MFP Committee Meeting on June 21st

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, June 21st at 10:00 am. The MFP Committee discussed the following agenda items:

• Resolution to approve Franchise Agreement for Use of Public Right-of-Way: Level 3 Communications, LLC
• Bill 31-10, Board of Investment Trustees - Membership
• Expedited Bill 30-10, Personnel - Equal Benefits - Fire and Rescue Employees
• Expedited Bill 41-09, Taxation - Property Tax Credit - Business Incubator

The MFP Committee approved a resolution to approve a franchise agreement for use of public right-of-way: Level 3 Communications Services, Inc. In addition, the Committee approved Bill 31-10, Board of Investment Trustees-Membership. Bill 31-10 revises the composition of the Board of Investment Trustees by providing that the representative of the police bargaining unit serve on the Board indefinitely rather than for a fixed term. Moreover, the MFP Committee approved Bill 301-10, Personnel - Equal Benefits – Fire and Rescue Employees. Bill 30-10 amends the law to implement the 2002 collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) by providing health and insurance benefits to opposite sex domestic partners of employees in the fire and rescue services bargaining unit. Chair Trachtenberg stated that equity with respect to employee benefits should be across the board for all collective bargaining units.

Finally, the MFP Committee discussed Expedite Bill 41-09 on Business Incubators. Steve Silverman, Director of Economic Development, testified at the committee meeting. The effect of this Bill is to substitute a property tax credit for the property tax which each incubator would otherwise be required to pay because, although the incubator is funded by the County, it is located in a privately-owned, fully taxable building, or, if located in a government-owned building, is occupied by a private business. The Committee approved Bill 41-09 with two minor amendments: (1) the credit is limited to incubators either funded substantially by the state or County or located in state or County buildings; and (2) the effective date of the Bill begins on or after July 1, 2010.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.