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DGS budget review: porter service cuts, apprenticeship expansion and state grant for Takoma Park car wash
Summary
The committee reviewed the Department of General Services' FY27 budget, discussed a $625,000 cut to porter services that will reduce event‑day cleanup, endorsed a six‑apprentice paid training expansion to address skilled‑labor shortages, and recommended forwarding a $200,000 state grant for the Takoma Park Nguyen Car Wash.
The committee examined two DGS items: operating budget changes and a CIP supplemental appropriation connected to a $200,000 state revitalization grant for Nguyen Car Wash in Takoma Park. Mr. Mia (council staff) summarized the package and staff recommended forwarding both the operating budget and the CIP amendment to full council.
David Dice, Director of the Department of General Services, explained the proposed $625,000 reduction labeled as a cut to "porter services" rather than daily custodial functions. "This is not that," Dice said, distinguishing daily custodial work from porter‑level event cleanup; he added that the extra event‑cleanup tasks would instead be handled the next day through regular custodial schedules or by paying overtime under contract.
Deputy Director Gregory Boykin described practical impacts: high‑traffic community facilities, libraries and recreation centers may see events leave furniture and trash in place until the next day, which he said could make spaces look messy and, in some cases, draw pests. Councilmembers asked whether contracts could be modified to allow selective cleanup for sanitary risks and whether event hosts could be required to clean up; staff said modifications may be event‑specific.
DGS also presented a proposed apprenticeship program (6 paid apprentices for trades: 2 plumbers, 2 electricians, 2 HVAC technicians) with $274,000 and six FTEs shown as an enhancement to be placed on the reconciliation list. DGS staff said the apprenticeship is state‑certified, would produce journeyman‑level credentials and make the county eligible for grant funding to support the training.
On the Takoma Park car wash supplemental, staff said the work is complete but administrative steps (state agreements, county‑to‑state grant agreements and Board of Public Works approvals) remain before the business receives funds; the committee recommended forwarding the CIP appropriation to full council.
The committee recommended forwarding the DGS budget items to full council and requested more detail on the reconciliation entries.
