Commission to Address Prince George’s County’s Structural Deficit and Provide Policy Recommendations to the County Council and County Executive

The Prince George’s County Council announces the members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Addressing Prince George’s County’s Structural Deficit, established byCouncil Resolution 26-2015 as a part of the approved FY 2016 County Budget.  The commission will convene for the first time in early September.

The Blue Ribbon Commission is charged with recommending policies to the County Council and County Executive over the next year that will address the County’s structural deficit – the imbalance caused when normal government spending exceeds tax revenues on an annual basis.  The commission will collect, review and discuss comparative budget data and information regarding Prince George’s County’s fiscal health; policies and practices that affect Prince George’s County’s revenue structure and the strength of its tax base; the structure and fiscal dynamics of Prince George’s County’s government; and feedback from community stakeholders concerning the County’s budget and tax structure.

Prince George’s County Council Chairman Mel Franklin (D) – District 9, says the Blue Ribbon Commission was established to directly address the County’s longstanding structural deficit and related fiscal challenges.

“Our residents have made it clear that they want a greater level of confidence and accountability about how their tax dollars are being spent, and the establishment of the Blue Ribbon Commission brings us one step closer to that goal. After careful consideration, we have assembled a group of talented Prince George’s County residents and experts with considerable expertise in the areas of budget, finance and public policy and look forward to the reports of the Commission and their recommendations in the coming year.”

The Blue Ribbon Commission consists of 15 voting members appointed by the County Council in consultation with the County Executive.

The Blue Ribbon Commission members are David C. Harrington representing the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce; James R. Estepp representing the Greater PrinceGeorge’s Business Roundtable; Desiree Callender representing the Prince George ‘s County Association of Realtors; Jamal I. Miller (MSEA UNISERV Director/Prince George’s County Educators’ Association) and Gino Renne (UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO) representing affiliates of organized labor; David Van Dyke (County Auditor) and Turkessa Green (Audit Manager) representing the County’s Office of Audits and Investigations; and Terri Bacote-Charles (Director) and Amber Hendricks (OMB staff and Special Assistant toDCAO for Budget, Finance and Administration) representing the County’s Office of Management and Budget. The County Council has appointed the following 6 citizens to serve on the Commission: Earl Adams, Jr., Esq.; Henry W. Mosley, CPA; John Rogard Tabori; Ron L. Watson, Ph.D.; Sherman L. Ragland, II; and Mark E. Tomassoni, Ph.D. Earl Adams, Jr. will serve as Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission. Council Vice-Chair Derrick Leon Davis (D) – District 6 will serve as the Council’s non-voting ex-officio member, and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Budget, Finance & Administration, Thomas Himler will serve as the County Executive’s non-voting ex-officio member.

Commission Chair Adams says the commission has critical work ahead.

“Working with my fellow commissioners, we will study the issues causing the County’s budget challenges and identify strategies that will protect its future fiscal health.  Ensuring that the County adopts sustainable fiscal policies must be a priority of every resident of the County if we want to ensure our economic success and protect our quality of life.  I am pleased to Chair this commission and work closely with committed and experienced individuals who want to help the County get on a strong fiscal footing in order to position it for a brighter, stronger future.”

Blue Ribbon Commission members will serve a term of one year.