Council Passes $7.9B Budget With Progressive Income Tax

The Montgomery County Council voted on May 21, 2026 to adopt a $7.9 billion FY27 operating budget and a $6.3 billion six-year capital budget. The Council rejected the County Executive's proposed flat 3.3% income tax increase and 6.3-cent property tax hike, instead enacting a progressive income tax structure under which 95% of residents receive a tax reduction. Government spending growth was trimmed from the Executive's proposed 5.7% to 4.4%.