Elrich: council removed $692 homeowner credit, schools face $36M shortfall

County Executive Marc Elrich used the weekly briefing to criticize the county council’s changes to the FY27 budget and to warn of potential staffing cuts in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Elrich said the council voted to remove an annual $692 homeowner tax credit that had previously reduced property tax bills. "The majority, led by the president, voted to remove the tax credit and it will not be on your tax bill on July 1. That means your property taxes will go up by $692," he said, calling the change a tax increase.

On schools, Elrich said the council did not fully address the district’s requested funding and that Montgomery County Public Schools are searching for $36 million in savings. He outlined proposed reductions under consideration by the Board of Education that he said could eliminate "hundreds of employees," including 40 social workers, 18 school psychologists, 17 counselors for English learners and $1.6 million in mental health contracts.

Elrich urged the public to weigh the downstream costs of reducing student mental‑health and behavioral supports and to use public comment opportunities at Board of Education meetings to communicate concerns. "I’m calling for MCPS leadership and the Board of Education to carefully weigh the downstream costs of reducing student mental health and the behavioral supports at this particular moment," he said.

Elrich framed these staffing items as core student supports rather than ancillary services and said cuts would shift burdens onto teachers, families and students. He encouraged parents and residents to engage with decision makers as the budget process proceeds.

The briefing transcript records Elrich’s characterization of the council’s action and the school funding shortfall; the council or Board of Education responses were not included in the briefing.