HHS/MFP Committee Meeting on October 25th

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, chaired by George Leventhal, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, October 25th at 2:00 pm. The HHS/MFP Committees discussed the following agenda item:

1) Impacts of Health Care Reform on Agencies Health Care Benefits

Several people presented at this briefing, including the following:

• Joe Adler, Director, MCG Office of Human Resources
• Wes Girling, Benefits Division Manager, MCG Office of Human Resources
• Marshall Spatz, Director, MCPS Department of Management, Budget and Planning

The committee members had an opportunity to ask questions on how Health Care Reform affects government employees. The committee meeting was televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and is available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

 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 HHS/MFP session.

PS/MFP Committee Meeting on October 25th

The Public Safety (PS) Committee, chaired by Phil Andrews, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, October 25th at 9:30 am. The PS/MFP Committees discussed the following agenda items:

1) Supplemental appropriation – Office of the County Executive - $21,616,000 for the Public Safety System Modernization (continued)

2) Special Pay in IAFF collective bargaining agreement

3) Bill 45-10, Personnel – Disability Retirement – Eligibility – Total and Partial Incapacity

Public Safety System Modernization

The committees voted to purchase 4,389 APX 7000 radios assuming a 10% price reduction from the proposed average price. There will be a FY11 purchase of $20,936. This action is recommended without regard to whether or not the ambulance fee is passed on November 2nd.

Special Pay

The committees voted against special pay provisions to Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers. However, the committee members indicated an interest in information on providing bonuses for the recruitment of ALS providers.

Bill 45-10

The committees decided to allow more time for the staff of the Executive Branch and representatives from the unions to present an agreed upon come plan regarding a two-tiered disability retirement system. This plan would be reported back to the committees so that they could make their final determination of this topic.

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 PS/MFP session.

Health and Human Services/Management and Fiscal Policy Committee Meeting on October 25th

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, chaired by George Leventhal, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Monday, October 25th at 2:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the 7th Floor Council Hearing Room of the County Council Office Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The HHS/MFP Committees will discuss the following agenda item:

1) Impacts of Health Care Reform on agencies health care benefits

The committee meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/.

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 HHS/MFP session.

Public Safety/Management and Fiscal Policy Committee Meeting on October 25th

The Public Safety (PS) Committee, chaired by Phil Andrews, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Monday, October 25th at 9:30 am. The meeting will be held in the 7th Floor Council Hearing Room of the County Council Office Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The PS/MFP Committees will discuss the following agenda items:
1) Supplemental appropriation – Office of the County Executive - $21,616,000 for the Public Safety System Modernization (continued)

2) Special Pay in IAFF collective bargaining agreement

3) Bill 45-10, Personnel – Disability Retirement – Eligibility – Total and Partial Incapacity

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 PS/MFP session.

Pass the Emergency Services Transport Fee - Remarks by County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg

Following are my remarks at today's "Vote for A" Press Conference in support of a Montgomery County Emergency Services Transport Fee, held at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Fleet Section Central Maintenance Facility in Rockville, Maryland.

 One of the reasons I am standing here today is because I have never been afraid to speak out when I see government being hobbled by misinformation, distortions and political gamesmanship by a vocal minority

This candor is not without consequences, as I know very, very well. But I am not sorry for what I have said and written concerning the county executive’s proposed revenue recovery program.

Let’s be clear about the facts. The money collected under this revenue recovery program is money that will be paid by insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid.

Let me repeat that. If you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, you have probably already paid for the cost of ambulance transport through your policy or coverage.

Anyone telling you otherwise is trying to scare you, or to manipulate the truth for their own purpose.

What is the truth? Let’s be clear about that, too, because I believe truth has tremendous power. The people of Montgomery County need to know the truth—and that is, if you are uninsured or indigent, the recovery fee will be waived.

We need to spread this truth far and wide, and make sure the truth is heard above the din of distortion.

I also want to say this from my heart, as someone who has worked her whole life to shore up the social safety net and help people in need rise above their immediate challenges and build a better life.

This reimbursement money is required to cover the growing costs of essential county services, including those related to public safety and social services. The only way to ensure our continued support for the mentally ill, at-risk youths, the homeless and the many nonprofit groups we depend on every day is to collect the $14-17 million a year in reimbursements that are currently slipping through our fingers.

The County Executive should be praised for finding a steady source of revenue to fund programs that are often the first to go when budgets are cut. Why, then, is he facing such vocal, vehement opposition?

