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Riverdale Park council introduces FY2027 budget; staff proposes $437,690 insurance rebate for OPEB and $120,000 invasive-species grant
Summary
Council introduced the FY2027 operating and CIP budgets and discussed format changes, a $437,690 insurance rebate proposed for the town's OPEB liability, a newly secured $120,000 invasive-species grant, COLA guidance, and transfers to community and economic development funds.
The Riverdale Park Town Council introduced the fiscal year 2027 operating and capital improvement budgets during a special legislative meeting after an April 27 work session, and staff outlined several adjustments staff recommends adding to the documents before adoption.
Town Manager (staff) told the council the proposed CIP now shows a total project cost (an estimate), funds on hand, new funding requested for FY27, and projected year-end balances to make the resource picture clearer. "We need to make sure that we explain things more thoroughly, with this new format," the manager said, noting the change responds to questions raised during public hearings.
Staff confirmed the town has secured a $120,000 grant to remove invasive species and recommended adding that amount to the CIP summary sheet. Staff also reported the town expects a $437,690 reimbursement or rebate from its health insurance provider; staff proposed that money be added to OPEB (other post-employment benefits) to reduce a long-term liability.
"This check, added to the current balance of $2.71 and some change gets us north of 700,000," staff said about the OPEB account and the town's $750,000'$1,000,000 target. Council members welcomed the confirmation while noting the town should avoid planning on amounts until the funds are finalized.
On compensation, staff recommended a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for FY27, and explained that each half-point increase raises ongoing costs such as retirement contributions and workers' compensation. "I recommend our recommendation remains unchanged," staff said, adding the proposal allows managers to give additional merit increases where merited.
Council and staff also discussed allocations from the community development and economic development funds. Staff proposed designating $25,000 for nonprofit partners out of the community development fund (with flexibility to adjust allocations) and outlined a $1.65 million projected expenditure plan from the community development fund that includes a $100,000 line of credit to help the volunteer fire department administer a federal grant.
The proposed budget anticipates a $46,000 town grant to the volunteer fire department in FY27 split between operating ($23,000) and fund dollars ($23,000). Staff said some projects in the municipal center and DPW will move in phases over several years and that solar and accessibility work is already planned with some grants secured.
The council introduced Ordinance 2026-OR-01, the FY2027 budget and tax-rate ordinance, at the special legislative session; the ordinance will proceed to the formal adoption sequence with opportunities for amendments between introduction and adoption. The council also formally excused two members' absences as part of the legislative meeting record.
Next steps: staff said updated budget documents reflecting the format changes will be posted as the council considers amendments in the coming weeks before adoption.
