[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632908,"mediaKeyId","2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2","parentId",2669827,"title","Rockville holds second FY2026 budget public hearing; staff proposes $174.9M operating budget, $33.8M CIP and $1M for housing fund","audioSeconds",8545,"startMs",3269000,"endMs",11814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2&start=3269&end=11814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2/thumbnail_3269000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632908/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-holds-second-FY2026-budget-public-hearing-staff-proposes-1749M-operating-budget-338M-CIP-and-1M-for-housing-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632908-e2530fa9394ae72802bfc5d583fdf638/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196616&Signature=GMAH1mn2-hJ23S1u6Gv6FvhcalHJ-3UdeWAMNPb-XsfmUcDLW0SWoN2lv1ZeZjnV7P0CFuMQ6Bm1iajIS0WeEqPlDgywBBdijXUc6-5vTicQ7FG-ULKb4kC91zjVYIX0x7Qg8HXM2wyAYeS7~zSOCv0fMb4jCJagUQC6ioKbpfkOMt~QPHEcWqmLeTj~PgxoT2QpJDSmPUh0x-39cfroXYFatYAZjkUv5zDL5v-RAo6dfVc0qnppoZ0VS1epY~PDmfqT5Llwon7qGAnMOsvRAeSFHqG5wqj-aLYlQcS~NZYmQ2kG-cD574fCCZkb18GnksyInd5upXkM4QJW3Zn1HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockville","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Rockville City Council continued its review of the fiscal 2026 budget Monday, March 17, 2025, with a second public hearing and an initial work session in which staff presented a proposed $174.9 million operating budget, a $33.8 million capital improvement program (CIP) and new, one‑time and ongoing investments including $1,000,000 for a Housing Opportunities Fund.

City Manager Jeff Michalak and finance staff opened the session describing the budget’s major totals and priorities. “The budget really includes a total expenditure of $175,000,000 across 10 funds,” Stacy Webster told the council, noting the document represents a 3.9 percent increase from FY2025 while maintaining the current property tax rate.

Why it matters: the FY2026 proposal would expand capital work across 65 projects, add targeted operating capacity for economic development and permitting, and create a dedicated revenue transfer and reserve allocation to seed a city housing fund meant for preservation and down‑payment or employee home‑ownership assistance.

Key measures presented by staff include:
- General fund operating proposal of roughly $116.6 million, driven by higher assessed values and other revenue growth; taxable assessed value rose an average 5.7 percent in the City’s forecasts.
- A $33.8 million CIP supporting 65 capital projects, including senior center and Lincoln Park Community Center improvements, enhanced sidewalks and roadwork.
- $10,000,000 in new funds for Vision Zero and pedestrian improvements.
- $1,600,000 proposed support for Rockville Economic Development, Inc. and five new positions across funds to enable expedited plan reviews and next‑day inspections.
- $1,000,000 initial transfer plus a $750,000 reserve allocation to the Housing Opportunities Fund (totaling $1,000,000) to preserve and add affordable units and to start employee homeownership and down‑payment assistance programs.
- A recommended 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment in the operating budget and capacity to implement compensation and classification adjustments identified in the city’s study; staff also flagged a recommended FY2026 cap of 7.5 percent for targeted market adjustments for positions identified as below market.
- A proposed refuse rate increase of $30 per year and a stormwater rate increase of $7 per Equivalent Residential Unit; water and sewer follow the multi‑year schedule adopted previously.

Public testimony and requests: the hearing drew more than a dozen speakers who urged funding for specific community programs and facilities. Items raised during the public hearing included:
- Sunflower Bakery (a local nonprofit workforce training social enterprise): Executive Director Jodi Tick asked council to continue funding the organization’s expansion to support young adults and teens with learning differences; testimony stressed the organization’s enrollment growth and workforce placement work.
- Cultural Arts Commission: Karen Askin, representing the commission, requested funding for a strategic arts and culture plan to guide implementation of public art and events amid large development projects in Town Center and elsewhere.
- Rockville Sister Cities Corporation: David Hill and Drew Powell outlined grant requests to support cultural events, the Bubble Tea Festival and student exchanges and noted changes to planned activities that altered fiscal needs.
- Rockville Volunteer Fire Department: President Eric Bernard and department leaders thanked the council for proposed funding lines and sought continued support for apparatus replacement and paramedic chase unit needs; the department noted volunteer service and quantified standby hours provided to the county.
- Rockville Swim and Fitness Center advisory board: Chair Angus Chen thanked the council for proposed pool investments and said the center generates more than $2 million annually in revenue and 350,000 customer visits.
- Other public speakers asked council to add or scope projects including a covered shelter at Wootton’s Mill Park, expanded transit/circulator service and accessibility audits, and a humane deer‑population management study.