Why is a small group that has benefitted under the status quo spending large sums to protect their interests? I recently hear something I find very disturbing.

It’s been reported to me, and I hope will be independently verified by the media, that one supporter of the volunteer fire service was asked to write a $41,000 check to pay for polling and testing lines of attack against revenue recovery.

I don’t want money that should be spent in this community to protect citizens to go to a bunch of pollsters and spin doctors, do you?

I had the courage of my convictions to study this issue and change my vote in the County Council, because I believe that without reimbursement for ambulance services, people we know, people we see every day, real people—will suffer, slide deeper into health crises, mental illness and addiction.

I paid a political price for my candor, but the cost to my conscience would be far greater if I remained silent.

Development Oversight Coordinator Approved for Future Montgomery Projects

County Executive Will Be Required to Appoint Coordinator for Development Districts and Intensive New Developments

ROCKVILLE, Md., October 19, 2010—The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved amended Bill 1-10 that will require a development oversight coordinator be appointed by the County Executive for future development districts and each geographic area where a newly revised master plan or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment. The bill would require a coordinator be assigned for the proposed Clarksburg Town Center Development District (unless that district is terminated, as a resolution before the Council provides) and for implementation of the White Flint Sector Plan development.

The chief sponsors of Bill 1-10 are Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp. Councilmembers Phil Andrews and Roger Berliner were co-sponsors.

Bill 1-10 was introduced before the Council in January. The bill amends the County’s laws governing coordination of development and “provides further coordination and oversight of master-planned development … and further coordination and oversight of development districts.”

The bill directs the County Executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment.

The coordinator would monitor the financing and development of County infrastructure and associated State and private infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.

In addition to the White Flint Sector Plan and the Clarksburg Town Center Development District—which has been approved, but not implemented—another plan likely to warrant assignment of a development oversight coordinator is the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan approved earlier this year by the Council. The bill would not require coordinators for the two existing Germantown development districts because the required County infrastructure for those districts has been completed.

“This is important legislation for Montgomery County because there will be oversight of funding of the projects and it will allow for faster and more reliable implementation of plans that have been approved,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “We need a central point of contact in the Executive branch to ensure that our development efforts are focused and expeditious. Having a designated person to coordinate our complex development and financing efforts will increase the comfort of our neighbors, businesses and our development partners that this activity will move forward, with vision and purpose—something that we owe to our County’s residents.”

The bill does not require the County Executive to create a new position unless the Executive decides that no current employee or employees can perform the required functions.

“Our experience with large scale development in a concentrated area of the County strongly suggests that we need an effective oversight mechanism that is efficient and accountable,” said Councilmember Knapp. “This legislation will provide neighboring residents and the business community with the assurance the County is minding the store 24/7. As we work through the complexities of the new plans for White Flint and the Great Seneca Science Corridor, it is clear that this legislation is necessary.”

Public Safety and Management & Fiscal Policy Committees Discuss Public Safety System Modernization

The Public Safety Committee (PS), chaired by Phil Andrews, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, October 18th at 11:00 am to discuss the following agenda item:
(1) Amendment to the FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program and Supplemental Appropriation to the FY11 Capital Budget - Public Safety System Modernization-$21,616,000 (Source of Funds: Short Term Financing)

The committees held a work session regarding an amendment to the Public Safety Modernization (PSSM) CIP project and a Supplemental appropriation of $21.6 million. The purpose of the supplemental appropriation and amendment is to accelerate the purchase of new replacement radios. In addition, Sprint/Nextel, which is responsible for covering the costs associated with re-banding within the 800 MHz frequencies, has offered to pay the County $3.3 million if the County will move forward with purchasing new radios rather than proceeding with the current plan that requires the company to loan radios to the County. County Staff outlined three possible options regarding how to proceed with the purchase of radios. The three options included:

1) Do not approve the requested amendment/supplemental and the $3.3 million payment form Sprint/Nextel;

2) Approve the Executive’s proposal and accept the $3.3 million payment from Sprint/Nextel; and

3) Continue the Sprint/Nextel Loaner Program for the immediate re-banding but amend the PSSM CIP project to stop the scheduled purchase of XTS5000 radios until the County has completed its implementation of the Strategic Plan for the total public safety system.

The following people presented during the work session: Tom Manger, Chief of Police; Richard Bowers, Fire Chief; Mike Knuppel, Chief Technology Officer at the Department of Technology Services and Jacqueline Carter, Office of Management and Budget.

