College Park council adopts $31.5 million FY2027 budget, leaves tax rates unchanged

The College Park Mayor and Council voted to adopt Ordinance 26003 on May 19, approving the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budgets across the general fund, ARPA allocation fund, capital projects fund and debt service fund. Finance staff presented total projected revenues of $31.5 million and expenditures of $32.4 million; the budget includes a planned use of fund balance of $869,876 and maintains the current tax rates (non‑commercial 0.335 and commercial 0.385).

Finance Director Mr. Olive summarized the budget and its major line items, noting the capital projects fund shows a starting balance of $9.7 million with planned capital expenditures that produce a temporary funding gap in the current plan. “This is the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget,” Mr. Olive said, listing the revenue and transfer assumptions that underpin the proposal.

Council members credited staff and volunteers for an extensive outreach process and framed the vote as a balance between fiscal stability and service delivery. “I want to thank the council and staff for working through this,” Councilmember Jacob Hernandez said, praising the collaboration that produced a balanced set of services without a tax-rate increase.

The ordinance passed by voice vote after council deliberation and the chair’s call for the question. The city will proceed with planned capital projects and will present any follow-up budget reports as projects and grant opportunities evolve.

What comes next: The adopted FY2027 budget takes effect per the ordinance; staff will implement the capital and program allocations and return to council with any mid‑year adjustments or significant changes in revenue projections.