By Adam Pagnucco.
The council was supposed to take hugely important straw votes on the capital and operating budgets today, but it’s not going to happen. Moments ago, Council President Natali Fani-González announced in council session that the vote would be postponed until tomorrow.
Fani-González: No vote.
The council president said, “Good afternoon, everyone. And I actually love this because it shows Montgomery County in action. We have more discussions to have among colleagues. So we’re going to postpone this session until tomorrow.”
Loud boos erupted in the chamber.
Fani-González concluded, “Alright, so we are adjourned.”
Here are a few observations.
First, the council typically holds its aggregate budget straw votes on a Thursday in mid-May. The last time this vote was delayed was back in 2008, when three council members (Phil Andrews, Roger Berliner and Duchy Trachtenberg) held out for budget savings as a large property tax increase was before the council. That was the first budget battle in what turned into a series of terrible budgets during the Great Recession.
Second, it’s apparent that the council president has not assembled the eight votes necessary to pass the operating budget. If those eight votes were in place, the council would have voted today.
Third, the council will now head into frenzied discussions including themselves, staff and possibly outside agencies. This will occur out of public view. The sticking points are taxes, school funding and whether any unpalatable band-aids (like raids of reserves or retiree healthcare money) can help put together the eight votes.
Let me emphasize this: the council is required by Sec. 305 of the county’s charter to pass capital and operating budgets by June 1. I have never heard of Montgomery County violating this requirement. One way or another, I expect the council to approve these budgets. But as to what is in them? Your guess is as good as mine.
Update: WTOP reporter Kate Ryan posted this video on X showing conditions in the room just prior to the postponement.
Packed hearing room as the Montgomery County Council gets set to vote on the budget. Many SEIU and MCEA staff here today as hundreds of those positions could be cut if there’s no agreement on fully funding ed budget. pic.twitter.com/kjtUE0SV0D
— Kate Ryan (@KateRyanWTOP) May 14, 2026