The Committee decided to obtain further information before making a recommendation to the full Council. There will be another work session on this topic on Monday, October 25th. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26th at 1:30 pm. Action is tentatively scheduled for October 26th as well.

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 joint PS/MFP work session.

Montgomery Council to Discuss Financing Plan for Future White Flint Infrastructure

Also on Tuesday, Oct. 19: Public Hearing on Elimination of Clarksburg Development District; Development Coordinator

ROCKVILLE, Md., October 18, 2010—The Montgomery County Council will hold a worksession starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, on options to finance the infrastructure necessary for the development authorized in the White Flint Sector Plan. The Council has previously approved a plan to transform the area along Rockville Pike just north of the Beltway into a much more urbanized area with higher densities and now must determine how the public needs for the plan will be financed.

The worksession on White Flint will be part of the afternoon session of the Council’s general session. The morning session will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. The meeting will be rebroadcast on CCM at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22.

As part of the morning session, the Council is scheduled to take action on Bill 1-10 that would require a development oversight coordinator be appointed by the County Executive for future development districts and each geographic area where a newly revised master plan or sector plan has authorized new development or redevelopment. Councilmembers Mike Knapp and Duchy Trachtenberg are the chief sponsors of the legislation, which is cosponsored by Councilmembers Phil Andrews and Roger Berliner.

The Council’s afternoon session, beginning at 1:30 p.m., will include a public hearing on a resolution to terminate the Clarksburg Town Center Development District.

At 4:30 p.m., the Council will hold interviews of applicants seeking to serve on the nominating panel to help find a new County inspector general. The interviews, which will be held in the Sixth Floor Conference Room, are open to the public, but will not be televised.

Trachtenberg Staff Tours Rural Montgomery

Trachtenberg staff toured Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve on a beautiful fall day, visiting White's Ferry, Dickerson, Poolesville, Bealesville, Barnesville and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve is an important environmental resource for future farm enterprises. A strong agricultural heritage provides a diverse business community and a strong economic base. Combining these strengths with the commitment for farmland preservation makes Montgomery County an attractive place to live and work.  Agricultural activities occupy about one-third of Montgomery County's land area. Over half of the 93,000-acre Agriculture Reserve is preserved through transfer of development rights or easement purchase initiatives.  The County's diverse agricultural industry's 577 farms and 350 horticultural enterprises produce more than $251 million in economic contribution from agricultural products and operations. The majority of Montgomery County farms are family-run operations, many reaching back several generations, which employ more than 10,000 residents. The County has 577 farmers, of whom 50 percent work full time in farming.

For more information on Rural Montgomery, click here, for information about the Montgomery Countryside Alliance, click here

PS/MFP Committees to Discuss Supplemental Appropriation to the FY11 Capital Budget

The Public Safety (PS) Committee, chaired by Phil Andrews, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Monday, October 18th to discuss Supplemental Appropriation – Office of the County Executive - $21,616,000 for Public Safety System Modernization (PSSM). Representatives from the Department of Technology Services (DTS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be attending the meeting as well as representatives from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Police. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. in the 7th Floor hearing room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy for the Trachtenberg Office, at 240-777-7948 or Laurie.Edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions.

A vote for ambulance fees is a vote for the poor - Washington Post

By Duchy Trachtenberg
Bethesda

When I read the Oct. 6 Metro article “Leggett proposes cuts in public safety services,” I was reminded again of how a vocal minority can use fear and misinformation to wage a political battle and win.

In this case, the volunteer firefighters in Montgomery County have used such tactics — an Oct. 7 letter to The Post stated bluntly that the fees “could risk lives” — to advance a multiyear campaign against a proposed ambulance fee reimbursement because it will, as the story put it, “dampen their own fundraising efforts.”

Good public policy is a product of thoughtful and reasoned judgment. During our budget deliberations last year, I decided to reverse my position and support the ambulance fee reimbursement for two reasons. First, the legislation proposed by the County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) concisely outlined a fair waiver process for those who are uninsured and indigent. Because of that, the reimbursement fee is nothing more than the collection of insurance dollars for services rendered.

But most important, I understood then, and I still do, that this reimbursement money is required to cover the growing costs of essential county services, including those related to public safety and social services. I understood that the only way to ensure our continued support for the mentally ill, at-risk youths, the homeless and the many nonprofit groups we depend on every day was to boldly say “yes” to this fee, despite my earlier misgivings. I understood that the needs of thousands of residents outweighed the small risk that someone may not call for emergency assistance because they misunderstood the fee policy. And remember: There is no convincing evidence that there has been any significant decline in requests for emergency services in neighboring jurisdictions where such fees policy are in place.

