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Friendship Heights council adopts FY2026 budget and sets property tax rate at 4¢ per $100
Summary
Council approved the village’s draft fiscal-year 2026 budget and set the property tax rate at 4 cents per $100 of assessed value; the council also approved a $1,800 community new-initiatives item on end-of-life planning.
The Friendship Heights Village Council voted to adopt its fiscal year 2026 budget and to set the village property tax rate at 4¢ per $100 of assessed value, the minimum rate stated in the draft financial plan.
The finance committee recommended the rate and the budget; council member Schaeffer said the 4¢ rate was already assumed in the draft budget. The council adopted the rate by voice vote as presented. The council subsequently approved the draft FY2026 operating budget, which the finance committee had endorsed 3–0; the final vote on the budget passed on the council floor by roll call, recorded as unanimous.
Treasurer Schaeffer highlighted that the capital needs estimate for the coming year includes an estimated $350,000 related to Page Park, which he said “includes the amount remaining on the contract not paid, which is a $190,000 plus” and additional estimated costs to complete the park such as stormwater, ADA compliance, engineering and permit fees. The budget document includes that estimate for the year beginning July 1.
Council members also voted to fund a community advisory committee recommendation: a $1,800 grant for a series of talks and individual sessions on end-of-life planning coordinated by FHNN (Friendship Heights Neighbors Network). That motion passed 5–2 on roll call (recorded votes show mayor White and one other council member opposed).
The meeting also approved meeting minutes from March 10, 2025, by voice vote (motion carried 7–0).
Council discussion repeatedly returned to the need for a comprehensive capital needs assessment; the finance committee recommended the study to inform medium-term planning and to capture the village’s aging infrastructure, upcoming maintenance of the Red House tenant space and Page Park completion costs.
The budget as adopted covers operating costs without an assumed surplus for capital expenditures beyond items explicitly listed; council members debated different multi‑year revenue and expense projection approaches during the meeting.
Votes at a glance: A roll call recorded in the packet and meeting audio shows - Adopt FY2026 budget: approved, roll call 7–0 - Set property tax rate at 4¢ per $100 valuation: approved, voice vote (recorded unanimous) - New initiatives grant (end-of-life talks): approved, roll call 5–2 - Approve March 10 minutes: approved, voice vote 7–0
