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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.

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Budget Overview

The total approved FY24 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $11,547,185, an increase of $1,152,573 or 11.09 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $10,394,612. Personnel Costs comprise 43.55 percent of the budget for 62 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 60.70 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 56.45 percent of the FY24 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 Growing Economy
  • A Greener County
  • Safe Neighborhoods
  • Effective, Sustainable Government

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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 FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

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Initiatives

  • The Bethesda Urban District is the first area in Montgomery County to provide street level recycling education signs. Bethesda Green designed the signs in collaboration with the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Four signs will be installed at recycling bins in high traffic areas.
  • The Bethesda Urban District, at the request of constituents, re-introduced a Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Park in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bethesda Urban Partnership.
  • The Silver Spring Urban District worked closely with contractors to enhance tree beds southbound on Georgia Ave using feature beds for each block. Working with local ecologists and contractors, the District has developed a Spring 2023 planting that further enhances these planting areas using native plants that should improve the local ecosystem for native wildlife and insects. The effort is also intended to aid in the management and reduction of pest and invasive species.
  • The Silver Spring Urban District transformed Ellsworth Place into a community gathering spot that featured Silver Spring's breweries. The initiative created a welcoming environment for families, local businesses, and visitors to mix and mingle while enjoying and bolstering the flagship live concert on Veterans Plaza.
  • The Silver Spring Urban District reinitiated its Safe Escort program as a service to the community. This service, and several specialized trainings for District staff on de-escalation, affords the Safe Team of the Urban District the opportunity to serve as a vital resource and to assuage local concerns around safety and crime.
  • The Wheaton Urban District worked to repair 250 square feet of curb and gutter, 2,400 square feet of sidewalk, and made repairs to the Marian Fryer Stage. Sidewalk improvements will continue into 2023 to promote greater pedestrian accessibility within the Wheaton Urban District.

  • The Wheaton Urban District hosted eleven (11) events to promote local businesses through art and entertainment. FY2023 Summer Concerts Series will also feature the specially curated concerts by Chuck Levin in honor of the music store's 65th anniversary.

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Innovations and Productivity Improvements

  • The Bethesda Urban District re-designed the Woodmont Streetery as a shared space for bike lanes, vehicular traffic, and public activity. The re-design solves multiple problems by using input from local residents and businesses to improve the use of space around community goals
  • In an effort to reduce paper waste and increase staff productivity, the Silver Spring Urban District implemented a tablet-based technology service to track and enter the information exchanged for lockout and jumpstart services. The technology also allows staff the ability to handle, process, and create 311 calls for service in-real time.
  • The Wheaton Urban District successfully implemented a one to one recycling receptacle ratio to improve recycling rates in Wheaton.
  • The Wheaton Urban District converted fifty (50) percent of fleet vehicles from gas-powered to fully electric and will complete transition from gas-powered equipment to electric-powered equipment in FY24.
  • The Wheaton Urban District partnered with One Montgomery Green in support of the Wheaton Sustainability Innovation Zone to build and maintain sustainable innovation ecosystems for climate and energy technologies.

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,...

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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 Yvette Torres of the Urban Districts at 240.777.8044 or Seamus McNamara of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2755 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links
Budget Summary
TitleActual
FY22
Budget
FY23
Estimate
FY23
Approved
FY24
%Chg
Bud/App
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages72045.0084673.00 73456.00 93047.009.9
Employee Benefits19906.0027110.00 22840.00 29631.009.3
Urban District - Bethesda Personnel Costs91951.00111783.00 96296.00 122678.009.7
Operating Expenses3126319.003304832.00 3277902.00 3456822.004.6
Urban District - Bethesda Expenditures3218270.003416615.00 3374198.00 3579500.004.8
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 Tax735784.00813096.00 816079.00 836546.002.9
Optional Method Development234133.00183975.00 183975.00 183975.000.0
Urban District - Bethesda Revenues969917.00997071.00 1000054.00 1020521.002.4
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages1825992.002016981.00 1914966.00 2205270.009.3
Employee Benefits614946.00750552.00 637686.00 786280.004.8
Urban District - Silver Spring Personnel Costs2440938.002767533.00 2552652.00 2991550.008.1
Operating Expenses1297844.001148032.00 1348032.00 1271735.0010.8
Urban District - Silver Spring Expenditures3738782.003915565.00 3900684.00 4263285.008.9
PERSONNEL
Full-Time38.0038.00 38.00 38.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs35.0035.00 35.00 35.000.0
REVENUES
Property Tax944293.001058586.00 1022997.00 1049134.00-0.9
Optional Method Development179061.00120000.00 120000.00 120000.000.0
Facility Rental Fees-750.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Urban District - Silver Spring Revenues1122604.001178586.00 1142997.00 1169134.00-0.8
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages1290288.001384792.00 1330014.00 1408224.001.7
Employee Benefits475818.00503819.00 473143.00 506523.000.5
Urban District - Wheaton Personnel Costs1766106.001888611.00 1803157.00 1914747.001.4
Operating Expenses1069268.001173821.00 1227155.00 1172135.00-0.1
Urban District - Wheaton Expenditures2835374.003062432.00 3030312.00 3086882.000.8
PERSONNEL
Full-Time22.0022.00 22.00 23.004.6
Part-Time1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
FTEs22.7024.70 24.70 24.700.0
REVENUES
Property Tax236556.00293914.00 264315.00 270858.00-7.8
Urban District - Wheaton Revenues236556.00293914.00 264315.00 270858.00-7.8
 
