Rockville council creates two departments and approves pension changes; personnel policy manual revisions prompt further review

The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted ordinances to create a Department of Procurement and a Department of Communications and Community Engagement, and approved resolutions to add specified executive positions to non‑merit civil service and to amend the city pension plan to cover those positions.

Staff told the council the organizational changes reflect items already included in the FY 2026 budget and are intended to improve operational efficiency, recruitment and retention. Susan Selig, presenting the staff recommendations, described four recommended measures: create the two new departments, place specified executive positions in non‑merit civil service, amend the pension plan to align with that list, and revise Chapter 15 of the city code to reflect related procedural changes.

Council approved the ordinance creating the two departments after a motion to waive the layover period. Council Member Van Grama introduced the ordinance; Council Member Fulton moved to waive and Council Member Shaw moved to adopt. The measure passed by…