County Executive Elrich Is Holding Hybrid Forums to Seek Input on FY 2024 Operating Budget (November and December)

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the County’s regional services offices, and community partners are hosting hybrid forums in November and December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget. The next forum, emphasizing priorities of the senior community, will be conducted from 2-3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at Leisure World in Silver Spring. The forum at Leisure World is open in-person only to Leisure World residents. However, it can be viewed by anyone who registers for internet viewing. In addition, there will be a live, in-person satellite broadcast shown at the North Potomac Senior Center, which is located at 13850 Travilah Rd. in Rockville.

Residents can attend most forums in person or view them via the internet. The forum scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc. in Gaithersburg will be conducted in Chinese. The County is in the early stages of formulating the FY24 operating budget. County Executive Elrich is required to submit a recommended budget to the County Council by March 15. The Council will then have two months to review the budget. It must adopt a final budget no later than June 1. The FY24 operating budget will go into effect on July 1. “The budget is a primary indicator of the priorities of any jurisdiction,” said County Executive Elrich. “This is why community and resident involvement is essential to the process of developing a budget that reflects our values and goals. The objective is the make these forums accessible and interactive. I encourage residents to participate in the discussions because they are for you. No matter where you live or your age, I want to hear from as many people as possible. We were fortunate to maintain a very strong financial position throughout the pandemic, which enabled us to continue to support programs and services that are important to residents. Now we are looking ahead to the many ways we can make this a better place to live for everyone.”

The forums will be televised live on the County cable station County Cable Montgomery (CCM), which can be seen on Comcast (Channel 6 and High-Definition Channel 996), RCN (Channel 6 and HD 1056) and Verizon (Channel 30). The forums also will be available on cable channels Takoma Park City TV (Channel 13), Montgomery Municipal (Channel 16, 997 Comcast), Corona Montgomery (Channel 10) and Montgomery Community Media (Channel 21). The schedule for the remaining hybrid forums, including how to join each one virtually:

• Monday, Nov. 28. 2-3:30 p.m. Leisure World, 3701 Rossmore Dr., Silver Spring. Clubhouse 1—Crystal ballroom. For Leisure World residents only. Satellite viewing at North Potomac Senior Center, 13850 Travilah Rd., Rockville. Register to view online.
• Tuesday, Nov. 29. 7-8:30 p.m. In Chinese. Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc., 9318 Gaither Rd., Gaithersburg. Art gallery. Register to view online.
• Wednesday, Dec. 7. 7-8:30 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring. Register to view online.
• Monday, Dec. 12, 7-8:30 p.m. BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Register to view online.
• Wednesday, Dec. 14. 7-8:30 p.m. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. East-West Room. Register to view online.

Montgomery County will provide sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services upon request — with as much advance notice as possible, preferably at least three business days before the event. Contact Karen Falcon at 240-777-6522 or send a request to [email protected] . In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations. TTY users can use Maryland Relay 711.