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Council hears sobering FY26 budget outlook as residents urge protection of social‑service and nonprofit funding
Summary
Council staff and OMB presented the executive's FY26 budget — a $7.66 billion proposal that includes a recommended 3.5¢ supplemental property tax for MCPS and an increase to the income tax offset credit — while dozens of public commenters appealed to the council to preserve funding for nonprofits, schools, parks and safety‑net services amid federal and state uncertainties.
Montgomery County officials and staff presented the executive's recommended FY26 operating budget on April 8 and the council opened an extended public‑comment period in the afternoon, receiving testimony from dozens of nonprofits, residents and business leaders.
The executive’s proposed tax‑supported operating budget totals about $7.66 billion, a 7.4 percent increase over FY25. Major items include a recommended 3.5‑cent supplemental property tax increase to support Montgomery County Public Schools, an increase to the income tax offset credit and a large local contribution to MCPS (roughly $3.6 billion). Staff told the council the recommended budget relies in part on $115.6 million of reserves this year and that structural pressures may yield a roughly $57 million gap entering FY27 if current assumptions hold.
Central staff and Finance emphasized several uncertainties: federal funding that currently supports programs in the…
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