Navarro to Introduce Resolution Calling for Operating Budget Restraint

Councilmember Nancy Navarro plans to introduce a resolution asking the council to exercise restraint on budget items not related to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, Councilmember Nancy Navarro will introduce a resolution calling on the Montgomery County Council to “exercise spending restraint” on operating budget items that are not related to public health or economic recovery needs related to the coronavirus crisis, according to a press release from Navarro’s office. 

The resolution calls for councilmembers’ staff to create budget options that would maintain Montgomery County departments, Montgomery County Public Schools, and Montgomery County at the same level of service while still exercising restraint, the press release said. This will allow the county to offer additional public health and economic recovery resources to residents. 

The resolution also allows the Montgomery County Council to reevaluate resource allocation and spending after the COVID-19 pandemic concludes.

“Our operating budget must be sensitive to our needs, sustainable in the long-term, and responsive to the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing today,” Navarro said in the press release. “While we have no idea what our new normal will look like at this point, we know that county resources must be laser focused on the health and welfare of our residents and our economic recovery efforts.”

Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Gabe Albornoz, Craig Rice and Hans Riemer all plan to cosponsor Navarro’s resolution, according to the press release from Navarro’s office. The resolution will be voted on Tuesday, March 24.

About Grace Mottley

Grace Mottley was a spring 2020 intern for Montgomery Community Media. At the time, she was studying at the University of Maryland, where she is majoring in multi-platform journalism.

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