Montgomery area leaders to meet Thursday about how to use next round of COVID money

The public can listen in this week as the Montgomery County Commission, the Montgomery City Council and the mayor discuss plans and priorities for an $87 million pool of federal money.

The city and county, working with a team of consultants, have decided to work together on the allocations and pool their money to make a wider impact. The meeting will start at 4 p.m. Thursday in the County Commons, Annex 1, at 100 South Lawrence St.

At a previous public meeting on July 11, area leaders set priorities for a second round of spending, including street cameras, outdoor trails, broadband access, youth sports facility upgrades and modernization of community centers. They also gave updates the status of projects that were under way. The Montgomery City Council officially signed off on the spending plans later in the month.

Members of the public were told at the July 11 meeting that leaders would not take questions. They've said they will host a series of neighborhood events later to discuss specific plans and get feedback.

However, County Commissioner Isaiah Sankey said he's not aware of any "official position or rule" that would deny the right to ask a question during the planning meetings. "I certainly did not agree to any denial of the opportunity to engage the public in a meaningful manner," Sankey said.

You can see more at montgomerythrive.org.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.