Takoma Park council approves FY27 budget measures and reauthorizes Takoma Langley Crossroads Authority; Schlegel votes no on general budget first reading

The Takoma Park City Council on May 6 approved a package of FY27 budget-related actions and related items, including a resolution identifying new traffic-calming and sidewalk projects and first-reading ordinances for tax rates and the FY27 budget.

Resolution on traffic calming and sidewalks: The council unanimously approved an amended resolution identifying new FY27 traffic-calming and sidewalk projects. Councilmembers agreed on a friendly amendment to add the word "new" in the resolution title and resolve clause to make clear the list applies to projects newly identified for inclusion in the FY27 budget. Councilmember Schlegel moved the resolution; Councilmember Gilbert seconded. (Vote: unanimous.)

First reading — FY27 tax rates: Councilmember Hansack moved and another councilmember seconded the first-reading ordinance adopting FY27 tax rates; the clerk called the roll and the first reading passed with all present voting in favor.

Stormwater management budget: After voting to convene as the Stormwater Management Board, the council approved the second-reading ordinance adopting the FY27 stormwater management budget. The council then reconvened as the city.

First reading — FY27 general budget: Councilmember Gilbert moved and Councilmember Dybala seconded the first-reading ordinance adopting the FY27 general budget. Councilmember Schlegel said she would vote no because she wanted more time to refine economic-development goals and measurable outcomes and to receive additional information about some requests. Finance Director Chung explained that the cover sheet covers five major funds (general, special revenue, stormwater, red-light/stop-sign camera, and the opera fund), and that three of those funds show planned deficits in FY27 but overall reserves and fund balances would cover the combined shortfall. Chung said the combined shortfall across the five major funds was about $2,000,000 and that the appropriation total shown in the budget ordinance (excluding stormwater) is $39,300,000 with $1,920,000 drawn from fund balance; stormwater is handled in a separate ordinance. The first reading of the general budget passed on a 6–1 roll call (Schlegel voting no).

Takoma Langley Crossroads Development Authority: The council approved a first-reading ordinance to reauthorize the Takoma Langley Crossroads Development Authority through June 30, 2031. Councilmembers thanked Javier Rivas for his work connecting businesses and property managers in the Crossroads area. The vote was affirmative.

Consent agenda: The council approved a consent agenda that included a single-reading ordinance authorizing execution of a contract with Barbara Kane Thornton & Company LLP and a resolution approving a sole-source designation for the University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory to conduct a tree canopy analysis.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution: Identify new FY27 traffic-calming and sidewalk projects — Moved by Schlegel; seconded by Gilbert; Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Ordinance (first reading): FY27 tax rates — Moved by Hansack; seconded (recorded); Outcome: first reading approved (unanimous roll call). - Convene as Stormwater Management Board — Moved and seconded; Outcome: approved. - Ordinance (second reading): FY27 stormwater management budget — Moved and seconded; Outcome: approved (roll call affirmative). - Ordinance (first reading): FY27 general budget — Moved by Gilbert; seconded by Dybala; Outcome: approved on first reading 6–1 (Schlegel no). Appropriation amount reported in ordinance: $39,300,000 (with $1,920,000 from fund balance in that ordinance); overall planned shortfall across five funds described as about $2,000,000, covered by reserves per Finance Director Chung. - Ordinance (first reading): Reauthorize Takoma Langley Crossroads Development Authority through 06/30/2031 — Moved by Wesselak; seconded by Hansack; Outcome: approved (roll call affirmative). - Consent agenda (contract with Barbara Kane Thornton & Co. LLP; University of Vermont sole-source for tree canopy analysis) — Moved by Schlegel; seconded by Hansack; Outcome: approved (roll call affirmative).

Council commentary and next steps: Several councilmembers praised staff for budget work and urged development of clearer performance metrics to guide future budget oversight. Mayor Searcy said the council will continue to monitor reserves and county-level budget developments that could affect the city's revenue. Items on the agenda that advanced on first reading will return for second-reading votes on the council's scheduled May meetings.