The Montgomery County Council will take public testimony on more than $10.7 million in new spending and a three-mile corridor rezoning over three hearings in July and September, with the first sign-up deadline hitting Monday, July 27, at 2 p.m.

Three budget items land on the Tuesday, July 28, hearing agenda: a $390,000 youth vaping response funded by the JUUL/Altria legal settlement, a $4.25 million federal grant to expand the county's FiberNet fiber-optic backbone and a $6 million state grant to train up to 155 MCPS staff members as fully licensed teachers. Council President Natali Fani-González is the lead sponsor on all three, acting at the request of County Executive Marc Elrich.

Youth vaping: $390,000 from JUUL/Altria settlement

The largest slice, $250,000, would go to RecMode Fitness & Boxing LLC for a 12-month "Beyond the Gloves" program combining fitness training with anti-vaping education. Another $100,000 would fund the Street Outreach Network for substance-use prevention in high-risk zip codes, and $40,000 would pay a grant administrator. The program targets Black and Latino youth ages 11 to 21.

FiberNet expansion: $4.25 million in federal pass-through funds

The capital appropriation would pay for 50 miles of new fiber-optic cable and hub-site equipment, expanding a network that already spans 650 route miles and connects 558 government, school and emergency sites, including 911 call centers and traffic management systems. The money flows from a federal Connect Maryland grant passed through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The state signaled its intent to award the funds on May 29; the county must spend the full amount by the end of this year. Montgomery County has already set aside $1.4 million in matching funds.

MCPS educator pipeline: $6 million state grant

MCPS received the largest single award under Gov. Wes Moore's $19 million statewide Grow Your Own Educators program. The grant covers tuition, fees, and licensure costs for up to 155 current school staff pursuing teaching credentials through three pathways: a Teacher Apprenticeship Program ($1.9 million), a Para-to-Teacher bachelor's degree track ($2 million) and an accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching ($2.1 million). MCPS plans to partner with Towson University and Notre Dame of Maryland University. Participants keep their current pay and benefits while enrolled.

When announcing the statewide awards in April, Moore called the program "the foundation for a diverse and world-class educator workforce."

University Boulevard rezoning: September 15

A separate hearing on Tuesday, September 15, will take testimony on Sectional Map Amendment H-163, the final step to implement the University Boulevard Corridor Plan the Council approved on December 9, 2025. The rezoning covers a three-mile stretch of MD 193 from south of I-495 to Amherst Avenue in Wheaton, including the Four Corners area and Woodmoor Shopping Center. The plan calls for mixed-use and higher-density zoning on corridor-facing blocks, institutional properties and single-use shopping centers. It also envisions dedicated bus rapid transit lanes on University Boulevard and Colesville Road, wider sidewalks, and low-stress bicycle facilities. The sign-up deadline is Monday, September 14, at 2 p.m.

A fifth item, a road-resurfacing amendment introduced by Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe and co-sponsored by Councilmember Evan Luedtke, goes to a hearing on September 22. That proposal would update the county's pavement condition data in the capital plan; as of March 2026, rural and residential roads scored 67.1 and 66.8 on the Pavement Condition Index, both below the county's target of 70. Sign-up deadline: Monday, September 21, at 2 p.m.

How to participate

Residents can register to testify in person or remotely at montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html, submit written or recorded testimony at the same address, or call 240-777-7803 to sign up by phone. Hearings begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville and stream live on County Cable Montgomery and the Council's YouTube channel. Residents needing ADA accommodations should contact the Council at least five business days before the hearing.