[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6223969,"mediaKeyId","3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5","parentId",3556889,"title","Council grills finance director on reserves, stormwater backlog and capital timing during treasurer's report","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",1643000,"endMs",2752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5&start=1643&end=2752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5/thumbnail_1643000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223969/La-Plata/Charles/Maryland/Council-grills-finance-director-on-reserves-stormwater-backlog-and-capital-timing-during-treasurers-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223969-32ac22f6926b26e5b899f8c0b6a5af29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640380&Signature=NfUsz5Q0q8qh2J1zfkJyBdxFLqli8KzA3YIkoJ6JnoqIGQwNF6Q6vL8Xfpj8-~UmEW~On6OOfsmxy3Ke0b~JBszNbfKqGZZJx1j8w4rI6FWLSa6ruPgFK0M8q37lDRIlwLVRDoCgVPB4Z7C1OrD0G41EmTrchtli1naIiNdZeSM~DH7s0uYNXPUk~50jJuHaaPadHqKf8BgdXghlsxKUOrGENhSH-rH-uKktBDS4LyrNlklEva-QkuwtvCM2bONO~9ByxwCY5XyS14j9u2xZpIVNjvky2ZnwYs3Dbayxw9XXyKq-EkcUu8I225vDZHMS8hDz~6f~VRSvyUiDu82wDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of La Plata, MD","date","2025-05-28T13:05:23Z","article","Council members on May 27 spent a sustained portion of the La Plata Town Council meeting questioning Finance Director/Treasurer Ms. Larson about the town's cash balances, reserves and the accounting treatment of capital projects.

Ms. Larson told the council that the town is audited annually and that audited financial statements for the past 10 years are available online. On the question whether the town will end the fiscal year with a deficit (without using reserves), Ms. Larson said, \"I do not believe so,\" and cited stronger-than-expected investment earnings and some revenue/expense amendments that have offset shortfalls.

Council members repeatedly asked for clearer benchmarks and written road maps for reserves. Ms. Larson said the town currently maintains multiple reserve accounts (building reserve, vehicle reserve, a general rainy-day fund) but that enterprise funds generally lack separately designated reserves. She referenced Government Finance Officers Association guidance for best practice and said \"we need to reevaluate\" the general fund reserve because the town's budget is larger than when the prior reserve level was set.

On capital projects, staff identified Mod 2 (a major sewer plant project) as delayed; the council and Ms. Larson discussed accounting differences between modified-accrual accounting (general fund) and accrual accounting (enterprise funds), noting that capital spending may be budgeted in one year and capitalized and depreciated over time. Ms. Larson said specific Mod 2 components have started (\"the base of the clarifier has, which is part of mod 2\") but that substantial spending will show in FY2026 capital budget rather than FY2025 operating reports.

Stormwater management work and MS4 projects drew sustained attention. Ms. Larson reported an FY2026 MS4 budget of about $1,360,000 and said some of the related projects were moved into FY2026 because they were not completed in FY2025. Councilman Paul Guttenberg and Councilman Patrick McCormick pushed staff to produce a consolidated list and cost estimate for the backlog of stormwater maintenance and capital projects so the council can decide whether to fund them with fund balance or fees. Ms. Larson said public works had provided a site-improvement listing and she agreed to share it with council members.

The council also questioned inspection-related costs (building inspections handled through PlanCheck and treated as pass-through revenue and expense) and the variability of enterprise fund revenues (differences in revenue recognition timing, major facility fees on sewer). Ms. Larson explained that some variances come from permit timing and from capital projects not yet started.

On compensation and elected-official pay, members asked about stipends and payroll figures. Ms. Larson and HR director Monica Kennedy confirmed numbers presented in the report for mayoral pay and stipends; the council requested more detail and line-item breakdowns for salaries and benefits.

No ordinance or formal action resulted directly from the treasurer's report; staff committed to provide additional documentation and to place reserve-policy and stormwater-backlog items on a future work session agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Regular Meeting 05.27.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members pressed the town's finance director on May 27 about reserves, enterprise fund accounting, delayed capital projects and a backlog of stormwater work; staff promised follow-up detail.","taxTitle","La Plata, Charles, Maryland","taxId",71666,"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},6223974,"La Plata council adopts FY2026 financial plan, approves LEOPs evaluation and a 1.5% employee bonus",426,5710000,6136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5&start=5710&end=6136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5/thumbnail_5710000.jpg","/articles/6223974/La-Plata/Charles/Maryland/La-Plata-council-adopts-FY2026-financial-plan-approves-LEOPs-evaluation-and-a-15-employee-bonus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223974-b25924fd80f7e430b8a2234cdfb51836/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640380&Signature=PjNUgbL-M5DLCIpgwVjPpaicI3anqTUQNEM9bcBYWb6JBnUsObwCCtA40Omu-7DK6zC5qiBztlnbCLPc5nvBsIBBFnFMyoiZMBSppRPkueqKU1c2rQ11pWALicql5XGVb3beKavnpXmv8goePj7h1Maonr~mZW1k7xGRD2yR8aYKCJFDkwkYn6NSFsGwqeuFW1I2KhK2oLbT7YZf4q0LQspdqr8U3ZU6v1qGL7eJ6J1lxytWpZ-jlJw9oZWv2CHR8LQQ8ZZ3JKFn0cnXtNUZM9bYXiPsYrZT8ZfVFCpkeQEy2X9qvO9vmjkqCTaSeG9o63uiKQKuzbXbNdu2oIzsXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Plata Town Council on May 27 adopted Ordinance 25-05, the town's FY2026 financial plan, and unanimously approved two additions to the plan: a 1.5% one-time bonus for town employees and funding to initiate an evaluation of LEOPs (a compensation/organizational evaluation). Council members voted 5–0 to adopt the budget with those additions.

