Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations is to represent County interests at the regional, State, and Federal levels to: prepare the annual State Legislative Program; prepare the annual Federal priorities request; and to be the liaison with State government and the State and Congressional delegations. The Office of Intergovernmental Relations is the lead Executive Branch agency representing the County in the Maryland Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. The work of the office is guided by the fundamental vision of a more equitable and inclusive Montgomery County.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY25 Operating Budget for the Office of Intergovernmental Relations is $1,010,462, an increase of $54,074 or 5.65 percent from the FY24 Approved Budget of $956,388. Personnel Costs comprise 88.42 percent of the budget for four full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 4.30 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 11.58 percent of the FY25 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
• Easier Commutes
• An Affordable, Welcoming County for a Lifetime
• Safe Neighborhoods
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable). The FY24 estimates reflect funding based on the FY24 approved budget. The FY25 and FY26 figures are performance targets based on the FY25 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY26.

Initiatives

• Continue to enhance collaboration with the County Executive; County Council; County departments; independent agencies (Montgomery County Public Schools, WSSC Water, Montgomery County Revenue Authority, Montgomery College, Housing Opportunities Commission); and various Boards, Committees, and Commissions to enhance (1) the process for developing Federal and State priorities to maximize opportunities; and (2) Federal and State advocacy efforts regarding legal, legislative, fiscal, and regulatory matters.
• Continue to enhance the Office of Intergovernmental Relations' new Legislative Tracking System (Engagifii) that was implemented for the 2023 legislative session, to maximize its workflow management and public information capabilities.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Narrowed the types of requests for information made by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations to Executive and Legislative staff to lessen the workload of legislation-related policy and fiscal informational requests.
• Continued to strengthen collaboration between the County and the Congressional delegation to establish a more efficient process to secure Federal earmarks.

• Continued to enhance outreach and training for Executive and Legislative staff liaisons regarding the new Legislative Tracking System (Engagifii) to maximize opportunities for higher level collaboration and efficiency.

Program Descriptions

  Intergovernmental Relations

The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) advocates on behalf of the County before the Maryland General Assembly, Governor, and State administrative agencies, task forces, and committees. It responds to legislation, regulations, or other policy issues involving nearby counties and states, municipalities within the County, regional agencies, the District of Columbia,...