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Council places $700,000 WorkSource Montgomery supplemental on reconciliation list to assist displaced federal workers
Summary
The Council voted to add a $700,000 supplemental request for WorkSource Montgomery to the FY26 reconciliation list to fund a Federal Workforce Career Center (15 months of operating funding); the item was moved by Councilmember Freese and seconded by Councilmember Fannie Gonzalez and approved unanimously.
The Montgomery County Council agreed to place a $700,000 supplemental request from WorkSource Montgomery on the FY26 reconciliation list to support a proposed Federal Workforce Career Center and other program needs to assist displaced federal workers.
Anthony Featherstone, executive director of WorkSource Montgomery, told the Council the $700,000 proposal is intended to provide approximately 15 months of operating funding to expand services for displaced federal employees and contractors who need intensive, individualized assistance to translate public‑sector skills to private‑sector jobs. Featherstone said the agency’s FY24 economic impact study showed a 63% placement rate and an average wage of about $54,000 per placement and that WorkSource programs generate substantial annual wages for residents.
Staff also described two smaller replacement items: $100,000 for the Summer Rise program (staff estimated $500 per student, with the $100,000 covering about 200 stipends) and $50,000 to support an additional 0.5 FTE at the correctional facility (bringing coverage to 3 FTEs). Councilmembers emphasized urgency and the need to begin work in June; because the request arrived late in the budget process, Council President Stewart recommended placing the $700,000 on the reconciliation list for final consideration.
Councilmember Freese moved to place the $700,000 on the reconciliation list; Councilmember Fannie Gonzalez seconded. The motion passed by unanimous hand vote.
