On March 20, the Montgomery County Council Education and Culture Committee approved amended FY2026 capital budget requests and changes to Montgomery College’s FY2025–2030 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), adding $12,400,000 in local funding over the six-year window and approving a series of project-specific adjustments.

Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Williams told the committee the college is serving more than 45,000 students and has seen recent enrollment gains. "We are the community's college," Williams said, noting the institution’s $1,400,000,000 annual economic impact and the role of campus facilities in workforce training.

The committee — with the County Executive’s recommendations noted in the packet and council staff concurrence — approved individual line-item changes to the college CIP. Senior legislative analyst Doug Prouty said the college submitted an amended CIP that adds $12,400,000 over the six-year program; the County Executive concurs with the request.

Key changes approved include: a $3,000,000 increase to capital renewal for FY2026 to address building systems and code updates; an $864,000 FY2026 addition for renovations to the Leonard Library serving Rockville and Takoma Park/Silver Spring; a $5,000,000 deferral of East County Campus planning funds from FY2026 to FY2027 (land acquisition, design and construction are not funded in this step); a request to add $166,000 in FY2030 (and $1,284,000 beyond the six-year forecast) for the Germantown Student Affairs and Science Building rebuild and expansion; a $5,000,000 increase spread across FY2026–2029 for a new Germantown Student Services Center (about 150,000 square feet); a $3,000,000 planned lifecycle asset replacement increase for FY2026; and a $167,000 adjustment and schedule shift for the Rockville Theatre Arts Building renovation (local funding moved from FY2026 to FY2027).

College staff described the East County Education Center — now less than a year old — as already serving about 1,500 students and said the college has received state approval to offer full degrees there. College representatives said they have engaged Canon Design for master planning and are conducting alternative-site assessments and due diligence, including coordination with the Viva White Oak developer and county finance staff on potential bond structures. "We are committed to engaging the community" during the planning process, a college official said.

Committee members praised the college’s outreach and encouraged a bold approach for the East County campus. Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (referred to in remarks as council vice president) and Councilmember Mink both voiced strong support; Councilmember Andrew Friedson (referred to as Councilmember Abernathy in the transcript) urged creative amenities such as large event space to boost revenue and community use.

All budget adjustments described in the packet were approved by the committee "without objection," according to the meeting record. College staff said the approvals will allow planning and master-planning work to proceed; the college and county staff will continue site assessments and financial structuring before requesting funds for land acquisition and construction.

Votes at a glance
- Approve Montgomery College amended FY2025–2030 CIP adding $12,400,000: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Capital renewal: +$3,000,000 FY2026: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Leonard Library renovations (Rockville; Takoma Park/Silver Spring): +$864,000 FY2026: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- East County Campus planning: defer $5,000,000 from FY2026 to FY2027: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Germantown Student Affairs/Science Building: +$166,000 FY2030 and $1,284,000 beyond six-year forecast: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Germantown Student Services Center: +$5,000,000 across FY2026–2029: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Planned lifecycle asset replacement: +$3,000,000 FY2026: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).
- Rockville Theatre Arts Building renovation: $167,000 and move local funding FY2026→FY2027: approved (tally not specified; approved without objection).

The committee record indicates the County Executive recommended approval of the amendments and council staff concurred on each item. Next steps cited by college staff include completing alternative-site assessments, continuing master-planning work with Canon Design, refining financing options with county finance staff, and scheduling future community engagement and committee briefings when project timelines are clearer.