Council to hear recommendation to limit county executive terms

Plus: ‘Baby bonds’ public hearing; briefing on LGBTQ+ historical preservation

June 17, 2024 2:31 p.m.


A review of recommended changes to the county charter, a hearing on a proposed Child Investment Fund and a briefing on preserving the county’s LGBTQ+ history top the Montgomery County Council’s agenda this week.

The council will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Stella Werner Council Office Building in Rockville for its regular weekly business meeting. Here’s what to expect:

Charter Review Commission recommendations

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The county’s Charter Review Commission will present its key recommendations to the council from its annual report.

The major three recommendations include limiting county executives to three terms in their lifetime, regardless of when the terms are served; requiring the council to confirm all appointments made by the county executive; and a recommendation that certain budget decisions would require a two-thirds vote from the council rather than a majority vote. These circumstances would include an operating budget that exceeds the previous year’s budget after adjustment for inflation, an increase in property tax rates to fund the budget, as well as the overall approval of the operating budget, according to the council agenda packet.

‘Baby bonds’ public hearing

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, the council will host a public hearing on the proposed Child Investment Fund. Also known as a “baby bonds” bill, the fund would set aside $1,800 for each child born in the county to invest in housing, a business or education upon reaching age 18.

The proposed legislation that would create a Child Investment Fund is sponsored by councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) and Will Jawando (D-At-large). It has received co-sponsor support from councilmembers Dawn Luedtke (D-Dist. 7), Kristin Mink (D-Dist. 4) and Laurie-Anne Sayles (D-At-large).

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According to the council’s legislation packet, creation of the fund would aim to “reduce wealth inequity in the county by establishing a non-lapsing fund to invest public monies for the ultimate benefit of children in low-income families in the county.”

For each child born in the county, $1,800 would be placed into the fund—subject to income or wealth requirements. When the child turns 18, that child would be able to apply for disbursements from the fund until age 36, subject to income or wealth requirements that would be established by a 13-person committee. Recipients must live in the county to receive the benefit when they request it. Any unclaimed funds would cycle back into the program.

Briefing on LGBTQ+ historical preservation

The council will receive a briefing from the Historical Preservation staff of the Planning Department on efforts to preserve LGBTQ+ history in the county. This includes work to identify properties to the National Register of Historic Places that are significant to the county’s LGBTQ+ history.

The presentation will focus on LGBTQ+ historic sites and individuals who were important LGBTQ+ civil rights figures in Montgomery County, as well as outreach work conducted with community and historical preservation partners.

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Compensation for Police Accountability Board members

Council President Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1) will introduce a bill on behalf of County Executive Marc Elrich (D) that would compensate civilian members of the county’s state-mandated Police Accountability Board for their participation on the Police Trial Board.

Currently, civilian members are not compensated for their time and participation on trial boards. If the bill is passed, they will be paid $500 per day spent serving during a trial or spent in training required for trial board service.

Vote to confirm police chief

The council will vote to confirm county Assistant Police Chief Marc Yamada as Police Chief. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich nominated Yamada, a Japanese American and a county police department veteran, in May. If approved by the council, Yamada–the father of a county police officer–will be the department’s 18th police chief and the first Asian American to hold the post.

According to county officials, Yamada has 35 years of experience with the county police department. An assistant chief for three years, Yamada is in charge of the Field Services Bureau, overseeing department services and divisions ranging from special operations, SWAT and K9 to traffic operations, school safety, community engagement and crisis response, according to Elrich’s office.

Yamada interviewed with the council last week.

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