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Colmar Manor introduces FY2026 budget draft; treasurer projects modest surplus and proposes constant-yield tax rate
Summary
The council voted to introduce the FY2026 budget draft on March 18. Treasurer Baden outlined the draft, projecting a roughly $22,000 surplus for FY25, proposing a constant-yield municipal tax rate that would lower the residential rate to $0.75 per $100 assessed value, and projecting revenue from speed cameras and grant income.
Colmar Manor
The Colmar Manor Town Council voted on March 18 to introduce the fiscal year 2026 budget draft, beginning the public review process before a planned final vote in June.
Treasurer Baden gave a line-by-line overview of the draft budget, describing the packet format and how the document presents current-year amounts, estimates for the year, past-year actuals and the proposed fiscal-2026 figures. Baden said the town is currently projecting about a $22,000 surplus for FY25 and proposed using a constant-yield method so residents would not see a tax increase despite rising assessments.
"We will not generate any more revenue this year than we did last year," Baden said. He explained that, because assessed values rose, the proposed municipal rate would be reduced so the town collects roughly the same tax revenue; the proposal would lower the residential municipal rate from 81 to 75 per $100 of assessed value.
Baden also described available ARPA-designated funds and an estimated $248,706 balance, and outlined anticipated speed-camera revenue. "Based on the budget as proposed now, I'm looking at it about $216,000 [net from camera programs]," he said, explaining a gross projection of $420,000 minus vendor fees and a state remittance.
The council voted to introduce the budget (a procedural step that does not adopt the plan). Officials said the draft will be available for review, the town will solicit resident input through a short survey with small incentives, and the council will hold a required public hearing before adoption in June.
What this means: Introduction opens a several-month review period during which council members and residents can propose changes. Major line items discussed for potential change included salaries (a proposed 5% COLA), workers' compensation increases, street lighting, and waste collection increases tied to landfill fees.
