Montgomery County Maryland Operating Budget

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy, and healthy communities.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY27 Operating Budget for the Recycling and Resource Management is $198,107,311, an increase of $5,997,190 or 3.12 percent from the FY26 Approved Budget of $192,110,121. Personnel Costs comprise 9.06 percent of the budget for 76 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 116.34 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 90.94 percent of the FY27 budget.

The debt service for the Disposal Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is, therefore, not displayed in this section. To pay for the debt service, a transfer of funds from the Disposal Fund to the Debt Service Fund is required.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

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

A Greener County
Effective, Sustainable Government

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 FY26 estimates reflect funding based on the FY26 approved budget. The FY27 and FY28 figures are performance targets based on the FY27 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY28.

Initiatives

Plan to terminate the contract with the Resource Recovery Facility and end operations in January 2027.
Implement long-haul of waste to a landfill starting January 2027 while pursuing advanced waste processing initiatives to divert as much waste as possible from landfilling.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

Continued Montgomery County's food scraps recycling programs:
- Public: Offered four Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Off collection points at existing farmers markets. DEP's food scraps recycling program offers weekend drop-off sites in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Derwood, and Olney. Three sites operate year-round, one seasonally.
- Residential: Phase I and Phase II of the Single-Family Residential Curbside Food Scraps Recycling Pilot Program continued, allowing households in Silver Spring, Potomac, and Bethesda/Rockville to recycle millions of pounds of food scraps.
- Commercial: DEP supports businesses and government facilities with food scraps recycling through technical assistance, training, and program design.
Upgraded scale house information technology, relocated the cashier and vehicle processing operations, and installed new network equipment. Enhancements included a new scale weight display system, license plate and overhead cameras for better load verification, and a fifth processing station to improve efficiency and backup support.
Coordinated, hosted, and/or participated in recycling educational events across the community. Through these FY25 programs, DEP reached people directly and provided education and information on zero waste, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, buying recycled, grasscycling, composting, and food scraps diversion.

Program Descriptions

Administration and Support

The Strategic and Administrative Services (SAS) Division provides essential support to ensure the department operates efficiently, transparently, and strategically. SAS oversees Fiscal Management, including budget and financial planning, debt management, payroll, accounts receivable and payable, fixed assets, internal controls, compliance, and financial reporting. These functions ensure accountability and sound stewardship...

Materials and Collection

This program provides for collection of refuse from single family residences in the southern parts of the County (Subdistrict A) and the funds to secure, administer, monitor, and enforce contracts with private collectors for collection of residential recyclables for the entire County. It also responds to residents' service needs.In addition,...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY24	Actual FY25	Estimated FY26	Target FY27	Target FY28
Number of tons of Municipal Solid Waste accepted at the Transfer Station: Commercial and multi-family buildings	304,514	292,171	287,167	290,039	292,939
Number of business site visits to provide guidance and recycling support	7,988	4,491	6,366	6,282	5,713
Number of recycling informational events	274	375	281	310	322
Number of Multi-Family Building site visits to provide guidance and recycling support	2,568	1,724	2,315	2,202	2,080
Number of properties visited by recycling investigators to determine compliance with recycling laws and regulations	8,413	9,188	7,788	8,463	8,480
Average number of refuse collections missed per week, not picked up within 24 hours	12	10	12
Average number of recycling collections missed per week, not picked up within 24 hours	18	18	18

Disposal

This program provides for the operation of the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility (RRF). The RRF serves as the primary disposal facility for non-recycled waste generated in the County.Renewable energy in the form of electricity is generated and sold into the competitive energy market. This program also includes costs for...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY24	Actual FY25	Estimated FY26	Target FY27	Target FY28
Number of tons of County-wide yard trim and leaves collected	163,447	168,078	161,997	163,617	165,253
Number of tons of County-wide Commingled Recycling collected	31,885	48,850	31,136	33,467	33,802
Number of tons of County-wide Mixed Paper collected	108,382	86,406	109,796	110,894	112,003
Number of tons of County-wide Food Waste collected	14,444	21,894	20,000	20,500	20,500
Number of tons of County-wide Household Hazardous Waste collected	3,991	3,797	3,735	3,772	3,810
Number of tons of Municipal Solid Waste accepted at the Transfer Station: Residential, single family, and townhouse communities	190,642	197,756	199,757	201,755	203,772

