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La Plata mayor lays out 2026 priorities after 'transformative' 2025
Summary
Mayor James told the council that 2025 was "transformative" for La Plata, citing a new council, infrastructure projects, public safety improvements and a fiscally responsible FY26 budget; he outlined 2026 priorities including continuing infrastructure upgrades, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, ADA-accessible playground upgrades and stronger public engagement.
La Plata — Mayor James delivered the State of the Municipality address at the Jan. 27 council meeting, reviewing the town's accomplishments in 2025 and outlining operational and strategic priorities for 2026.
The mayor highlighted that the new council and town leadership oversaw adoption of the FY26 budget and that the finance department received a Government Finance Officers Association distinguished budget presentation award for FY26. He told the council the town completed a clean FY25 audit with no material misstatements and secured favorable low-interest USDA financing to support capital needs while limiting taxpayer burden.
Public works accomplishments cited included townwide water distribution and stormwater improvements, the Tillman Lake Dam rehabilitation (noted as reaching completion in March), replacement and painting of 659 hydrants, and a continuing Advanced Metering Infrastructure rollout with meter-node upgrades approximately one-third complete. The mayor also described multiple wastewater capital projects in design or planning, and listed five stormwater projects in progress by name.
On planning and growth, the mayor said the planning department advanced residential and institutional projects, and identified expansions proposed for La Plata High School and the Charles County Library. The Historic Preservation Commission drafted a five-year work plan and the Design Review Board continued review of projects to maintain local standards. The mayor noted appointments to planning- and preservation-related commissions and emphasized a focus on responsible growth, transparency and community engagement.
Public safety remarks emphasized reductions in crimes such as burglary and aggravated assault, progress toward police accreditation and technology investments to improve investigations and evidence handling. Human Resources highlights included filling vacancies, new benefits (pet insurance and long-term care insurance), and staff promotions.
The mayor closed by stressing the 2026 theme of turning "planning into performance," listing several near-term projects (meter upgrades, an interactive trash collection map, hydrant maintenance, ADA playground upgrades) and calling for continued resident engagement in boards, commissions and public meetings.
What happens next: Several items presented in the address were already scheduled for council consideration during the meeting (employee handbook, capital projects and appointments); staff will return with implementation details, budget amendments where needed and timelines for major capital efforts.
