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Mission Statement

Urban Districts support and enhance the County's unincorporated downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Friendship Heights) 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.

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Budget Overview

The total recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $13,198,424, an increase of $416,381 or 3.26 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $12,782,043. Personnel Costs comprise 44.43 percent of the budget for 61 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 59.70 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 55.57 percent of the FY26 budget.

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
  • Safe Neighborhoods
  • A Growing Economy
  • Thriving Youth and Families

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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 FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

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Initiatives

  • The Bethesda Urban District will produce a new public street art installation to downtown Bethesda by covering the intersection of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue. The art installation will enhance the pedestrian crossing, and the original design will be made by a local artist.
  • The Bethesda Urban District will make modifications to the Metro Bus Bay that will include light features and art installations to the columns and a large vinyl wrap around the signal boxes.
  • The Friendship Heights Urban District convenes a Youth Advisory Council, engaging high school students in urban design and placemaking initiatives. The group focuses on neighborhood history, creating third spaces, and pedestrian experience.
  • The Friendship Heights Urban District installed two bright and colorful murals at the Wisconsin Circle Bus turnaround.
  • The Wheaton Urban District is advancing a placemaking initiative to enhance public spaces and foster community engagement. Through strategic activations, including weekend pop-ups, these efforts create a dynamic and inclusive urban environment.
  • As part of its commitment to Vision Zero, the Wheaton Urban District is enhancing pedestrian safety through targeted infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of improved LED lighting and accessibility enhancements throughout the district.

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Innovations and Productivity Improvements

  • The Urban Districts created a more efficient process for collecting Optional Method Development (OMD) fees by switching from an invoiced-based payment system to direct inclusion on property tax bills. The resulting action led to an increase in revenue for the County and cut down on man hours by ensuring future collections be processed through the capabilities of the Department of Finance.
  • The Bethesda Urban District increased civic engagement by hosting National Night Out and the Drone as a First Responder Townhall. Future engagement efforts will focus on children and families through community partnerships for a summer event.
  • The Friendship Heights Urban District convenes a business public safety program with regular cross jurisdictional security meetings for business and community members with Montgomery County Police Department, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, and Metro Transit police.
  • The Friendship Heights Urban District enlivened vacant retail with gallery and retail pop ups, including a temporary bookstore at Wisconsin Place.
  • The Wheaton Urban District implemented a seven-day-a-week program for litter collection, trash removal, and recycling services, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable public space.
  • The Silver Spring Urban District leads strategic marketing initiatives, including a comprehensive overhaul of the Urban District website, to improve engagement, accessibility, and functionality for diverse audiences. Additionally, integrated messaging across social media platforms and newsletters showcases local businesses and fosters a stronger connection with a broad group of stakeholders.
  • The Silver Spring Urban District emphasizes interagency collaboration and coordination on key initiatives, notably leading efforts to update the Silver Spring Urban District's Streetscape Standards. Silver Spring Urban District works across a network of County agencies and service providers to enhance support for the unhoused community accessing resources at Progress Place.

Program Descriptions

  Promotion of Community and Business Activities

This program enhances the quality of life in the Urban Districts and surrounding communities by fostering 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...

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  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....

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  Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship

This program promotes clean, safe, and welcoming Urban Districts through uniformed aides. The program provides visual deterrents and/or trained observer documentation for theft, vandalism, and violations in the Silver Spring and Wheaton Urban Districts. Aides also act as ambassadors by providing information, directions, first aid and CPR, and roadside assistance...

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  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....

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Budget Trends
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Program Contacts

Contact Merlie Deynes of the Urban Districts at 240-537-8691 or Katherine Bryant-Higgins of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2764 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links
Budget Summary
TitleActual
FY24
Budget
FY25
Estimate
FY25
Recommended
FY26
%Chg
Bud/Rec
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages59899.0091746.00 90090.00 96802.005.5
Employee Benefits17186.0026792.00 30247.00 33132.0023.7
Urban District - Bethesda Personnel Costs77085.00118538.00 120337.00 129934.009.6
Operating Expenses3413406.003681479.00 3681083.00 3891317.005.7
Urban District - Bethesda Expenditures3490491.003800017.00 3801420.00 4021251.005.8
PERSONNEL
Full-Time1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
REVENUES
Property Tax813121.00981572.00 926703.00 979921.00-0.2
Optional Method Development209132.00183975.00 233192.00 183975.000.0
Urban District - Bethesda Revenues1022253.001165547.00 1159895.00 1163896.00-0.1
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages2457791.002320920.00 2636381.00 2464312.006.2
Employee Benefits765864.00839394.00 896940.00 938702.0011.8
Urban District - Silver Spring Personnel Costs3223655.003160314.00 3533321.00 3403014.007.7
Operating Expenses1165352.001446823.00 1446844.00 1477088.002.1
Urban District - Silver Spring Expenditures4389007.004607137.00 4980165.00 4880102.005.9
PERSONNEL
Full-Time38.0037.00 37.00 37.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs35.0034.00 34.00 34.000.0
REVENUES
Property Tax991335.001112440.00 1062852.00 1125009.001.1
Optional Method Development139467.00120000.00 120000.00 120000.000.0
Other Charges & Fees50000.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Urban District - Silver Spring Revenues1180802.001232440.00 1182852.00 1245009.001.0
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages1551852.001839351.00 1734295.00 1688515.00-8.2
Employee Benefits486498.00587241.00 559195.00 641998.009.3
Urban District - Wheaton Personnel Costs2038350.002426592.00 2293490.00 2330513.00-4.0
Operating Expenses1091485.001330779.00 1230497.00 1349040.001.4
Urban District - Wheaton Expenditures3129835.003757371.00 3523987.00 3679553.00-2.1
PERSONNEL
Full-Time23.0023.00 23.00 23.000.0
Part-Time1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
FTEs24.7024.70 24.70 24.700.0
REVENUES
Property Tax273890.00348056.00 288791.00 305623.00-12.2
Optional Method Development1641.000.00 10401.00 0.000.0
Miscellaneous Revenues15.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Urban District - Wheaton Revenues275546.00348056.00 299192.00 305623.00-12.2
 
FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS URBAN DISTRICT
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Employee Benefits0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Friendship Heights Urban District Personnel Costs0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Operating Expenses771898.00617518.00 617518.00 617518.000.0
Friendship Heights Urban District Expenditures771898.00617518.00 617518.00 617518.000.0
PERSONNEL
Full-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
REVENUES
Commercial District Charge0.00617518.00 617518.00 617518.000.0
Friendship Heights Urban District Revenues0.00617518.00 617518.00 617518.000.0
 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures11781231.0012782043.00 12923090.00 13198424.003.3
Total Full-Time Positions62.0061.00 61.00 61.000.0
Total Part-Time Positions1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
Total FTEs60.7059.70 59.70 59.700.0
Total Revenues2478601.003363561.00 3259457.00 3332046.00-0.9
FY26 Recommended Changes
TitleExpendituresFTEs
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION38000171.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Bethesda Urban Partnership Contract [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]1968550.00
Re-align: Component Unit Contract (Bethesda) [Streetscape Maintenance]1376090.00
Re-align: Component Unit Contract (Bethesda) [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]1189560.00
Re-align: Move Component Unit Contract Expenses from Administration to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Streetscape Maintenance]608470.00
Re-align: Move Funds from Administration to Promotion of Community and Business Activities to Support Conferences and Community Initiatives (Bethesda) [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]185070.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail Adjustment113870.00
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment78230.00
Re-align: Move Miscellaneous Operating Expenses from Administration to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Streetscape Maintenance]75720.00
Re-align: Move Maintenance Expenses from Promotion of Community and Business Activities to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Streetscape Maintenance]64280.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment21280.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs18910.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases16820.00
Decrease Cost: Risk Management Adjustment-5320.00
Re-align: Move Miscellaneous Operating Expenses from Promotion of Community and Business Activities to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]-64280.00
Re-align: Move Miscellaneous Operating Expenses from Administration to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Administration]-75720.00
Re-align: Move Funds from Administration to Promotion of Community and Business Activities to Support Conferences and Community Initiatives (Bethesda) [Administration]-185070.00
Re-align: Move Component Unit Contract Expenses from Administration to Streetscape Maintenance (Bethesda) [Administration]-608470.00
Re-align: Component Unit Contract (Bethesda) [Administration]-1189560.00
Re-align: Component Unit Contract (Bethesda) [Streetscape Maintenance]-1376090.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED40212511.00
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION460713734.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Shift: Inter-Program Personnel Reallocation (Silver Spring) [Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship ]2607063.00
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment1569580.00
Restore: One-Time Lapse Adjustment (Silver Spring)1081910.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases769080.00
Increase Cost: Overtime Adjustment (Silver Spring)699200.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment308750.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment109680.00
Decrease Cost: Risk Management Adjustment-6100.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs-21340.00
Decrease Cost: Lapse Adjustment (Silver Spring)-699200.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY25-1081910.00
Shift: Inter-Program Personnel Reallocation (Silver Spring) [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]-260706-3.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED488010234.00
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION375737124.70
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Shift: Inter-Program Personnel Reallocation (Wheaton) [Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship ]3457014.00
Increase Cost: Lapse Adjustment (Wheaton)1179070.00
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment1088020.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases447310.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment178110.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment48690.00
Increase Cost: Three Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts (Wheaton) [Administration]9270.00
Decrease Cost: Risk Management Adjustment-4770.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY25-1657210.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs-2066670.00
Shift: Inter-Program Personnel Reallocation (Wheaton) [Promotion of Community and Business Activities]-345701-4.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED367955324.70
 
FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS URBAN DISTRICT
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION6175180.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED6175180.00
Program Summary
Program NameFY25 APPR
Expenditures
FY25 APPR
FTEs
FY26 REC
Expenditures
FY26 REC
FTEs
Administration30674645.5027345814.50
Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship 211595718.75271714824.75
Promotion of Community and Business Activities484758535.45494833630.45
Streetscape Maintenance27510370.0027983590.00
Total1278204359.701319842459.70
Charges to Other Departments
Charged DepartmentCharged FundFY25
Total$
FY25
FTES
FY26
Total$
FY26
FTES
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
Parking District ServicesSilver Spring Parking1652303.002801933.00
Funding Parameter Items ($000s)
TitleFY26FY27FY28FY29FY30FY31
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended4021.0000004021.0000004021.0000004021.0000004021.0000004021.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts0.0000001.0000001.0000001.0000001.0000001.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures4021.0000004022.0000004022.0000004022.0000004022.0000004022.000000
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended4880.0000004880.0000004880.0000004880.0000004880.0000004880.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts0.00000028.00000028.00000028.00000028.00000028.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures4880.0000004908.0000004908.0000004908.0000004908.0000004908.000000
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended3680.0000003680.0000003680.0000003680.0000003680.0000003680.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts0.00000016.00000016.00000016.00000016.00000016.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures3680.0000003696.0000003696.0000003696.0000003696.0000003696.000000
 
FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS URBAN DISTRICT
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Subtotal Expenditures618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000618.000000