Riverdale Park manager presents balanced $13.12M FY27 budget; no tax rate increase proposed

The Town Manager presented the Town of Riverdale Park’s proposed fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budget to the council on April 6, describing a balanced plan with a total of $13,122,142 and no proposed tax‑rate increase.

“The budget guide is a 37‑page document and the summary is 42 pages,” the Town Manager said, noting that staff used conservative inflation assumptions and that the proposed budget represents an 11.89% year‑over‑year increase. He told the council the town has paid down its PNC loan and lowered debt service, creating space to fund targeted new positions without relying on transfers from other funds.

Why it matters: the budget sets the town’s spending priorities for public safety, infrastructure and community programs. Staff recommended a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment and potential merit increases (up to 2.5%), proposed a small net increase in authorized positions and signaled investments in economic development, events and building maintenance.

Key details and numbers

- Proposed FY27 total: $13,122,142 (11.89% increase year over year), presented by the Town Manager. - March month results (Director Jones): March revenues were reported at about $630,000 and expenditures about $677,000; year‑to‑date collections were roughly $10,900,000 (about 93% of the annual budget) with expenditures of roughly $7,400,000 (about 63% of budget). Director Jones offered to answer follow‑up questions. - Personnel and benefits: staff proposed a 2.5% COLA, possible performance increases up to 2.5% depending on step placement, and reported benefits rising roughly 14.3% year over year. The manager described shifting a pay‑range plan from 18 to 20 steps to provide additional longevity steps in later career years. - Contractual and operating drivers: contractual services are increasing (noted items include janitorial contracting, tree maintenance, expanded automated enforcement and a new legal‑services vendor); operating increases include street lighting and higher equipment/supply costs. - Pension funding: the town’s actuarial percent funded was reported at 78.3% (Bolton USA actuarial analysis). The manager said the town aims to improve that to the mid‑80s to 90% range over time. - Grants and capital notes: staff said an $850,000 grant agreement for town center projects is fully executed; staff reported they expect additional state funds for stormwater and Purple Line connectivity pending formal notifications. - Restricted revenues: neighborhood services fees and public safety restricted revenues (state police aid, automated enforcement) were discussed; the manager noted how restricted funds reduce the amount of general‑fund dollars used for public safety.

Council questions and staff responses

Council members asked whether eliminated positions were vacant or incumbents were being laid off; the Town Manager said one occupied position was eliminated through his action and that several part‑time positions remain unfilled. Council members also asked about the farmers market dollars program; the manager said $198,000 had been transferred into the economic development fund to support the program and staff can provide utilization reports on request.

Public access and next steps

The Town Manager said the budget guide and summary would be posted to the town website and emailed to the council the following day; the full budget book was expected online by week’s end. The first budget public hearing was scheduled for the coming Monday at 7 p.m., and staff indicated an ordinance and a tax rate public hearing were planned for late April/early May (no tax‑rate increase proposed).