County Seeks Residents' Input At Online Budget Forum: Sept. 14

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will hold a meeting Monday evening to get residents' input on both the FY 2022 Operating Budget and the Capital Budget/Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

It is the first of multiple online forums about the county's budget priorities.

In total, there will be five regional forums about the county's Capital Budget/CIP and two forums about the county's operating budget. All forums will be hosted via Microsoft Teams.

"I am hopeful that our virtual format will allow more residents to participate in these forums. Even though we cannot be together, this new format should enable us to discuss with residents the county's budget process for Fiscal Year 2022," said Elrich. "COVID-19 has changed how the government delivers services, and this virtual forum may make it easier for more residents to participate and engage with the process. We hope you will join us to listen, learn, ask questions and let us know what is important to you."

The FY22 Budget forums schedule:

• Monday, Sept. 14: Citizens Advisory Board/CIP Forum, East County – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Monday, Sept. 21: FY22 County Operating Budget Forum – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Wednesday, Sept. 30: FY22 County Operating Budget Forum -- 7 pm. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Thursday, Oct. 8: Citizens Advisory Board/CIP Forum, Mid County – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Tuesday, Oct. 13: Citizens Advisory Board/CIP Forum, Bethesda – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Monday, Oct. 26: Citizens Advisory Board/CIP Forum, Up County – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: Citizens Advisory Board/CIP Forum, Silver Spring – 7 p.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

Sign language interpreter services will be provided upon request (no less than 72 hours prior to the event). If these or other services or aids are needed, call 240-777-6507, Maryland Relay 711, or email a request to Karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The Sept. 21 and 30 meetings will be live-streamed on the county's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Residents can watch the meeting live with closed captioning on County Cable Montgomery (tune into Comcast Channel 6 or 996 HD; RCN Channel 6 or 1056 HD; or Verizon Channel 30).

Elrich will send his Recommended FY22 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY21-26 CIP to the County Council on Jan 15. The Recommended FY 22 Operating Budget will be sent to the County Council on March 15.

The Council will approve the budgets at the end of May.