My position on this issue, and others related to spending, no doubt contributed to my defeat in the Democratic primary last month. That doesn’t mean I was wrong. The Montgomery County government will continue to face fiscal challenges and growing social needs over the next decade.

It’s time to close the curtains on the adolescent, testosterone-driven theatrics of the past four years of county politics. We need to face up to the financial difficulties we are in and put the people of Montgomery County first — especially those who have little voice in this political fight and will undoubtedly shoulder the burden of service elimination and program cuts.

The writer is a member of the Montgomery County Council (D-At Large).

Public Safety and Management & Fiscal Policy Committees Discuss Bill 45-10 and Public Safety System Modernization

The Public Safety Committee (PS), chaired by Phil Andrews, and the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, October 4th at 9:45 am to discuss the following agenda items:

1. Bill 45-10, Personnel - Disability Retirement – Eligibility – Total and Partial Incapacity
2. Amendment to the FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program and Supplemental Appropriation to the FY11 Capital Budget - Public Safety System Modernization

Bill 45-10

Most of this morning’s discussion focused on Bill 45-10, Personnel – Disability Retirement – Eligibility – Total and Partial Incapacity. This Bill would create a two-tiered system to distinguish between partial and total disability in regard to disability retirement benefits. The Councilmembers agreed that a two-tiered system makes sense, but would like the details to be worked out during collective bargaining. Councilmember Trachtenberg stated that she was happy that everyone seemed to be on the same page with respect to establishing a two-tiered system. Presenters included representatives of the Office of the County Attorney as well as the Fraternal Order of Police. No action was taken this morning and a follow-up work session will be scheduled.

Public Safety System Modernization

The committees held a briefing/discussion regarding an amendment to the Public Safety Modernization (PSSM) CIP project and a Supplemental appropriation of $21.6 million. The purpose of the supplemental appropriation and amendment is to accelerate the purchase on new replacement radios. In addition, Spring/Nextel, which is responsible for covering the costs associated with re-banding within the 800 MHz frequencies, has offered to pay the County $3.3 million if the County will move forward with purchasing new radios rather than proceeding with the current plan that requires the company to loan radios to the County. Steve Emanuel, Director of the Department of Technology Services, answered questions during the briefing. Councilmember Trachtenberg requested additional information on why this project is a priority at this time. There will be a scheduled work session on this topic.

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.

Management & Fiscal Policy Committee Discussed Bill 42-10 and Bill 34-10

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, October 4th at 11:30 am to discuss the following agenda items:

1. Expedited Bill 42-10, Personnel – Retirement – Furlough - Imputed Compensation – Represented Employees; and
2. Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities - Private Projects

Bill 42-10

Bill 42-10, Personnel – Retirement – Furlough – Imputed Compensation – Represented Employees would amend the definition of regular earnings and final earnings under the employees’ retirement system and the retirement savings plan to include imputed compensation not received due to a furlough for calculating retirement contributions and benefits of represented employees. It was decided to include a definition of “furlough” in the legislation. Moreover, the committee members decided 3-0 to accept the Bill as sent over by the Executive Branch.

Bill 34-10

Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities – Private Projects would amend the definition of public facilities to specifically exclude the construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alternation, repair, or modernization of any privately owned building or facility. Councilmember George Leventhal presented testimony in support of Bill 34-10. In addition, Jennifer Barrett, Director of Finance, represented the Executive Branch and answered questions. Councilmembers Trachtenberg and Ervin opposed the Bill while Councilmember Navarro supported it. Councilmember Trachtenberg stated that the Bill may open the door to other restrictions. In short, she did not feel that this legislation was in the best interest of Montgomery County.

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.

Remarks of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the 1st Annual Benefit for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center

I was pleased to receive the Marilyn J. Praisner Founders Award at last night’s 1st Annual Benefit for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center. The FJC serves as a comprehensive one-stop service shop for victims of family/domestic violence and their children. Located at 600 Jefferson Street, Suite 500, Rockville, Md., the center co-locates multiple agencies to provide coordinated advocacy, law enforcement, civil legal services and social services for wrap-around support for families. To date, the FJC has served over 2,000 individuals and families in crisis. My remarks from last night’s program follow:

“There are many people to thank tonight for this honor and recognition which I accept with humility and a distinct sense of obligation.

