Council live testimony
Use this page for live public hearing testimony sign-up and future public hearing links.
Open official pageBudget process
When Montgomery County, Maryland Makes Budget Decisions
The county budget follows a yearly process with proposal, review, hearings, and final action. This page explains when residents can pay attention and where to check official dates.
Data status: FY27 budget calendar and public comment sources
Last checked: 2026-05-19. The broad budget cycle is predictable, but hearing dates, agendas, and sign-up links can change. Check official Council pages before attending or testifying.
The Short Version
FY27 RecommendedThe budget cycle has a steady shape: capital budget work starts first, the operating budget recommendation arrives by March 15, hearings and Council review follow in spring, and final action is required by June 1 before the fiscal year starts on July 1.
The exact hearing dates are not fixed on this page. They can change, and residents should check official Council pages before attending, testifying, or submitting comments.
Where To Check Current Dates
These are the official pages to check before taking action. This page was last checked on 2026-05-19, but Council agendas and hearing sign-up links can move.
Council agenda
Use this page for Council sessions, committee meetings, and hearing agenda updates.
Open official pageCouncil budget updates
Use this page for the Council's current operating and capital budget update links, budget contact information, and budget review context.
Open official pageOMB publications
Use this page for official recommended, amended, and approved budget documents by fiscal year.
Open official pageAnnual Budget Timeline
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July 1
Fiscal year begins
Montgomery County's fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30.
What residents can do
Use approved or adopted budget documents for final figures once they are posted, and keep version labels in mind when comparing older pages.
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Fall and winter
Budget preparation and community input
Departments and agencies prepare requests, OMB reviews them, and the County Executive reviews the budget before making recommendations.
What residents can do
Look for budget forums or community input opportunities when they are announced, especially if you care about a department, school, library, road, or service area.
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January 15
Capital budget and CIP recommendation
The County Executive's capital budget is published annually by January 15. In even-numbered calendar years, the six-year CIP is also published by January 15.
What residents can do
Check projects that affect buildings, roads, parks, school facilities, and other long-term public assets.
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February
Capital hearings and spending affordability
The Council reviews capital budget items and sets operating budget spending affordability guidance before the operating budget recommendation arrives.
What residents can do
Check the Council agenda and live testimony page for current hearing dates before planning to attend or sign up.
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March 15
Operating budget recommendation
The County Executive recommends the operating budget and Public Services Program to the County Council by March 15.
What residents can do
Read the recommendation with its version label. Recommended figures can change during Council review.
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April
Operating budget hearings
The Council holds public hearings after receiving the recommended operating budget. Specific hearing dates can change from year to year.
What residents can do
Use the official live testimony page to sign up for live testimony, and check Council instructions for written, audio, or video testimony.
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April and May
Council review and worksessions
Council committees and the full Council review department and agency budgets, hear from staff and agencies, and prepare recommendations.
What residents can do
Track committee and Council agendas, follow the issue you care about, and contact Council offices before final action.
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By June 1
Final Council action
The County Charter requires the Council to approve and make appropriations for the operating and capital budgets by June 1.
What residents can do
Look for final Council action before treating figures as approved or adopted. A recommendation is not final adoption.
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After final action
Approved documents are posted
OMB publication pages list recommended, amended, and approved budget documents by fiscal year as they become available.
What residents can do
Use the official OMB publications page to find the current official budget document and confirm the version.
Timeline As A Reference Table
Use this table when you want to scan the process quickly or compare stages.
| When | Stage | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Fiscal year begins | Use approved or adopted budget documents for final figures once they are posted, and keep version labels in mind when comparing older pages. |
| Fall and winter | Budget preparation and community input | Look for budget forums or community input opportunities when they are announced, especially if you care about a department, school, library, road, or service area. |
| January 15 | Capital budget and CIP recommendation | Check projects that affect buildings, roads, parks, school facilities, and other long-term public assets. |
| February | Capital hearings and spending affordability | Check the Council agenda and live testimony page for current hearing dates before planning to attend or sign up. |
| March 15 | Operating budget recommendation | Read the recommendation with its version label. Recommended figures can change during Council review. |
| April | Operating budget hearings | Use the official live testimony page to sign up for live testimony, and check Council instructions for written, audio, or video testimony. |
| April and May | Council review and worksessions | Track committee and Council agendas, follow the issue you care about, and contact Council offices before final action. |
| By June 1 | Final Council action | Look for final Council action before treating figures as approved or adopted. A recommendation is not final adoption. |
| After final action | Approved documents are posted | Use the official OMB publications page to find the current official budget document and confirm the version. |
Short FAQ
When does the fiscal year start?
Montgomery County's fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30.
Who proposes the budget?
The County Executive develops and recommends budget proposals to the County Council. Independent agencies such as MCPS also have their own request and review steps before county action.
Who approves the budget?
The County Council authorizes expenditures, sets tax rates, and must approve the operating and capital budgets by June 1.
When can residents comment?
Residents can comment during public hearings and can also contact Council offices during review. Capital hearings usually occur earlier than operating budget hearings, but current dates should always be checked on official Council pages.
What People Often Misunderstand
A public hearing is one part of the process, not the only moment when residents can pay attention. Council committees and full Council worksessions in April and May can also matter.
A comment does not guarantee a specific budget result. It becomes part of the public process that Councilmembers consider along with legal requirements, agency requests, fiscal limits, and other testimony.
A recommended budget is not the final budget. Treat figures as recommended until final Council action and official approved documents are verified.