Wednesday, January 25, 2023
I am excited to announce that the District 2 team has hit the ground running and is ready to work for our community. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or comments you might have. We are here to serve you!
From left to right: Wafa Jawad, Craig Wilson, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Lisa Mandel-Trupp, Holly Mancuso
I will be serving on the newly formed Economic Development (ECON) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez and the Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee, chaired by Council President Evan Glass. I am also honored to have been selected as the:
- Workforce Development lead on the ECON Committee
- Montgomery County Council's liaison to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Planning Board (TPB)
- Liaison to the Montgomery Council Economic Development Corporation
For years, I have been working on transportation, land use, and economic development issues in Montgomery County. My committee assignments are directly aligned with my prior experience and I look forward to continuing the important work that must be done on these crucial issues.
You can watch the ECON committee's first work session here.
The County Council received County Executive Elrich's proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) last week.
The Board of Education requested $8 million to cover construction costs for the Poolesville High School capital project. The Executive did not make any changes to the Board's request, and we are excited to see this project completed in August 2024.
Unfortunately, the County Executive's proposal delays two major District 2 projects - the Clarksburg Library and the extension of Observation Drive. I will continue to closely monitor these projects and advocate for the residents of District 2. I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about how the CIP will impact our community.
The County Council will devote its time to working on the Capital Improvements Program during the next several months. I will continue to keep you updated on projects within our community. The County Council will approve the CIP in conjunction with the Operating Budget prior to June 1, 2023.
Public hearings on the CIP will be held on the dates below. The County Council wants to hear from you. Click here if you are interested in signing up to speak at these public hearings. The deadline to sign up is February 6th at 5PM.
- February 7, 2023 at 1:30PM
- February 9, 2023 at 7PM
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Bill 1-23, Taxation - Property Tax Credit - Elderly Individuals and Retired Military Service Members
- This legislation would update the maximum assessed value of a property from $650,000 to $700,000 for qualifying elderly residents and from $500,000 to $550,000 for eligible military service members and retirees for a property tax credit.
- A public hearing on this legislation is scheduled for February 7, 2023.
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Bill 2-23, Board of Investment Trustees - Membership - Amendments
- Bill 2-23 would modify the membership of the Board of Investment Trustees by removing the Director of Human Resources and replacing the position with the Chief Labor Relations Officer as an ex-officio member.
- A public hearing on this legislation is scheduled for February 7, 2023.
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Bill 33-22, Capital Improvements Program - Affordable Housing Feasibility Study
- This legislation would require the County Executive to submit an affordable housing feasibility study to the Council for certain capital projects and establish a review process for the Council to determine project feasibility for colocation of affordable housing.
- The effective date for this legislation would be July 1, 2023, after the CIP budget for FY2023 is approved by the Council.
- A public hearing on this legislation took place on January 17, 2023.
It’s been great to spend time in our District, which covers Germantown, Clarksburg, Poolesville, Dickerson, Boyds, Darnestown, and North Potomac. I spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteering at Journey’s Crossing and made a quick stop at the Manna Food Center to donate food and diapers. This was an important reminder that while we have made great progress as a nation, we still have an incredible amount of work to do.
I also had the great privilege to meet with the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association at their legislative dinner. It was nice to thank them for what they do every day to make our community safe.
Additionally, I stopped by Locals in Poolesville for some wonderful food and even better conversation. Make sure to visit Locals when you are in the Poolesville area - it is a true gem in the District 2 community.
Introducing a few of our great Council Communications team to Locals in Poolesville.
With Joe Chornock at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services dinner.
This newsletter is one of the ways I will be keeping in touch with you. Sent biweekly, we will highlight the Council's work, share happenings in the District 2 community, and provide helpful Countywide information. If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to subscribe, click the link below.
You can also follow me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
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