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Rockville council adopts $2.27 million 2026 budget, approves 3% COLA for full‑time staff
Summary
The Rockville City Council voted to adopt a $2,268,024 operating tax levy for 2026 and approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for full‑time employees. The budget trims $50,000 from equipment savings lines and was recommended by the finance committee.
Rockville — The Rockville City Council on a voice vote adopted a $2,268,024 operating tax levy for 2026, a 3.41% increase over 2025, and approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for full‑time employees.
Jim, who led the finance committee presentation, told the council that the committee’s final recommendation reduced the earlier proposed $2,318,024 by $50,000 to reach the current figure. "We are recommending that the 2026 budget be set at $2,268,024, which is a 3.41% increase over 2025," he said. The $50,000 in reductions came from lowering the fire department truck and equipment fund from $180,000 to $155,000 and trimming the streets and roads machinery and equipment savings from $125,000 to $100,000.
Council members debated the proposed 3% COLA, which staff said was selected based on state cost‑of‑living data used during budget preparation. After discussion and a motion, the council approved the 3% COLA, which staff said must be applied across all covered full‑time positions and is intended to retain employees and keep compensation competitive.
The council moved and seconded Resolution 2025‑38 to adopt the budget and tax levy and approved it by voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tally included in the meeting record. Council members thanked the finance committee and staff for their work on the budget.
The budget adoption concludes the council’s formal budget action for 2026; no further votes on the levy were recorded at the meeting.