Budget process and timing: staff kept the council’s public record open through April 7 and reminded residents that an additional public hearing is scheduled for March 24. The council introduced (first reading) an ordinance to appropriate funds and levy taxes for FY2026; final budget adoption is scheduled for May 5. Staff said they will continue monitoring state and federal revenue forecasts and will preserve at least $3 million above the reserve target to maintain flexibility if revenues weaken.

What the council asked: councilmembers pressed staff on the durability of revenue projections (especially income tax and commercial valuations), the use of one‑time reserves versus recurring revenues, fee increases (building permits, recreation fees) and potential impacts on development and affordability. Staff said permit fees are set to maintain cost recovery but noted the city’s fees remain at or below Montgomery County peers.

Next steps: the council will hold additional detailed work sessions on March 24 and April 7 to review operating departments, grants and the CIP; staff will return with follow‑up answers to council budget questions and updated balancing options ahead of final adoption.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockville - Mayor and Council - March 17, 2025 (Meeting No. 08-25) - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rockville City Council held a second public hearing and budget work session on March 17 to review the proposed FY2026 operating and capital budgets, with staff proposing a $174.9 million operating plan, a $33.8 million CIP and a $1 million initial transfer to a Housing Opportunities Fund.","taxTitle","Rockville City, Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",9268,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632892,"Votes at a glance: Council unanimously approves consent items including David Skull Park grant agreements and rent‑increase resolution",35,3622000,3657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2&start=3622&end=3657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2/thumbnail_3622000.jpg","/articles/6632892/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-unanimously-approves-consent-items-including-David-Skull-Park-grant-agreements-and-rentincrease-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632892-ffb7b5dfa09d94a087c1a5a998ec05c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196616&Signature=f-gEjV4GmSb0gor6ZlXZ8ieq2LTpRuV4tq2LbKaif3TBwbkU-gesVTaxFJ7RX6~vC154fy~9bUhaFwnW9RuYXTRHr27GJe9riPsWlgigQpns6Oosqw2zlMJ1aOprOp92eyrjxvWocU7xLZUumpOFfdj5F7cjTwfMDWYnVALGkR830TA6AhkMHo9PsJJckTFkcMTzhut9iLOMBuZA7DwUT9EwKKfhqBcPyI9-ho2Jv86f2fMsYIWGvMG9-ugA~KHszCwB-TFVgiVPnEsz1yfmruBXW3JLVNhJj2WRtwk2urgY44uncxn2zjUZ6c9fjzEUxw83hCiXFWnJzIOoGDLJ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 17, 2025 meeting the Rockville City Council took unanimous action on the consent agenda, approving three items as a block.

What passed: Council approved the consent agenda items identified in the meeting packet:
- Item A — Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute State of Maryland capital projects grant agreements for David Skull Park improvements.
- Item B — Adopt a resolution to establish the maximum rate of rent increase as required by Section 18‑194 of the Rockville City Code (Voluntary Rent Guidelines and Notice Requirements of Rent Increases).
- Item C — Approval of minutes (record of prior meetings).

Procedure and vote: Council Member Valeri moved to approve items A, B and C; Council Member Venkraks seconded. The meeting record shows a voice vote in which council members responded “Aye” and the presiding officer declared the motion unanimous.

Vote tally (as recorded in the meeting): yes — unanimous (all council members present); no, abstentions and recusals — none.

Notes: The consent approvals authorize staff to execute grant agreements for park improvements and set a city resolution consistent with the rent‑increase notice code section; the staff report includes details on the grant agreements and the city code citation.

","Rockville City Council unanimously approved consent agenda items March 17 including authorization to execute State of Maryland capital project grant agreements for David Skull Park improvements and adoption of a resolution establishing the maximum rate of rent increase under Rockville City Code Section 18‑194.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632896,"Residents urge Rockville to remove invasive vines at King Farm retention ponds and protect urban forest bird habitat",112,1376000,1488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2&start=1376&end=1488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2/thumbnail_1376000.jpg","/articles/6632896/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Residents-urge-Rockville-to-remove-invasive-vines-at-King-Farm-retention-ponds-and-protect-urban-forest-bird-habitat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632896-e9320297150a0637d3f0b18e0b037df9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196616&Signature=BM8Lt585KgWqO0KjcKOlNXYywUfbzETWYvSspw4M~UW8D7yQyqsuH018a00pl3nP5F9FHQYjXinYkFnr8WUHadrK-kbKDW29qZ7T~ykIhliFOmuvhMA5jIMsAAUoTfgR4aCMm1K3QrYBnGZken7hm7o058Kay0MbpAlnmC-1wdmMkrpIINY1qrHyGNMK4qRZRlmD456kklFZSkum5AY70s1~1iXSklgygcmsF4iY8NHsFLmwFaap5qIlAAZfAZ4u6djt0QhrxVq3m5DmYqKa9e5ZT~BswcHd2UaWuQoFRpXkJz~tg0P9wyKiGeVQ0TlLekWHkrzSyslIjXUSAgLiRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trisha Tice, a resident of the King Farm Life Plan Community, addressed Rockville councilors on March 17 to press for removal of invasive vines and maintenance of tree canopy in the Watts Branch stormwater retention ponds between King Farm Boulevard and Redland Road.

