Rotary Club of Metro Bethesda Breakfast Meeting

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, was this week’s guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Metro Bethesda. The club meets on Thursdays at 7:30 am at Redwood Restaurant in downtown Bethesda. The weekly meeting allows an opportunity to network with local business leaders, eat a delicious buffet breakfast and hear a dynamic speaker such as Councilmember Trachtenberg. The breakfast adjourns promptly at 8:45 am.

Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed Montgomery County’s fiscal outlook. Many factors contributed to this year’s budget challenge including a downturn in the housing market, a decrease in revenue from recordation taxes, and a decrease in the income tax revenue. She mentioned that Montgomery County is extremely dependent on income tax revenue as opposed to other counties such as Fairfax. Furthermore, Councilmember Trachtenberg stated that the County has a huge obligation to its employees regarding compensation and benefits.

In terms of the future, Councilmember Trachtenberg stated that the MFP Committee will be presenting new fiscal policies for Montgomery County. For example, there will be a FY11-16 Public Services Program, essentially a balanced six-year fiscal plan. Moreover, MFP will recommend a new and improved reserve policy. She frankly told the group that “we have not used our reserves in the most optimal fashion.” The MFP Committee will make recommendations to full Council by the end of June.

Councilmember Trachtenberg entertained several questions from the audience. Some of the questions focused on the White Flint Master Plan, relationship between the Council and OLO (Office of Legislative Oversight), obligations of the County Government to retirees, and ways to increase revenue for the County. One member advocated for a soda tax.

The Rotary Club of metro Bethesda received their charter in December 2006 from Rotary International. The motto of the Rotary Club of metro Bethesda is “SERVICE above SELF.” For more information on this Rotary Club, please go to http://www.metrobethesdarotary.org/.

Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, attended the breakfast with Councilmember Trachtenberg.