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 Expenses0.000.00 0.00 617518.000.0
Friendship Heights Urban District Expenditures0.000.00 0.00 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 Charge0.000.00 0.00 617518.00
Friendship Heights Urban District Revenues0.000.00 0.00 617518.000.0
 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures9792426.0010394612.00 10305194.00 11547185.0011.1
Total Full-Time Positions61.0061.00 61.00 62.001.6
Total Part-Time Positions1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
Total FTEs58.7060.70 60.70 60.700.0
Total Revenues2329077.002469571.00 2407366.00 3078031.0024.6
FY24 Approved Changes
TitleExpendituresFTEs
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
FY23 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION34166151.00
Changes (with service impacts)
Enhance: Bethesda Urban Partnership Contract Adjustment [Administration]1274350.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment234060.00
Increase Cost: FY24 Compensation Adjustment60000.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Compensation Increases51170.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail11490.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY23 Personnel Costs-2220.00
FY24 APPROVED35795001.00
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
FY23 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION391556535.00
Changes (with service impacts)
Reduce: Increase FY24 lapse based on vacancies-156030.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Compensation Increases2007430.00
Increase Cost: FY24 Compensation Adjustment1090130.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment1001370.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Personnel Costs986800.00
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment235660.00
Decrease Cost: Retirement Adjustment-44760.00
Re-align: One-time Budget Adjustment to Reflect Higher Than Expected Vacant Positions-1643400.00
FY24 APPROVED426328535.00
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
FY23 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION306243224.70
Changes (with service impacts)
Reduce: Increase FY24 lapse based on vacancies-156030.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY23 Compensation Increases1241140.00
Increase Cost: FY24 Compensation Adjustment876380.00
Increase Cost: Risk Management Adjustment297070.00
Decrease Cost: Retirement Adjustment-21040.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY23 Personnel Costs-35690.00
Decrease Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment-313930.00
Re-align: One-time Budget Adjustment to Reflect Higher Than Expected Vacant Positions-1643400.00
FY24 APPROVED308688224.70
 
FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS URBAN DISTRICT
Changes (with service impacts)
Add: Friendship Heights Urban District [Administration]6175180.00
FY24 APPROVED6175180.00
Program Summary
Program NameFY23 APPR
Expenditures
FY23 APPR
FTEs
FY24 APPR
Expenditures
FY24 APPR
FTEs
Administration19439588.0026250896.00
Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship 139473514.00203969219.50
Promotion of Community and Business Activities467586638.70446337035.20
Streetscape Maintenance23800530.0024190340.00
Total1039461260.701154718560.70
Charges to Other Departments
Charged DepartmentCharged FundFY23
Total$
FY23
FTES
FY24
Total$
FY24
FTES
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
Parking District ServicesSilver Spring Parking1652303.001652303.00
Funding Parameter Items ($000s)
TitleFY24FY25FY26FY27FY28FY29
URBAN DISTRICT - BETHESDA
EXPENDITURES
FY24 Approved3580.0000003580.0000003580.0000003580.0000003580.0000003580.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts0.0000002.0000002.0000002.0000002.0000002.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures3580.0000003582.0000003582.0000003582.0000003582.0000003582.000000
 
URBAN DISTRICT - SILVER SPRING
EXPENDITURES
FY24 Approved4263.0000004263.0000004263.0000004263.0000004263.0000004263.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Restore One-Time Lapse Increase0.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000
Labor Contracts0.00000098.00000098.00000098.00000098.00000098.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures4263.0000004541.0000004541.0000004541.0000004541.0000004541.000000
 
URBAN DISTRICT - WHEATON
EXPENDITURES
FY24 Approved3087.0000003087.0000003087.0000003087.0000003087.0000003087.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Restore One-Time Lapse Increase0.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000180.000000
Labor Contracts0.00000072.00000072.00000072.00000072.00000072.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures3087.0000003339.0000003339.0000003339.0000003339.0000003339.000000