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2027 RECOMMENDED Budget

Archives

Data

Budget Snapshot

198.1M FY27 Recommended
Operating Budget

116.3 Full Time
Equivalents

Budget Trends

Program Contacts

Contact Vicky Wan of the Recycling and Resource Management at 240-777-7722 or Richard H. Harris of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2795 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links

Montgomery County MD Home Page

Budget Summary

Title	Actual FY25	Budget FY26	Estimate FY26	Recommended FY27	%Chg Bud/Rec
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages	11326016.00	12117165.00	11730841.00	12492924.00	3.1
Employee Benefits	2935881.00	3580330.00	3476654.00	3733705.00	4.3
Solid Waste Disposal Personnel Costs	14261897.00	15697495.00	15207495.00	16226629.00	3.4
Operating Expenses	146656788.00	158078449.00	158078447.00	162770757.00	3.0
Capital Outlay	3855594.00	2064295.00	2064295.00	2531885.00	22.7
Debt Service Other	0.00	3304000.00	3304000.00	3128464.00	-5.3
Solid Waste Disposal Expenditures	164774279.00	179144239.00	178654237.00	184657735.00	3.1
PERSONNEL
Full-Time	72.00	73.00	73.00	72.00	-1.4
Part-Time	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	0.0
FTEs	106.12	107.56	107.56	106.58	-0.9
REVENUES
Other Licenses/Permits	15326.00	12000.00	12000.00	12000.00	0.0
Other Charges/Fees	267662.00	190000.00	190000.00	190000.00	0.0
Sale of Recycled Materials	6753312.00	6403034.00	6403034.00	5672911.00	-11.4
Solid Waste Disposal Fees/Operating Revenues	28181800.00	33551750.00	33551750.00	33106763.00	-1.3
Systems Benefit Charge	92488516.00	130142363.00	130142364.00	135185659.00	3.9
Other Fines/Forfeitures	41185.00	22000.00	22000.00	22000.00	0.0
Miscellaneous Revenues	302066.00	37000.00	37000.00	37000.00	0.0
Property Rentals	7268.00	4000.00	4000.00	4000.00	0.0
Investment Income	3710655.00	3293820.00	2803670.00	2216420.00	-32.7
Other Intergovernmental	122800.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Solid Waste Disposal Revenues	131890590.00	173655967.00	173165818.00	176446753.00	1.6

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages	1522417.00	1288507.00	1272499.00	1334096.00	3.5
Employee Benefits	353338.00	367985.00	363993.00	381661.00	3.7
Solid Waste Collection Personnel Costs	1875755.00	1656492.00	1636492.00	1715757.00	3.6
Operating Expenses	10297293.00	11309390.00	11309390.00	11733819.00	3.8
Solid Waste Collection Expenditures	12173048.00	12965882.00	12945882.00	13449576.00	3.7
PERSONNEL
Full-Time	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.00	0.0
Part-Time	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
FTEs	11.78	9.78	9.78	9.76	-0.2
REVENUES
Other Charges/Fees	25096.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Systems Benefit Charge	14891095.00	15000000.00	15000000.00	15057600.00	0.4
Investment Income	396638.00	601030.00	299690.00	236920.00	-60.6
Solid Waste Collection Revenues	15312829.00	15601030.00	15299690.00	15294520.00	-2.0

DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures	176947327.00	192110121.00	191600119.00	198107311.00	3.1
Total Full-Time Positions	76.00	77.00	77.00	76.00	-1.3
Total Part-Time Positions	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	0.0
Total FTEs	117.90	117.34	117.34	116.34	-0.9
Total Revenues	147203419.00	189256997.00	188465508.00	191741273.00	1.3

FY27 Recommended Changes

Title	Expenditures	FTEs
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
FY26 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION	179144239	107.56
Changes (with service impacts)
Add: Long-Haul Implementation: Six Months of Operating Costs for New Long-Haul Contract [Disposal]	43932000	0.00
Eliminate: Long-haul Implementation: Six Months of Savings from Ending Out of County Ash Haul [Disposal]	-4957049	0.00
Eliminate: Long-haul Implementation: Six Months of Operating Cost Savings from Closure of Resource Recovery Facility [Disposal]	-10976445	0.00
Eliminate: Long-haul Implementation: Savings on Capital Improvements from Resource Recovery Facility Contract Extension Early Termination [Disposal]	-28457938	0.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Long-Haul Implementation: Six Months of Resource Recovery Facility Contract Termination Fee [Disposal]	3600000	0.00
Increase Cost: Oaks Landfill and Gude Landfill Planning and Monitoring [Disposal]	787937	0.00
Increase Cost: Residential Recycling Collection Contracts [Materials and Collection]	783761	0.00
Increase Cost: Paper Recycling Equipment and Operations [Materials and Collection]	655276	0.00
Increase Cost: FY27 Compensation Adjustment	511230	0.00
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment	304212	0.00
Increase Cost: Recycling Center Operations [Materials and Collection]	192012	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY26 Personnel Costs	188082	0.00
Increase Cost: Residential Recycling Support Program [Materials and Collection]	111274	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY26 Compensation Increases	77972	0.00
Increase Cost: Yard Trim Composting Operations and Equipment [Materials and Collection]	46653	0.00
Increase Cost: Food Waste Scraps Collection Program [Materials and Collection]	33910	0.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail	25977	0.00
Increase Cost: Commercial Property Recycling Program [Materials and Collection]	20143	0.00
Increase Cost: Multifamily Recycling Program [Materials and Collection]	10329	0.00
Increase Cost: Recycling Outreach and Education [Materials and Collection]	7273	0.00
Increase Cost: Adjustment to Department of Finance Chargeback (Disposal Fund) [Administration and Support]	6290	0.00
Shift: Position from Collection Fund to Disposal Fund (Disposal Fund) [Administration and Support]	5427	0.02
Increase Cost: Two and a Half Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts [Administration and Support]	4772	0.00
Increase Cost: Yard Trim Reduction Program [Materials and Collection]	4402	0.00
Increase Cost: Support for Recycling Volunteers [Materials and Collection]	3365	0.00
Increase Cost: Adjustment to Department of General Services and Department of Housing and Community Affairs Chargeback [Administration and Support]	1207	0.00
Shift: Grants Management Program to Office of Grants Management [Administration and Support]	-18597	0.00
Decrease Cost: Administrative Information Technology Costs [Administration and Support]	-18795	0.00
Decrease Cost: Engineering, Planning, and Construction Support [Disposal]	-20677	0.00
Decrease Cost: Retirement Adjustment	-31132	0.00
Decrease Cost: Lapse Adjustment	-83647	0.00
Decrease Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment	-91908	0.00
Decrease Cost: Delete Long-term Vacancy (Program Manager II) [Materials and Collection]	-138798	-1.00
Decrease Cost: Debt Service Contribution [Administration and Support]	-175536	0.00
Decrease Cost: Transfer Station Operations [Disposal]	-329486	0.00
Decrease Cost: Zero Waste Strategy Implementation [Materials and Collection]	-500000	0.00
FY27 RECOMMENDED	184657735	106.58

