $89,840 is slated for consolidation into the county's Healthy Communities funds administered by the Asian American Health Initiative and asked that the $89,840 be restored under Children, Youth and Family Services to preserve language‑specific services.
Other presenters urged funding for Montgomery College programs, parks and watershed work: Win Lei (Rock Creek Conservancy) supported the Department of Environmental Protection's watershed restoration budget, recommended raising the water quality protection charge to $147 per ERU, and asked the council to remove the tier 7 cap to better address impervious cover and stormwater needs. Speakers from LAYC, Crittenton Services and Community REACH recounted client outcomes and asked the council to maintain baseline grants and a 3% COLA for nonprofit contracts.
The council reported more than 230 people provided testimony during the budget hearings. Committee work sessions on components of the budget are ongoing and full council budget work sessions are scheduled to begin May 5, 2025.
What happens next: council committees and full council sessions will review budget lines, hear staff and stakeholder briefings, and consider amendments before final adoption.
