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Riverdale Park proposes balanced FY27 budget with no tax-rate increase; staff point to state grant and personnel costs
Summary
Town staff presented a balanced FY2027 budget that keeps tax rates and fee schedules unchanged, includes proposed salary and benefit cost increases, and reflects a confirmed state allocation of about $1.275 million for town projects. Five-year projections show growing deficits without additional revenue or PAYGO.
Town staff presented a proposed FY2027 budget April 13 that would keep the town's tax rates and Chapter 23 fee schedule unchanged while showing notable increases in personnel costs and operating lines.
At the hearing the presenter said the proposal holds "the tax rate for real property tax, for operating tax, for business personal property tax, for emission and amusement tax, that all those rates remain unchanged," and that staff used a 3.8% inflation assumption in five-year projections. The budget document presented on screen shows a year-over-year proposed salary increase of 9.31% and benefit increases of roughly 14.3%.
Deputy Director Jones told the council the FY27 operating budget totals $13,122,142, with local taxes making up about 70% of revenue and the town's automated safety programs accounting for roughly 23.6% of projected receipts. "Salaries and wages is at 43%, benefits 23%," Jones said in overview of major categories.
Staff also announced a confirmed state allocation described in the meeting as "1.275" for town projects; staff characterized the funds as earmarked for specific projects and urged council and the community to acknowledge those who secured the award. In materials, staff present projected transfers to the CIP of roughly $1.5 million in FY27 alongside targeted transfers to economic development and other funds.
Council members and staff repeatedly cautioned that the town's five-year projections expect widening gaps later in the forecast period if the town does not add PAYGO or other recurring revenues. "If these numbers hold true... you're starting with deficits," Jones said, urging the council to consider long-range options.
Why it matters: The proposed budget preserves current tax levels while increasing personnel and operating costs. The confirmed state allocation provides near-term project funding, but staff warned that absent new revenue sources the town will face structural pressure in later years, prompting questions about reserves and long-term priorities.
Next steps: Staff said they will introduce the ordinance on April 27, hold a public hearing on tax rates the following Monday, and seek adoption in mid-May to meet county reporting deadlines.
