Per Montgomery County:
MoCo Government
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Procurement won a National Association of Counties (NACo) Award for the Digitization of County Contracting in the County Administration and Management category. NACo is an organization that represents county governments in the United States. It works to advance excellence in public service. Until recently, the County’s Office of Procurement utilized paper-based methods to manage procurement actions for more than 2,600 contracts, totaling goods and services valued at more than $1 billion annually. Due to the unforeseen urgency brought on by COVID-19, paper-based methods of submitting and receiving bids were no longer possible.
To improve the system, technical and operational staff fast-tracked the development and implementation of an e-bidding system to accept responses to solicitations online. These efforts were fully developed and maintained with existing staff at no cost and implemented within one year.
Per Montgomery County: The 2023 Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, will be a unique opportunity for residents to explore 21 select farms in the County’s Agricultural Reserve, shop local, enjoy fresh food, see farm animals and learn about farming as a way of life. The Farm Tour will offer a chance to visit select farms, some of which are only open to the public during this special weekend event.
During the Farm Tour weekend, all 21 participating farms will be open on Saturday, July 22, and 17 farms will be open on Sunday, July 23. Tourgoers should check the 2023 Farm Tour website for each farm they plan to visit for any additional costs, details on hours and activities or to make any necessary reservations. No pets are allowed except service animals for persons with disabilities.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will begin charging for Saturday parking beginning on Saturday, July 8. The Saturday hours and rates will be the same as the existing weekday schedules. Sundays will remain free. Drivers will be able to purchase monthly parking passes valid for mornings, evenings and weekends.
Parking revenue will be used to implement new safety and security measures in Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking facilities. This will include installing more lighting and cameras, in addition to maintenance. The Montgomery County Council approved the new parking schedule and a monthly pass with Resolution 20-167, “Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares,” as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will implement the changes in accordance with the resolution.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the Diversion Center planned in Rockville on Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville. The meeting also will be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS.
The County is opening the diversion center to help reduce the use of emergency rooms and jail. The center will be available to individuals in crisis who are dropped off by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or police, persons transferred from hospitals, persons who are released from the central processing unit at the detention center, and inmates released from jail and court programs. A team of multidisciplinary professionals will staff the center including nurses, licensed mental health and addiction professionals, peer specialists and resource navigators.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has launched a “Peer Review Program” for developers and property owners who want to retain the services of a DPS-certified peer reviewer for sediment control, stormwater management and right-of-way projects that require permits from the DPS land development division. DPS is now accepting applications from those who request to be certified as peer reviewers.
Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) will hold a meeting in Wheaton from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, on “Supporting Youth in Crisis.” The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community and businesses to share with local officials and professionals what they are seeing in their community as it relates to mental health, substance abuse and violence among youth.
The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee consists of 11 members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council to provide advice on matters affecting the Wheaton Urban District (downtown) area. Members represent businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, residents and the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board.
It is difficult to estimate at this point the complete impact this ruling will have, including on some operations within County government. However, it is immediately clear that it will have a detrimental impact and reflects that we are currently living under the dictates of the most reactionary Supreme Court I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.
Justice Elena Kagan summarized it well in her dissenting opinion on another of today’s rulings by stating, “In every respect, the Court today exceeds its proper, limited role in our Nation’s governance.”
Per Montgomery County: As Independence Day weekend approaches, the Montgomery County Department of Police and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are warning motorists: Impaired driving is drunk driving. County Police and allied local and State police departments will be on the road with enhanced patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend.
Nationally, the holiday weekend, marked by celebrations and increased travel, often comes with a surge in traffic crashes caused by excessive speed, impairment and distracted driving. The National Safety Council estimates 619 people may die on U.S. roads this Independence Day holiday.
Per Montgomery County:
MCFRS serves and protects over one million residents across five hundred square miles. Annually, MCFRS responds to over 130,000 calls and operates with an annual budget in excess of $260 million.
The Montgomery County Government is currently interviewing candidates to permanently replace Chief Goldstein. MCFRS Human Resources Division Chief John Kinsley will serve as Interim Fire Chief until a new MCFRS Chief is nominated for County Council confirmation. Kinsley has been with MCFRS for 37 years. He is also credentialed by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International as a Chief Fire Officer.