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Montgomery County Council approves FY27 operating and capital budgets after series of block votes
Summary
After a sequence of block votes — including a 9–2 vote on one package — the Montgomery County Council approved the FY27 operating budget, FY27 capital budget and the FY27–36 Capital Improvement Program; Council President described the process as “very challenging.”
Council President Natalie von Gonzalez Hollins announced that the Montgomery County Council approved the FY27 operating budget, the FY27 capital budget and the FY27–36 Capital Improvement Program following a series of block votes and procedural disclosures.
The session opened with President von Gonzalez Hollins saying the budget process had been "very challenging" and "the most challenging since the Great Recession," and she thanked colleagues who worked on alternative proposals. She specifically recognized Councilmember Kristen Mink for offering “a path forward, including one that did not include the I-Tax.”
Before one of the block votes, Councilmember Friedson disclosed a potential conflict: "I serve on the board of Bethesda Green as a private member of the community. I'm recusing myself from considering or voting on Bethesda Green's contract," he said, referencing a contract listed in Section G of Resolution 10 that identifies non-competitive awards funded under the FY27 budget.
The Council approved several bundled sets of items. Councilmember Kate Stewart moved and Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe seconded approval of items 1–9 as a block; that package passed unanimously. A later block that included items 10–15 and item 21 passed 9–2 after Council Vice President Balcombe moved and Councilmember Sidney Katz seconded the motion. A final block covering items 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 was moved by Katz, seconded by Sales, and passed unanimously. With those votes the President declared the FY27 operating and capital budgets adopted.
President von Gonzalez Hollins clarified how a specific property tax credit works in the county budget debate: the so-called I-Tax is a credit available only to property owners who live in the property; tenants do not qualify, applicants must apply to receive it, and other property tax credits such as the homestead credit remain unchanged. She said funds freed by eliminating the I-Tax will be used for priorities including Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
The Council then approved the consent calendar unanimously on a motion by Vice President Balcombe and a second by Councilmember Will Jawando. Council recessed until June 8.
What happens next: several capital projects were introduced for separate hearings (see separate item). The formal record shows motions, seconds and the vote tallies reflected above; no ordinance numbers or detailed budget line-item totals were specified in the transcript.