Tice described the retention ponds and surrounding wooded areas as an important local resource for cooling streets, shading properties and supporting birdlife. She told councilors that “vines block the photosynthesis of the trees and inhibit their growth. They have the potential to kill the trees,” and noted that the area is a known birding hotspot recorded on eBird.

Tice said she used the city’s neighborhood improvement proposal process late last year to request work in the area. She thanked staff for an initial weed‑removal effort adjacent to the fountain side building on King Farm Boulevard and urged the council and staff to expand and schedule additional removals before the prime growing season.

Why it matters: civic advocates said the site supports bird observation records used by scientists and that proactive invasive species management in early spring will prevent more costly tree loss later.

Staff context: earlier in the meeting the City Manager noted a separate reforestation effort at Red Gate Park (phase two) funded by a Chesapeake Bay Trust grant that will plant more than 800 trees and shrubs; Tice’s request concerns maintenance and invasive removal in neighborhood retention areas rather than the Red Gate project.

Next steps: the testimony was entered into the public record; residents requested the city continue and accelerate invasive species removal and consider the retention ponds in urban forest management planning.","A King Farm resident asked the City Council to clear invasive vines from stormwater retention ponds adjacent to King Farm and Redland Road, arguing that vines are harming trees and reducing the site's value to birders and local biodiversity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632900,"Montrose residents urge Council to limit bike‑lane changes on Congressional Lane, cite parking and study errors",210,1645000,1855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2&start=1645&end=1855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2/thumbnail_1645000.jpg","/articles/6632900/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montrose-residents-urge-Council-to-limit-bikelane-changes-on-Congressional-Lane-cite-parking-and-study-errors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632900-e8defc655839c4183b1d6cfa16bfd83a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196616&Signature=PKIL2aNoa7KpRElfXXCEYrOGu~Dyc0DetH4YIH9Q3yz19uQPImcWE8iLVFZUJfXaeZO4bxBArrxDxR~VI5JF~tzyFCcWQ6e5M0t7gs1SfuscFhMEh5YTgcrszpI9lMwsHsClaNEqgFl7xlqu1cnj7mB~f~rxKoy7z1Ua7I1OiIW3n1A03x9mvb6guTLtwXokaCQeaNbrWVocX6HzztECzGRS2NSynCfawuOVHtn5Kv4rqpEsIvpFULTUIh9gL4F36l-035a0OR9HU8ws-RciqujEyQXsS~ew2AXcpj3sMacG6U~9~31v6ivIe91eIQKRvLUVu-gkIPOwLt1EPr7M7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeffrey Gantz, a Montrose neighborhood resident and representative of the Symantro Civic Association, addressed the City Council March 17 to urge caution on the Congressional Lane Complete Streets study and to ask the city to consider neighborhood parking, connectivity and seasonality when proposing bike lanes.

Gantz said the study’s parking data (which the study reported as 34 to 66 percent usage on the subject block) does not reflect seasonal peaks when sports and recreational leagues use Montrose Park. “If the parking on Congressional Lane were to go away, this would cause people to find parking elsewhere in the neighborhood,” Gantz said, warning that lost curbside spaces would displace cars to Rollins Avenue, Martha Terrace and Lorraine Drive.

Gantz also highlighted what he described as factual errors in the study—he told councilors that the study lists speed humps on the street where there are none—and urged the city to limit revamped bike lanes to the section between MD‑355 and East Jefferson Street, where he said they would have less impact. He asked that any extension toward Rollins Avenue include a plan to replace lost spaces.

Nut graf: Montrose residents asked the council to balance cyclist safety with neighborhood parking and traffic impacts, and to sequence or combine studies that affect the same planning area rather than treating each independently.

Additional points raised in testimony:
- Gantz asked that the city coordinate Congressional Lane improvements with the East Jefferson Street bike‑lane study and with rezoning or development proposals in Planning Area 10 and adjacent Planning Area 9, because cumulative projects may have compounding traffic and parking impacts.
- He noted the upcoming Wegmans opening as a source of additional traffic pressure near Montrose and urged more in‑person site visits by council members and staff when evaluating traffic and parking impacts.

