11.1.24 Montgomery County FY2026 Operating Budget Forum in Chinese Successfully Held at CCACC

"Montgomery County FY2026 Operating Budget Forum in Chinese" was successfully held on Wednesday, October 23, at 7 p.m. in the CCACC Art Gallery, attracting nearly one hundred residents from various Asian community organizations who participated enthusiastically.

Detailed Explanation by County Executive

The forum opened humorously by Dr. Yuchi Huang, CCACC Chairman of the Board, who introduced Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and briefly presented CCACC's important role in serving the Asian community and promoting cultural exchange.

During the forum, County Executive Elrich provided a detailed explanation of the two main types of budgets in county government finance: the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget. He discussed the current financial challenges and budget pressures, including the trends and issues related to the increase in Transfer and Recordation Tax Revenues from Fiscal Year 2013 to Fiscal Year 2025.

Elrich also shared his experiences leading a team on visits to several Asian countries. He expressed his hope to foster collaboration between Montgomery County and Asian businesses, aiming to build closer and friendlier relationships. He noted the county's diverse community and encouraged the further promotion of Asian culture and customs in Montgomery County to enhance understanding and communication among residents of different ethnic backgrounds.

Attendees Actively Asked Questions

At the forum, each questioner was allotted two minutes to speak. The first to ask a question was Ms. Kate Lu, Director of CCACC Health Center. Following her, representatives from the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), Korean organizations, and other Asian community organizations took turns addressing the county executive regarding issues related to the rights of the Asian community. Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li, former Executive Director of CCACC and current Director of CCACC Sports, also raised concerns about challenges in healthcare and elder services. The county executive patiently responded to each question, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that the needs of the Asian community are fully considered in future policies and resource allocations, with the aim of enhancing overall community welfare.

"Montgomery County FY2026 Operating Budget Forum" has held a total of ten sessions since September, with seven conducted in English and two special sessions in non-English languages, specifically Spanish and Chinese. This forum marks the county executive's third consecutive year choosing CCACC as the venue for the Chinese forum, demonstrating his value in the Chinese community and underscoring CCACC's role as a vital platform for the Asian community—an important place for promoting community development and encouraging public participation.

(Article by CCACC Administrative Office)

CCACC staff took a group photo with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (fourth from the left in the back row) at CCACC Art Gallery.

The participants warmly welcomed County Executive Marc Elrich to the stage.

Dr. Yuchi Huang, CCACC Chairman of the Board (first on the right in the front row), opened the event with humor. Montgomery County government staff set up video streaming equipment on-site to facilitate online viewing for residents.

Questioners lined up to speak during the forum.