I’ll start by thanking my husband, Alan for your love and support. My friends here tonight – Bobbie Jean, Hannah, Joanne, Resa, Ray, Laura, Carla and Darren – for your unwavering dedication to those we strive to serve. To my colleague and friend Ike Leggett for your personal commitment to families touched by violence. To my wonderful staff, past and present – Alan, Bobbie, Naomi, Paul, Laurie - for your loyalty and dedication. To our generous donors and those gathered here tonight for your continued generosity. To the entire FJC Foundation Board, including the incomparable Catherine Leggett for your extraordinary efforts at spreading the word, supporting this important initiative and putting together this incredible event. And most importantly, the late Marilyn Praisner for her beautiful heart, her perpetual strength of character and her determination to make our vision of a FJC a reality and shining success.

I recall as if it was just yesterday the first conversation that the then Council President, the late Marilyn Praisner and I had with our County Executive Ike Leggett on the potential creation of a Montgomery County Family Justice Center. Under Marilyn’s mentorship, I brought the research literature on this exciting best practice and the clinical expertise to the first of many conversations. Marilyn brought the pragmatic directive to Ike: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Ike asked what the easy way was. Marilyn swiftly responded, “ Put it in next year’s budget or we will.” The rest is history; it was in the next year’s budget; and we’d all agree tonight that Ike Leggett is a skilled but very smart executive. He knew Marilyn and I would remain fearless and feisty in our efforts to start this essential project. Thank you Ike for having trust and confidence in our judgment and honoring Marilyn’s legacy.

As I have often stated, we know that the most effective way to prevent family violence and to respond to it is through a coordinated and comprehensive community effort. That concisely describes what the Montgomery County Family Justice Center is. The FJC provides a refuge; creates empowerment; offers hope; and reaffirms how the human spirit triumphs, with a little help from our friends. That has always been a core belief of mine and it will forever define my life’s work. It is no secret that these past few weeks have provided a temporary detour but tonight I assure you I am by no means at the end of any road.

All of us here tonight believe in the power of community. I do because I have in my life experiences witnessed the value of speaking the truth, becoming an advocate and taking on the most intractable challenges - those causes few embrace, many run from and often times that deplete one’s spirit and faith in humanity. This applies to the tragedy of family violence, the misery of poverty and political oppression, and the risk of exercising leadership in public service.

Victims become survivors. But their freedom and quality of recovery is swifter, longer and greater if others who bear witness speak up defiantly, take selfless action without hesitation, and in a measured but generous spirit embrace the concept of a shared journey. In a just community, survivors should never feel lonely or discarded, but rather valued and protected.

On a very personal note, I am guided by my heritage each and every day. I offer the following words to you as an inspiration and perhaps as a call to action, a matched set of verses straight from the Torah/Leviticus: “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Don’t stand idly by as your neighbor bleeds.” This is the greatest commandment – to both love and act on behalf of those around us.

Let those words guide our work in the weeks and months ahead. May they help us find joy and satisfaction in our celebration tonight. And may these verses remind us daily of our obligation to one another.

Thank you for tonight’s recognition. It is deeply appreciated.”

Montgomery Council Committees to Discuss Proposed Two-Tier Disability Retirement

The Montgomery County Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee and Public Safety Committee will meet jointly on Monday, Oct. 4, for a worksession on proposed Bill 45-10 that would create a two-tiered service connected disability retirement system for all County employees identical to the current system for fire and rescue employees.

The MFP Committee, which is chaired by Duchy Trachtenberg and includes Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Nancy Navarro, and the Public Safety Committee, which is chaired by Phil Andrews and includes Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Marc Elrich, will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Seventh Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

The worksession to be conducted by the joint committees follows a public hearing held on Sept. 28 on Bill 45-10 proposing creation of a two-tiered service connected disability retirement system for all County employees identical to the current system for fire and rescue employees. Under the proposal, which is sponsored by Councilmembers Trachtenberg, Andrews, Berliner and Ervin, employees eligible for a service-connected disability retirement benefit would receive either a partial incapacity benefit of at least 52.5 percent of final earnings or a total incapacity benefit of at least 70 percent of final earnings.
 
The current system for all employees, except fire and rescue employees, provides a service-connected disability retirement benefit of at least 66.7 percent of final earnings for both partial and total incapacity.