Sykesville council introduces budget revision, shifts capital spending and schedules June public hearing

The Town of Sykesville mayor and town council on May 27 introduced Ordinance 2025‑04, a midyear amendment to the adopted fiscal 2025 budget that trims roughly $2,092,300 in revenues and expenditures and moves major capital projects into fiscal year 2026. Town staff recommended the introduction and asked the council to schedule a public hearing and adoption for June 9, 2025.

Town Manager Joe presented the revision as Budget Revision No. 2 and said the majority of the change — just over $2 million — reflects capital projects being reallocated to FY2026. “Most of these adjustments are for capital projects,” Joe said, and listed the strategic demolition grant, the Safe Streets for All grant, and front‑lawn‑project grants as items shifted into the next fiscal year.

The amendment reduces several grant‑dependent revenue lines because the town does not expect to receive those grant proceeds in the current fiscal year. Joe also reported a reduction of $40,000 in the use of unassigned fund balance tied to the Safe Streets for All match. Staff told the council the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in use must be expended by the end of calendar year 2026; staff said schedule buffers make the FY2026 reallocation low risk.

On the expenditure side, Joe outlined category changes: a $5,000 increase described as a larger donation to the Sykesville Freedom Fire Company; a reduction of more than $200,000 in professional services tied to a Safe Streets for All item that staff moved out of the current year; personnel adjustments where salaries had been overestimated; and about $21,000 added to Main Street expenses — of that $15,000 was a proposed one‑time contribution to Downtown Sykesville Connections (DSC) and $6,000 was to reimburse the DSC for parts from equipment that had been disposed but later needed for parts.

Council members asked for clarifications on ARPA timing and on the rationale for the DSC one‑time contribution. Council member Scofield asked staff to request that future budgets include an annual donation to the American Legion Hall on Raincliff. Council members and staff described DSC as an important partner in bringing visitors and event revenue to Main Street, and staff said the one‑time amount was intended to make the organization “whole” after delays that affected their rental income.

Councilman Keenan moved the introduction of Ordinance 2025‑04; Councilman Scofield seconded. After a brief clarification about the ordinance number printed on different documents, the council voted to introduce Ordinance 2025‑04 as presented and set a public hearing and adoption for June 9, 2025. The introduction passed unanimously.

The ordinance as introduced reduces current‑year capital outlay and shifts planned work (including Cooper Park improvements, a South End streetscape component and continuing engineering for 714 Sandusky) into FY2026; staff recommended the council adopt the schedule and return with adoption after the public hearing.

A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 9, 2025, when the council will consider adoption.