Riverdale Park council reviews new FY27 CIP format and several grant‑dependent projects

Deputy Director Jones walked the Riverdale Park Town Council through a restructured Capital Improvement Program format and a list of new and existing projects proposed for fiscal year 2027. The new layout, Jones said, adds a project narrative, estimated total cost, FY27 cost and projected completion date for each entry and includes a progress banner to indicate procurement or construction status.

"Some of the things I want to speak about on this page are the revenue sources that we have for fiscal year 27," Jones said, listing State of Maryland highway user funds at $349,576, updated grant revenue at $1,693,714 and a $1,498,000 transfer from the general fund, of which $200,000 is earmarked for grant matches. He said several new projects are grant‑dependent and staff will not begin full work until funding is confirmed.

Among new projects highlighted were portable police radios (estimated total $414,000; FY27 $39,000), a LiveScan fingerprint system ($30,870 total), DPW yard improvements ($100,000), several park and lighting initiatives, and a municipal center solar project (total estimated $355,794, FY27 $355,794). Jones told council members that for projects where grant documentation exists staff include awarded amounts in the totals; where awards are pending, the budget shows expected FY27 expenditures and staff will adjust via budget amendment if grants arrive midyear.

Council members asked for clearer presentation of net versus gross costs so the public can see how much remains to finish multiyear projects. "If something's like total cost is $700,000 and we're spending $30,000 this year, it's helpful to know how much will need to be allocated in future years," the mayor said. Jones agreed to update the CIP layout to separate grant and local contributions and to provide a phase‑level breakdown for long‑running projects such as the municipal center.

Council member Fauh urged staff to look at ways the solar installation could support municipal electric vehicles; the town manager said staff had considered future uses and noted a realistic five‑ to seven‑year horizon for any building transfer and redevelopment tied to the municipal center.

Staff also flagged a proposed Jefferson and Spring Lane streetlight project that requires coordination with Pepco and could range from a modest upgrade (under $30,000) to a wholesale replacement (up to roughly $600,000) depending on scope.

Staff committed to publish corrected CIP pages with the revised format, to email a farmers‑market and grant uptake summary before next week's work session, and to provide future reports that make it easier to see how much remains to complete each multiyear project.