The Prince George’s County Park and Planning Board — one of two local governing boards that make up the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) — will be hosting 2026 Budget Forums this fall to receive comments from constituents and prepare for the upcoming budgetary year.
The first meeting will be held on Oct. 6 at the Riverdale Prince George’s County Administration Building Auditorium and the second will be held on Oct. 13 at the Harmony Hall Arts Center in Fort Washington. Both meetings start at 7 p.m.
The MNCPPC and the Prince George’s County Council have had a turbulent relationship over the past year, particularly concerning the transfer of an estimated $39 million from the organization to the legislative body after the state budget explicitly banned such transfers.
“In Prince George’s County, the Commission receives a percentage of property taxes that are legally designated for parks, recreation, and planning services. The transfer of more than $39 million, by July 1, without submission of receipts or invoices, before any services have been provided, and without proper vetting through the Commission’s procurement process, raises serious concerns about legal authority and our ability to provide the services the residents of Prince George’s County expect from us,” read a June 10 statement from the MNCPPC.
At the time, MNCPPC said after “good-faith efforts to resolve,” challenges collaboratively, the bi-county government agency sought “court intervention to protect the public trust and ensure these resources are used as intended.”
“We remain committed to a lawful resolution that preserves essential services for the Prince George’s County community,” MNCPPC continued.
Judge Krystal Alves temporarily blocked this transfer in June, siding with MNCPPC and arguing that the County Council overstepped its authority.
Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D-At Large) sharply criticized the transfers and has spoken against the lack of fiscal accountability.
“We have nonprofits that do a great job under very tight budgets and they ask us for some help, and to the extent that we can, we should help them,” Ivey said in an interview with WJLA following the legal ruling. “But just to give a bunch of money to nonprofits because they’re your friends, I don’t think that’s right.”
With the case set to resume on Sept. 21, the County Council explained how the funds are generally handled.
“The resolution states that the transfer is carried out through the invoices and reimbursement process, which Park and Planning has always used as the longstanding process,” Oriadha said while discussing the legislation.
This bill passed by an 8-2 vote on Sep. 16, with Councilmembers Ivey and Sydney Harrison (D, At Large) opposing and Councilmember Edward P. Burroughs (D- District 8) absent from the vote.
“If I am questioning the process and how this is happening, then I’m sure residents are wondering the same thing, and that’s fair,” Harrison said in an interview with WJLA. “Trust is a sacred thing. It’s earned over time, but it can be lost very quickly. The actions we take on the Prince George’s County Council must ensure that every tax dollar is spent in a way that produces positive results for residents.”
To register to speak at the Budget Forums, visit this link. To submit documentation as a part of the forum, email information here.
