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College Park releases $29 million draft budget with no tax increase; mayor touts business growth and new staff
Summary
The city of College Park published a $29 million draft budget that keeps the tax rate flat, adds staff including a public-safety manager, and pairs planned capital investments — notably an $8 million dual field complex — with measures to support economic growth amid rising visitor numbers.
The City of College Park released a draft $29 million budget this week that proposes no increase in the city tax rate and would add staff positions to support public safety and economic development, the mayor said at a town hall.
"The budget is 29, around $29,000,000 and we are not the big news, we are not proposing any tax increase," the mayor said. "There will be no raise in the tax rate. That's the good news."
Key elements of the draft budget and city projects
- No proposed tax rate increase and no change to the home tax rate, the mayor said; the city expects to add three or four full-time positions if the budget is adopted, including a full-time public safety manager to oversee community policing and the camera program, and one additional economic development staffer. - Dual Field recreational complex: the mayor said construction has started on an $8 million "Dual Field" project adjacent to city hall; the project will include an all-weather turf, irrigation and an amphitheater, and is expected to be completed next summer. - College Park Clubhouse: city officials held a ribbon-cutting for a new community clubhouse that is available for reservations by city residents. - Route 1 improvements: the mayor credited county and state partners for completed Route 1 work, and said the city is advocating for design funding to extend Route 1 improvements into North College Park. - Economic development: the mayor said the city saw an increase in visitor numbers from about 2 million to roughly 3 million year-over-year, and listed multiple new businesses opening recently, including restaurants and retail.
Why it matters: The city’s choice to hold the tax rate steady while adding personnel reflects a prioritization of public safety and economic development amid broader regional budget pressures cited by county officials. The mayor framed the additions as responses to rising local activity and a growing roster of visitors.
Questions and caveats
City officials did not present a final budget at the town hall; the mayor called it a draft and said the council and staff would continue to refine it. Staff and council members answered resident questions about program funding for seniors and nonprofits, and acknowledged that outside county and federal pressures could still affect the city indirectly.
Next steps
City staff will take public feedback during the budget review period and present the final budget for council approval in the coming weeks. The mayor and council encouraged residents to track budget materials published online and attend budget hearings.