Councilman Taejon Johnson moved to adopt the FY2026 financial plan with the additions; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. During discussion staff identified the expected cost of the 1.5% bonus at $110,795 and the cost to initiate the LEOPs evaluation at $7,305. Town staff said the bonus would be “distributed by the town manager” with department heads' input once the manager arrives.

Finance Director Ms. Larson walked the council through major budget items and answered questions about reserves, cash balances and the treatment of capital projects. She told the council that the town is audited annually and that audited financial statements for the last 10 years are available on the town website. On the question whether current projections show an end-of-year deficit (without transfers or reserve draws), Ms. Larson said, “I do not believe so,” citing higher-than-expected investment earnings and revenue/expense amendments that have offset some gaps.

Council members used the adoption vote to add the LEOPs evaluation and the 1.5% bonus into the FY2026 plan rather than voting on them as separate standalone items. Director of Human Resources Kennedy confirmed the LEOPs initiation cost of $7,305. All five council members—Mayor Janine James and councilmen Paul Guttenberg, Patrick McCormick, Gregory Sampson and Taejon Johnson—voted in favor.

With the financial plan adopted and the additions approved, staff will proceed with the LEOPs evaluation procurement and implement the employee bonus according to the town manager's guidance. The council requested staff to track and report the fiscal effects of the bonus and the study in future financial reports.","The Town Council adopted the FY2026 financial plan (Ordinance 25-05) and approved adding a 1.5% employee bonus and funding for an evaluation of LEOPs (approximately $7,305). The vote on the amended budget was unanimous.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223979,"La Plata council adopts FY2026 fee schedule including new trash pricing after heated debate",980,4730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5&start=4730&end=5710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3556889-585484899bd2028e3b9ab771549b01c5/thumbnail_4730000.jpg","/articles/6223979/La-Plata/Charles/Maryland/La-Plata-council-adopts-FY2026-fee-schedule-including-new-trash-pricing-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223979-26289dc8e0006ce7cf23f9529be04b30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640380&Signature=UVahv9tlVxKHsM39gaX9kQ1mgY7nTQhNwL828ykQXyI8XA1fzt2dOy1iOncN6hHRBlRpdaDJ3o-yhV7KceisvkuDiU7XeGWOIl8PkKBqgUP1GofLfcan0ikds1v9e3eucvbA6Kcrr2j8sXqBv0c4xpM5h7Oqbv0Mxi8tz3ZTkJ7p~m2Z9Ix~JkrtpHabl3LoUa3q3sTXem8LOceLajzCBr39MzkNq7mCmHT0r-p4S0TuB~rTH7vcJEvMPN2EElzECHSBp18qTraXJyXKAt~N7kefdknv7Otn5F5hqsZKOApnGgTbaznhWagfYe4Sg7o6UCplcPYOL3VFw9GSRBce3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The La Plata Town Council on May 27 adopted Ordinance 25-04 (FY2026 fee schedule) after lengthy debate about trash collection, rates and enforcement. The ordinance changes the town's fee schedule to raise residential rates and set higher charges for additional cans; the motion passed on a 3–2 roll-call vote.

The vote followed a sustained discussion among council members, the acting town manager and public works staff about implementation and financial impact. Councilman Paul Guttenberg, Councilman Taejon Johnson and Mayor Janine James voted in favor; Councilman Patrick McCormick and Councilman Gregory Sampson voted no. The council clerk recorded the outcome: yes 3, no 2.

Council members and staff framed the measure as an attempt to make trash service more equitable while limiting a growing subsidy the town has been carrying for collection. Acting Town Manager Minor and Director of Finance Ms. Larson described the fee schedule as returning some of the cost of service to ratepayers while noting that the proposal still left the service “in the red” by an estimated amount discussed during the meeting. Director of Public Works (Mr. Cox) warned the council that one of the largest implementation challenges would be refusing to pick up materials not placed in town-issued cans; he said that step was likely to generate citizen complaints and operational pushback.

Council members pressed staff on the size of the shortfall and operational risk. Ms. Larson told the council the proposed fee adjustments would reduce the projected service deficit but not eliminate it immediately; remaining costs would be covered from fund balance unless additional savings are found. During discussion, members debated whether to raise rates across the board (an 8% increase was discussed) or to keep a smaller, targeted increase and a per-additional-can charge—council ultimately approved the smaller-scale plan with the higher per-can fee.

Opponents said the change would be painful for some households and questioned whether the town has sufficient enforcement capacity to collect only town-can trash. Councilman McCormick said he was “concerned with this fee schedule” and worried it would cause “pain and heartache” when residents see the first bill. Supporters argued a modest, targeted increase affects fewer households than a blanket 8% rise and that clearer enforcement and communication could control costs.

The council and staff discussed practical steps for rollout and communication. Public Works staff reported frequent instances of crews collecting non-town cans and said this practice has contributed to higher disposal costs. Staff said they will develop messaging and operational guidance to residents about the change; the council did not adopt a formal suspension or phase-in policy at the meeting.

With the ordinance adopted, staff will implement the new fees as written in the FY2026 fee schedule. The council discussion made clear the town plans to monitor collection patterns and may return to the council if the projected shortfall persists or if operational problems emerge.","The La Plata Town Council on May 27 adopted Ordinance 25-04, the FY2026 fee schedule, including revised residential and commercial trash rates and a per-additional-can charge. The vote was 3–2 after extended discussion about equity, implementation and the town running a projected shortfall on the service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council grills finance director on reserves, stormwater backlog and capital timing during treasurer's report

La Plata council adopts FY2026 financial plan, approves LEOPs evaluation and a 1.5% employee bonus

La Plata council adopts FY2026 fee schedule including new trash pricing after heated debate