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Rockville council adopts FY2026 budget amendment; rescinded Twinbrook grant offset by earlier appropriation
Summary
The council adopted a FY2026 budget amendment that recognizes a $284,000 rescission of a federal grant for the Twinbrook pedestrian and bicycle bridge and clarifies design funding will come from the city's FY2023 appropriation; the measure passed unanimously after a friendly amendment.
Rockville City Council on Nov. 10 adopted a budget amendment for fiscal 2026 that recognizes several carryover expenses, increases police overtime, accepts a zero-emission vehicle grant for an electric bus for the senior center, and acknowledges the rescission of a $284,000 federal grant for the Twinbrook pedestrian and bicycle bridge project.
City finance staff presented the amendment and recommended the council introduce, waive the layover period and adopt the ordinance the same night. City Manager Mr. Michalek told the council the amendment "is simply to recognize the rescission of $284,000 from a federal grant" and noted the city still has previously appropriated funds available for design work.
Why it matters: the amendment preserves funding for key programs and clarifies how design work on the Twinbrook bridge will proceed despite the rescinded federal grant.
Councilmember Valeri and others pressed for clearer staff wording about next steps for design funding; Councilmember Valeri proposed a friendly amendment to specify that design funding would come from the FY2023 appropriation. Councilmember Van Grama introduced the ordinance with that friendly amendment for the record. Councilmember Jackson moved to adopt the ordinance as amended; the motion carried by voice vote and was recorded as unanimous.
What was decided: the council introduced and adopted the ordinance to amend ordinance number 12-25 to appropriate funds and levy taxes for FY2026, with the explicit language that the funding for Twinbrook design will be drawn from the FY2023 appropriation. Staff said ample money remains in previously approved funds for feasibility and design, and that staff will continue to seek external grants as available.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the design work using the appropriated funds, continue pursuing grants, and provide updates to the council as the feasibility study and design progress. The council thanked the finance team for the work.
