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Council trims community garden funding and advances multiple HHS items as federal supports shift
Summary
During a lengthy HHS work session, council members and DHHS staff described federal disruptions to food programs, approved a $100,000 reduction to the county community gardening grant, and advanced several public‑health budget items — including increases in Montgomery Cares encounter rates and additions to clinic capacity and staffing.
The Montgomery County Council spent a large portion of its May 8 work session on Health and Human Services priorities, hearing from agency staff about rising costs for food assistance and a host of proposed program adjustments for FY26.
Director Breskin (introduced to the council as director of the Office of Food System Resilience) told members federal supports had been disrupted and that local partners are seeing higher costs. "We know that the Meals on Wheels ... that were coming to them for distribution in our community, have been canceled," she said, adding the County’s providers reported a 40% increase in costs of sourcing food and that 85% of the office’s program budget is dedicated to buying food.
Given constrained local resources, the HHS committee recommended a $100,000 reduction to the community gardening grant program (the line was originally $200,000, intended to assist 5–10 organizations). Committee staff said the cut was timed to align the grant cycle with planting seasons and that it was not expected to affect current grantees.
"These programs are a great example of a relatively modest investment," Director Breskin said, while council members including Giwanda and Mink stressed the program’s value for resilience and student‑focused services.
The council took a hand vote and approved the committee recommendation on the community garden reduction unanimously.
Public health and county clinic items: staff and the HHS committee also reviewed a set of primary‑care and clinic items. The Montgomery Cares network would receive a reimbursement rate increase and a rise in budgeted encounters (staff said the per‑encounter reimbursement would move from $102.15 to $113.36 and that the budgeted encounters would increase from 72,000 to 78,000 to reflect a new clinic in Gaithersburg). A committee vote on the reimbursement rate carried 2–1. Chair Albanese and Council Member Lukey urged careful phasing and recommended tranches if additional adjustments become necessary.
HIV, STI and dental services: DHHS staff asked for continued funding to maintain HIV, hepatitis and STI clinic staffing amid grant reductions; staff said without county funding they would likely have to close services at the new Germantown clinic and reduce clinic days. Dr. Ashford, representing public health, warned of rising STI rates and urged continued outreach and education alongside clinical services.
Why it matters: County staff framed the adjustments as responses to rapid changes at the federal level and to local increases in demand and supplier costs. Several members stressed the county’s limited authority to replace federal programs but emphasized the council’s willingness to prioritize local funding to keep critical services operational.
What’s next: Several items were placed on reconciliation or approved by committee; final funding outcomes will be determined during the council’s reconciliation process and subsequent votes.
