Back from a seven-week break

The Montgomery County Council returns Tuesday to a packed agenda: tax credits, contested appointments and the fate of the county's trash incinerator.

“It will grapple with proposed tax credits, controversial appointments and the future of the county's trash incinerator, among other issues.”

Jawando's seat in question

At-large member Will Jawando is recovering at home after a heart attack and surgery. He says he'll return soon, but whether he joins Tuesday's meeting was still unclear Friday.

The clock runs out in December

Current members' four-year terms expire in December. Anything they want on the books has to pass before a new council is sworn in.

“it's crunch time to get bills passed before a new council is sworn in”

Nine bills, three tax credits

Council members plan to introduce nine bills Tuesday. Three come from Kate Stewart, who says they answer rising financial pressure on county families.

Who the credits would reach

One bill boosts the county supplement for homeowners earning $106,800 or less. Another grants $2,500 to unionized school employees. A third gives $500 per child to parents making $15,000 or less.

A veto to override

The council voted 10-0 to reappoint James Hedrick to the planning board. County Executive Marc Elrich vetoed it, and the 11 members will vote in coming weeks on overriding him.

The incinerator decision looms

After 10 public hearings, environmental officials will lay out replacement options. Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez wants a decision by Thanksgiving, and residents are already frustrated.

Gaithersburg braces for a shuffle

If Mayor Jud Ashman wins the District 3 county seat in November, he resigns Nov. 9. The City Council would pick a new mayor from its own five members and appoint a replacement by Oct. 2 applications.

“no one knows the role and the issues and the culture here better than my five City Council colleagues do”