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Council backs T&E recommendation of a 6% WSSC FY27 spending-control limit
Summary
The Council accepted the Transportation & Environment Committee's guidance to set WSSC's FY27 spending-control limit at 6%, balancing infrastructure needs and rate affordability; Prince George's County had approved 5% the same day. Members said the limit guides WSSC budget planning but does not preclude negotiation at later budget stages.
The Montgomery County Council signaled support Oct. 28 for the Transportation & Environment Committee's recommendation that Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission FY27 spending-control guidance be set at 6%.
Chair Glass reported the T&E committee had reviewed WSSC budgets and that the committee's 6% guidance reflected a balance between infrastructure needs and rate-affordability concerns. WSSC General Manager David Powell described budgetary drivers including increased funding for customer-assistance programs, regional sewage costs, and investments to maintain system reliability, while noting WSSC identified savings that reduced earlier projected increases.
Several councilmembers voiced support for the committee recommendation and urged regional coordination; Councilmember Balcom and others cautioned against undercutting critical capital work. The chair suggested aligning with Prince George's when possible, but noted Prince George's had passed a 5% guidance earlier that day; the councils will continue negotiations, and spending-control limits provide guidance rather than final authority.
The council recorded a vote consistent with the committee recommendation (majority in favor, with one recorded opposition reported in the record).
Ending: The 6% guidance will inform WSSC's preliminary budget process; councils will continue deliberations as WSSC transmits a formal budget in January and again in March, with final approvals in the spring.
