“My FY24 CIP amendment recommendations take advantage of opportunities to leverage significant non-County resources and reflect our broadly shared values of prioritizing education and core infrastructure improvements while considering racial equity and climate change concerns,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These amendments are all affordable within available resources. However, high inflation due to supply chain issues, labor shortages and a tight construction market has had a major impact on this CIP proposal. Without more funding, we are limited in our ability to solve local problems and to build the kind of healthy, just, economically vibrant community we want for our residents.”


The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. In October 2022, the County Council appointed five temporary acting Planning Board members. All members serve until their successors are appointed. The Council intends to appoint successors for three members. The following temporary Board members will vacate their positions at the end of February 2023: Ms. Presley, Mr. Hill and Ms. Branson. The following vacancies are available to fill the unexpired terms of the prior Planning Board members:

• One Montgomery County resident registered to vote in the County as a Republican (term ends June 14, 2024).


Bill 1-23, Property Tax Credit – Elderly Individuals and Retired Military Services Members – Amendments

Introduction: Councilmember Sidney Katz will introduce Bill 1-23, which would update eligibility for certain elderly individuals and retired military service members to receive a property tax credit, increasing the assessment threshold by $50,000. This bill seeks to update the assessed value to $700,000 for senior residents and $550,000 for retired members of the military to account for increases in property values during the last few years. The existing credit amount is 20 percent of the County property tax imposed on the dwelling. The credit must be granted each year for seven years, if the individual remains eligible for the credit. Councilmembers Luedtke, Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Gabe Albornoz and Vice President Andrew Friedson are cosponsors of the legislation.


Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council have announced a new grant program open to County nonprofit organizations for “Placed-Based Management” that will assist with economic development and tourism in business districts and in urban corridors with significant business and retail offerings. 

Eligible nonprofits can now apply for funds from the program. Applications are due by 10 a.m. on Monday Feb. 16. An online information session for the grant program will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. on Friday Jan. 13.  “Montgomery County’s small businesses are at the heart of what makes our economy thrive,” said County Executive Elrich. “Businesses in the County contribute to the well-being of our residents through job opportunities, tax funding for schools and to the diversity and quality of life in Montgomery County. This new grant program will help our businesses grow, support our communities and further establish Montgomery County as the best place to work, live and play in the National Capital Region.”


“Every veteran who has served in the history of the U.S. military has their own unique story,” said Wayne Miller, chair of the County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs. “It is the intent of our commission to allow residents to learn more about these remarkable people. The veterans we are honoring during Black History Month all have stories that the people of this County should know.”

The following information is needed on the forms:


The symptoms of canine influenza are cough, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, lethargy and poor appetite. The signs range in severity between no signs at all and severe illness sometimes resulting in death.

Canine influenza is thought to spread in aerosol respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. It is not transmissible to people. However, people can spread the virus to dogs via their clothing, equipment or hands.


Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs will honor County U.S. Uniformed Service members and veterans with detailed virtual tributes displayed on the County’s website to mark Black History Month in February. The tributes will include photos, background information and details of accomplishments during their military careers and afterward.

Detailed tributes will also be displayed throughout February at Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Black History Month display is free to view any time the Civic Building is open to the public. The Black History Month tribute will be displayed online at https://tinyurl.com/y2cn8h24.


“Sports is the largest participatory activity in Montgomery County and participants not only learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship but involvement also leads to higher levels of physical fitness, confidence, self-esteem, and academic success,” said Robin Riley, director of Montgomery County Recreation. “This committee will advocate for enhanced sports opportunities and exceptional facilities ensuring youth have access to recreational sports programs. We look forward to working with community stakeholders and collaborators to develop a roadmap for identifying opportunities to expand programming.”


Per Montgomery County: The fourth phase of Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will close to new applications at midnight on Friday, Jan.13.  Phase Four of the Rent Relief Program will close because it is expected that the current pool of applicants will exhaust  the remaining funds available for the program, which provides financial assistance for tenants who have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

Furthermore, the County offers Emergency Eviction Prevention services.  Renters facing an immediate loss of housing should call 311 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. to be connected with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Housing Stabilization Services.


Montgomery County is hosting its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute and celebration from 4–5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 at The Music Center at Strathmore. This free event, “We Are Martin,” will feature special guests, performing artists and a 200-student chorus from Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is also hosting the main event for the annual MLK Day of Service from noon–3 p.m. on Jan. 16, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at 5701 Marinelli Road in North Bethesda. There are also three partner sites hosting events on Jan. 16:

A full listing of local and remote opportunities to join an MLK Day of Service event is available here. Students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending and participating. Service will continue throughout the week with virtual, home-based and other on-site projects hosted by a variety of organizations.


MCPS is seeking employers in all career fields who would be willing to help prepare students for life after high school. Hosts could benefit by gaining extra help at a time when it is tough to find workers, and by building a future talent pipeline for the organization.

Since 2017, 2,400 students have participated in the program, gaining skills and connections with industry professionals. This year, the program is looking to serve 800 MCPS students in more than 60 industries.


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