Nonprofits and health providers urge full funding and COLA in Montgomery County FY27 budget

Several nonprofit leaders and service providers told the County Council that the FY27 operating budget must include increased or restored funding to maintain safety‑net programs, preserve staffing and meet sharply rising demand.

Anice Cody, president and CEO of the Primary Care Coalition, said the county executive’s budget included only 12% of the coalition’s requested increase and urged the council to protect $1.5 million in provider reimbursement and $93,000 in dental funding to avoid service reductions that could force uninsured patients into emergency rooms. Manna Food Center’s CEO Craig Rice described a 30% jump in families served in the prior year and asked for a county COLA for contracted nonprofits and targeted increases to food‑system programs.

Speakers representing developmental‑disability providers and residential‑rehabilitation programs asked the council to approve a modest (2.5%) supplement or restore larger percentages they said were needed to keep essential direct‑service staffing in place. Several program participants and family members testified that sudden cuts would reduce services that support employment, independent living and crisis prevention.

Public‑health and community witnesses also asked for continued funding for HHS mobile health services in western county areas; one coordinator reported 598 unique individuals served in six months. Parents and parent‑engagement speakers asked the council to fund a $190,000 parent engagement line in after‑school programming, saying the supports improve attendance and academic outcomes.

Council members heard requests for an 8% nonprofit COLA from a coalition of providers and multiple targeted requests for emergency and prevention services. No final appropriations were decided at the hearing; councilmembers will consider these requests as they revise the FY27 budget.