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Council completes operating budget reconciliation; funds schools, homelessness services and free transit in straw vote
Summary
Montgomery County Council took unanimous straw votes May 15 on a reconciled FY26 operating budget that maintains roughly 11.2% reserves, provides 99.8% of MCPS's request, boosts homelessness and behavioral health funding, and makes Ride On bus service free; final budget resolutions are scheduled for May 22.
Montgomery County Council on May 15 approved a reconciled FY26 operating budget in a unanimous hand (straw) vote and instructed staff to prepare formal resolutions for a final vote on May 22.
Executive Director Craig Howard told the council the reconciliation reflects a net reduction of just over $40,000,000 in tax-supported resources compared with the executive's March proposal, principally because the council rejected proposed property and income tax increases. Howard said staff's reconciliation list included $44,450,000 in reductions the council had made and $11,040,000 in proposed additions; the combined result produced a tax-supported operating budget the presentation listed as $6,610,000,000 while preserving reserves of about 11.2%.
Council leaders and committee chairs summarized policy priorities and programmatic changes that the reconciliation preserves or adds. Council President Kate Stewart said the council worked to protect schools and social supports without raising taxes and noted the council funded 99.8% of Montgomery County Public Schools' request. "We didn't turn anyone away from any public hearing, and we listened to the views of over 300 residents," Stewart said.
Stewart and other members described major allocations in the reconciliation: about $62,000,000 for homelessness prevention and services; more than $200,000,000 for services supporting children, youth and families; $66,000,000 for behavioral health and crisis services; $1,200,000 for a nonprofit security grant program; and funding to expand emergency-management and first-responder capabilities. Council Member Katz highlighted expansion of the drone-as-first-responder program (deployed more than 2,000 times since 2023) and a Speed on Green enforcement pilot to target dangerous intersections.
Several council members emphasized workforce and economic supports for residents affected by federal job losses, including new funding for WorkSource Montgomery to assist displaced federal workers. Council Member Friedson noted nearly $130,000,000 committed to the Housing Initiative Fund and the restoration of about $1,150,000 for the Montgomery County Green Bank. Council Member Mink said the budget also includes positions and funds needed to implement the recently passed tenant-protection bill (bill 6-25).
The hand vote recorded on May 15 was unanimous; staff will prepare final budget resolutions for formal council action on May 22.
