Council committee backs Montgomery College funding, adds $350,000 for a Collective Impact Institute

Montgomery College officials briefed the council on the college's FY25 request and priorities during the May 10 budget work session. The County Executive recommended funding the college’s operating and capital needs, and the Education & Culture committee unanimously recommended approval of that recommendation. The committee also recommended a $350,000 one-time allocation to establish a Collective Impact Institute at the East County campus to convene public, private and nonprofit partners around complex community problems.

Council members thanked college leadership for collaboration on fund-balance designations and noted work planned for capital projects including IT investments, Rockville Theatre Arts Center planning and East County campus planning. Committee members highlighted the college’s designation of portions of a reported fund balance (roughly $63.7 million total) toward operating, reserves and capital projects as part of a collaborative approach to a tight county budget year. The committee’s recommendation to fund the college and add the one-time Collective Impact Institute allocation was approved unanimously.