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Montgomery College asks county for $6.3M over maintenance of effort, flags IT and enrollment needs
Summary
Montgomery College leaders asked the committee to support $6.3 million above maintenance of effort for FY27 operating needs and $3.6 million in capital IT funding, citing 23% enrollment growth over five years and rising technology, cybersecurity and ERP subscription costs.
Montgomery College told the Education Culture Committee it is seeking a county contribution of $155,060,000 for FY27, about $6.3 million above the maintenance‑of‑effort level included in the college’s FY27 request. In a packet overview, the college reported a requested operating increase of $4,642,715 (1.3%) and projected tuition revenue growth of 7.3% tied to modest tuition increases.
"We are asking now... to request our $6,300,000 above maintenance of effort for FY '27," Dr. Williams said, stressing the request supports enrollment growth and affordability efforts. He noted the college’s enrollment had risen about 23% over the past five years and highlighted that roughly one in four county students receiving Pell have average take‑home pay under $32,000, arguing that the funds would keep tuition affordable and cover mission‑critical costs rather than add permanent positions.
On CIP items, presenters described state aid changes that created space to reorder capital projects and asked the committee to consider restoring deferred IT funding. A college presenter detailed technology costs, saying an ERP subscription expense is "increasing from just under 900,000 to $1,300,000 in an annual subscription," and describing aging Wi‑Fi and cybersecurity needs across campuses. Committee members signaled support for the college's requests and recommended advancing CIP adjustments to full council, while noting any IT restorations would be considered in the larger CIP deliberation.
No formal county action was taken; the committee asked college staff to keep council members informed as site selection and capital plans move forward.
