Mission Statement

Urban Districts support and enhance the County's unincorporated downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton) as prosperous, livable urban centers by maintaining streetscape and its investments; providing additional public amenities such as plantings, seating, shelters, and works of art; promoting the commercial and residential interests of these areas; and programming cultural and community activities.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $9,904,759, an increase of $793,861 or 8.71 percent from the FY20 Approved Budget of $9,110,898. Personnel Costs comprise 44.44 percent of the budget for 61 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 58.70 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 55.56 percent of the FY21 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Thriving Youth and Families
• A Greener County
• Effective, Sustainable Government
• Safe Neighborhoods
• A Growing Economy

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY20 estimates reflect funding based on the FY20 approved budget. The FY21 and FY22 figures are performance targets based on the FY21 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY22.

Initiatives

• Six new events in Bethesda, provided via a new partnership with Montgomery County Parks, will be tailored for families with children and promote community cohesion. These events are free, will attract residents to downtown Bethesda, and will benefit local retailers and restaurants.
• The Urban Districts will employ a District Manager that will coordinate economic development within the Arts and Entertainment Districts. These Districts will become more attractive to new commerce as the District Manager promotes the many tax incentives available to businesses.
• The growth of downtown Silver Spring has necessitated the increased accentuation of sub-districts. Banners will be installed in Fenton Village of the Silver Spring Urban District to demarcate its location and affirm Fenton Village's brand. Fenton Village is a highly recognizable area, and the businesses located there will benefit from increased marketing.
• To address the lack of cohesive branding for the White Flint corridor, the County Executive recommends to introduce place-making and branding to the area. Banners and signage will demarcate the White Flint corridor in order to define the community and increase its economic viability.
• Ambassadors of the Urban Districts welcome and assist residents and visitors to the area. The Urban Districts have implemented an initiative to improve their visibility throughout the localized area.
• In partnership with the Office of Human Resources, the Silver Spring and Wheaton Urban Districts will hold joint staff training to reduce staff travel time and cost.
• Through a new contract, Silver Spring will be able improve the frequency and efficiency of trash collection and recycling.
• The Department of Transportation will provide staff in the Wheaton Urban District with driver training. The training will result in reduced car accidents that can harm citizens, damage property, require costly repairs, and reduce productivity.
• All Silver Spring Urban District staff will be trained in crisis intervention.
• The Wheaton Urban District has enhanced its relationship with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include the provision of litter collection services.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Reschedule Ambassador shifts and change their deployment to increase their presence during peak periods of foot traffic in Silver Spring. This innovation will improve Ambassador visibility and create a higher level of community engagement.

• Silver Spring will amend its contract with the Bethesda Urban Partnership include trash and recycling collection. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of trash collection and allow for reallocation of staff resources to other Urban District services.

  
  
• Work collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services, Police, and the Office of Human Resources to develop and implement a crisis intervention plan for Silver Spring's homeless population.

Program Descriptions

  Promotion of Community and Business Activities

This program enhances the quality of life in the Urban Districts and surrounding communities; fosters a strong, vibrant business climate within each Urban District; and creates a positive image and a sense of identity for the Districts. These goals are accomplished through sponsorship of community events that may include festivals,...

  Streetscape Maintenance

This program provides maintenance of, and improvement to, the streetscape amenities within each Urban District. Various service levels include litter collection, sidewalk maintenance, trash receptacle service at least three times a week, mowing and snow removal as needed, lighting maintenance, maintenance of planted/landscaped areas, and street sweeping....

  Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship

This program provides safeguards against property theft, vandalism, and personal security in the Silver Spring and Wheaton Urban Districts. The goal of the program is to provide an enhanced level of protection and reduce the perception of crime through the use of the Safe Team as the eyes and ears...

  Administration

This program provides staff support for contract administration, the Urban District Advisory Committees, and for the administration of Urban District corporations. This program also provides for budget preparation and monitoring, payment authorization, records maintenance, and the Bethesda Circulator contract....

  Sidewalk Repair

This program provides for the removal and replacement of deteriorated concrete and brick walks and curbs in the Urban Districts....

  Tree Maintenance

This program provides pruning, planting, fertilization, necessary spraying, replacement, watering, mulching, and tree base cleaning in the Urban Districts....