About Us

OLO writes research reports assigned by the County Council. These reports are based on Councilmember interests and ideas. Research ideas can also come from other County agencies and community partners. Reports typically focus on different parts of the County government such as schools, transportation, public safety, and health care among others. See OLO’s Work Program for research projects assigned to OLO for the current year.

Research methods used by OLO staff include:

• Literature reviews; 
• Review of relevant budgets, laws, regulations, policies, and practices;  
• Program evaluations; 
• Data analysis; and
• Interviews with County staff, community partners, and staff from other communities.

See OLO’s published reports.

OLO writes impact statements that explain the expected impacts of proposed County laws. Impact statements look at how proposed laws could affect the climate, the economy, and racial equity and social justice in the County. They are usually published within 21 days after the Council introduces a bill or zoning text amendment. Read more about each type of impact statement below.

Climate Assessments. OLO writes a Climate Assessment for each bill introduced by the Council. A Climate Assessment describes how a proposed law may affect the County’s work to address and respond to climate change. The analysis looks at how a proposed law may change the County’s greenhouse gas emissions. It also looks at how it may affect the County’s community resilience. Bill 3-22

Economic Impact Statements (EIS). OLO writes an EIS for each bill introduced by the Council. An EIS describes how a proposed law may affect the finances of residents and private organizations, and the County’s economy. The analysis looks at how a proposed law may change the workforce, taxes, property values, and other factors. Bill 10-19

Racial Equity and Social Justice Impact Statements (RESJIS). OLO writes an RESJIS for each bill and zoning text amendment introduced by the Council. An RESJIS describes how a proposed law or zoning change may affect racial equity and social justice in the County. The analysis looks at how a proposed law may affect community members by race and ethnicity. It also looks at how it may affect racial and social inequities and disparities in the County. Bill 27-19, Bill 44-20

County law requires the County Council to hire a certified public accounting (CPA) firm to inspect funds that the County Government collects and spends each year. OLO supervises the CPA firm for the County Council. The contract requires the CPA firm to audit:

• The financial statements of the County Government;
• The financial statements of the County’s retirement plans;
• The Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust; and
• The County’s spending of federal funds.

OLO also helps share information between the Council’s Audit Committee, the Inspector General’s Office, and the County Executive’s Internal Audit Office.

OLO also:

• Writes an annual report with data on the County minimum wage and the local economy;
• Participates in the County’s Revenue Estimating Group;
• Evaluates the work of the Bethesda Urban Partnership every five years;
• Works with other Council staff on the impact of changes to employees’ pay and benefits; and 
• Evaluates the Office of Management and Budget at the Council’s request.