Staff response and next steps: the council did not decide policy at the March 17 session; Gantz’s remarks were entered in the budget/public‑hearing record and the community continues to seek meetings and a neighborhood walk with council members and staff to show on‑the‑ground conditions.

","Resident groups from the Montrose neighborhood told the Rockville City Council that a proposed Complete Streets study on Congressional Lane understates parking demand and contains errors; they asked the city to limit bike lanes to sections with lower parking impact and to coordinate projects across planning areas.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632903,"Rockville presents compensation and classification study; union affiliate says staff review process fell short",1227,2009000,3236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2&start=2009&end=3236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669827-c9924d4e45907e33bf314f6c6f7cd0e2/thumbnail_2009000.jpg","/articles/6632903/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-presents-compensation-and-classification-study-union-affiliate-says-staff-review-process-fell-short","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632903-c685772c526ed25e626d8994ab7d3600/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196616&Signature=cLQPcNHHJgomSgBsiZI4FC9xPRuX-lGUKJjn1Xh7bQ1iirnadZSjtlu30hlEgFupWp2UWOogcE5ICK9Q~adtYXuDfV~By4i8vdyxfr9NgN17n4rIHIqqtkPfu6Y5yFmFIoZckJxQHfCODsBacywTRltrdJtAnCk~axO6xY1dgskEWswAVZ4xQ3fjynz8ZOXgGgGV-97ttQiEPLEzydn7ob1lpSsAgZ0ijLUkSWskWTZvk~TEuZ8YrUAuvb0XAvcoMmxluXAAzaU-HUdAPZhmCFz5KOJIofyeaIaOuZ3FQPjEDoFX74399rtekfwnxq6EPKU6BB6GVgAq~LWB32uhWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Rockville presented an overview of its recent compensation and classification study during the March 17 council meeting, outlining findings, recommended pay philosophy and next steps as staff and the consultant recommended refinements to job documentation and a targeted pay‑range adjustment strategy.

Susan Seelig introduced the city’s study and the Bolton Partners team; Bolton’s Dan Ritberger summarized the firm’s approach and conclusions, saying the study compared Rockville job classifications and pay ranges against a regional peer group and recommended aiming pay ranges toward the 60th percentile of the market.

“Targeting the 60th percentile allows you to attract a higher caliber of talent,” Ritberger said, describing the firm’s market methodology and the mixed results across employee groups. Bolton found pay ranges slightly below market overall and recommended limited redesign of the grading system, improved job documentation, and communication of total rewards.

Key technical findings presented:
- The city-wide midpoint of pay ranges stood roughly 3.4 percent below the 60th‑percentile market benchmark on combined ranges; variance differed by structure (administrative, union, police, senior management).
- Staff proposed including a 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment in the FY2026 budget and to provide, for employees identified as below market, adjustments capped at 7.5 percent in the recommended budget year.
- Bolton recommended modernizing the point‑factor classification approach to a job‑family and career‑level model and improving job documentation.

Public comment and employee concerns: Gina Arnett, an engineer in Public Works who identified herself as a board member of the Association of Administrative Municipal Employees (AIM), said AIM had been promised a two‑week period to review a draft of the final report but received the final report via email instead. “Because of this, AIM has not been able to form a complete opinion on the study’s findings, as we simply didn't have the opportunity for participation that was initially promised,” Arnett said, urging the city to reaffirm commitments to employee engagement in policy changes that affect pay and classification.

Context and next steps: staff said the FY2026 recommended budget contains the 2.5 percent general adjustment and capacity to apply market corrections where the study indicates gaps; final decisions on how to implement individual adjustments will be part of budget adoption. Bolton emphasized that the study reflects a point‑in‑time market analysis and recommended additional steps to document jobs, refresh classification methodology and integrate any changes into city policies.

","City staff and consultant Bolton Partners outlined a compensation and classification study recommending pay ranges target the 60th percentile and modest budget adjustments; the Association of Administrative Municipal Employees (AIM) said staff did not provide the promised draft review period to the union affiliate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockville holds second FY2026 budget public hearing; staff proposes $174.9M operating budget, $33.8M CIP and $1M for housing fund

Votes at a glance: Council unanimously approves consent items including David Skull Park grant agreements and rent‑increase resolution

Residents urge Rockville to remove invasive vines at King Farm retention ponds and protect urban forest bird habitat

Montrose residents urge Council to limit bike‑lane changes on Congressional Lane, cite parking and study errors

Rockville presents compensation and classification study; union affiliate says staff review process fell short