The Takoma Park City Council is reviewing the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which was presented by City Manager Rob DiSpirito on March 25. The proposal keeps the current property tax rate unchanged at .5522 cents per $100 of assessed value, marking what would be the fourth consecutive year without an increase if approved.
The decision to maintain the existing rate comes as assessed property values have risen, resulting in projected real property tax revenue of $17,678,334 for FY2027 compared to $17,135,463 for FY2026. This represents a 3.17% increase due mainly to higher assessments determined by the State of Maryland.
“My staff and I approached this budget by looking for cost efficiencies: holding the line on expenses where we could, in the face of inflationary cost increases for the many expenses that we do not control,” writes DiSpirito in his budget transmittal letter. “Our residents and employees aided us in that efficiency effort, via budget surveys and the community Budget Town Forum that we sponsored last Fall, for which we are grateful. Staff has also been actively in the hunt for any new sources of revenue, including a continued emphasis on outside grants.”
DiSpirito said his team worked with financial consultants and the Government Finance Officers Association to forecast a balanced budget. With American Rescue Plan Act funds no longer available, planned General Fund surplus will support former ARPA-funded projects such as Community Connectors and Police Department Dispatch improvements. The Red-Light camera and Stop Sign camera programs are now fully operational and contributing additional revenue.
Key funding priorities outlined include emergency rental assistance; street rehabilitation; sidewalk design and construction; small business grants; equipment replacement reserves funded at $1.2 million; local supplements to homeowner property tax credits; community event grants; quality-of-life initiatives; recreational scholarships; stormwater capital improvements totaling $300,000; increased traffic calming measures; police department support addressing recent crime spikes with new equipment and overtime funding; traffic studies; city TV upgrades ($105,000); neighborhood biofiltration projects ($91,000); public works facility design ($263,000); street light upgrades; public space management plan implementation; and library software enhancements.
The upcoming calendar includes departmental presentations through April 8 followed by public hearings on April 8 and April 20. Budget reconciliation sessions are scheduled between April 13-22 with voting sessions set for May 6 and May 13. The public is invited to attend these meetings.
