The Montgomery County Council’s first of three days of budget hearings began Monday afternoon, with a request from the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce to increase funding for maintenance and security of its downtown urban core.
County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed $5.7 billion budget sets aside $3.74 million for the Silver Spring Urban Partnership – an agency that performs street maintenance, provides security, coordinates special event activities and markets the area. The council approved $3.85 million last year for the urban district. The urban district also generates money from parking garage fees.
Silver Spring Chamber CEO Jane Redicker said the county’s department of transportation estimates that it generates $2.6 million in parking garage revenue each year, but she’s worried that isn’t enough, and wants more money budgeted for better security in garages after 10:30 p.m.
“We’re not sure where all that money is going toward, and what we want it to go for is increased security in our garages. Our nighttime economy has grown but the ability of our department of transportation to adapt has not evolved at the same time,” she said.
Separately, Redicker said the urban district is owed $3 million by Bethesda’s parking lot district dating to 2015, when the Silver Spring district loaned the Bethesda district $1.5 million to help offset low parking revenues. An additional loan was made to Bethesda in 2016, but neither loans were paid back, Redicker said.
“Now it’s supposed to be paid back in 2021,” Redicker said.
Redicker was one of 30 constituents who signed up to speak during the Monday afternoon hearing, with a number of others testifying in support of additional funding for adult day care services, education and other areas of need.
Jean Dinwiddie, the chairwoman of the county’s commission on aging, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, said she wants more funding for the department of recreation to assist senior citizens.
“Recreational programs at senior and community centers can include healthy meals, social engagement and intellectual stimulation. All are essential for older adults who might otherwise be isolated and alone,” she said.
Dinwiddie added that she believes an additional social worker position needs to be funded in the county’s Circuit Court system to alleviate a backlog of cases. As of August 2018, she said there were 119 unresolved cases.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media