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
FY26 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION	12965882	9.78
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Residential Refuse Collection Program [Materials and Collection]	418658	0.00
Increase Cost: FY27 Compensation Adjustment	48864	0.00
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment	26181	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY26 Personnel Costs	15014	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY26 Compensation Increases	3350	0.00
Increase Cost: Adjustment to Department of Finance Chargeback (Collection Fund) [Administration and Support]	2690	0.00
Decrease Cost: Retirement Adjustment	-2536	0.00
Decrease Cost: Printing and Mail	-3630	0.00
Shift: Position from Collection Fund to Disposal Fund (Collection Fund) [Administration and Support]	-5427	-0.02
Decrease Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment	-19470	0.00
FY27 RECOMMENDED	13449576	9.76

Program Summary

Program Name	FY26 APPR Expenditures	FY26 APPR FTEs	FY27 REC Expenditures	FY27 REC FTEs
Administration and Support	12588377	40.04	13054785	40.04
Disposal	99746580	30.15	102879475	29.15
Materials and Collection	79775164	47.15	82173051	47.15
Total	192110121	117.34	198107311	116.34

Charges to Other Departments

Charged Department	Charged Fund	FY26 Total$	FY26 FTES	FY27 Total$	FY27 FTES
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
Alcohol Beverage Services	Liquor	49584	0.00	39959	0.00
General Services	General Fund	956622	0.00	770925	0.00
Parking District Services	Bethesda Parking	184748	0.00	148884	0.00
Parking District Services	Silver Spring Parking	357949	0.00	288465	0.00
Parking District Services	Wheaton Parking	34640	0.00	27916	0.00
Total		1583543	0.00	1276149	0.00

Funding Parameter Items ($000s)

Title	FY27	FY28	FY29	FY30	FY31	FY32
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
EXPENDITURES
FY27 Recommended	184658.000000	184658.000000	184658.000000	184658.000000	184658.000000	184658.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Annualized Cost of Long Haul Operations	0.000000	49487.000000	35037.000000	36991.000000	38986.000000	41021.000000
The FY27 Recommended budget adds funding for 6 months of long haul operations. Funding is included here to annualize the cost for a full 12 months of long haul operations in FY28-32.
Organics Processing Facility Debt Service and Operations	0.000000	1833.000000	2359.000000	2910.000000	3500.000000	4129.000000
An organics processing facility is part of the County Executive's plan to transition away from the Resource Recovery Facility. Funding for service payments on bonds to construct the facility is added in FY28, and operating funding for the facility is added in FY29.
Remove Six Months of Ash Haul	0.000000	-12990.000000	-12990.000000	-12990.000000	-12990.000000	-12990.000000
The County Executive's FY27 Recommended budget funds operations of the ash haul for six months. This annualizes the ending of ash haul in FY28, removing all related funding in FY28.
Remove Six Months of Resource Recovery Facility Operating Costs	0.000000	-24904.000000	-24904.000000	-24904.000000	-24904.000000	-24904.000000
The County Executive's FY27 Recommended budget funds operations of the Resource Recovery Facility for six months. This annualizes the facility closure in FY28, removing all operating funding in FY28.
Resource Recovery Facility Termination Fee	0.000000	0.000000	-3600.000000	-3600.000000	-3600.000000	-3600.000000
The County Executive's FY27 Recommended budget assumes the termination fee in the contract with the Resource Recovery Facility ($7.2 million) is spread over the last six months of FY27 and the first six months of FY28, $3.6 million in each year. The funding is no longer needed in FY29.
Labor Contracts	0.000000	74.000000	74.000000	74.000000	74.000000	74.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures	184658.000000	198158.000000	180634.000000	183139.000000	185724.000000	188388.000000

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
EXPENDITURES
FY27 Recommended	13450.000000	13450.000000	13450.000000	13450.000000	13450.000000	13450.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts	0.000000	7.000000	7.000000	7.000000	7.000000	7.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures	13450.000000	13457.000000	13457.000000	13457.000000	13457.000000	13457.000000

Additional Documentation