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Rockville council adopts 2026–27 budget, sets certified tax rate after resident questions about legal fees
Summary
Rockville's Town Council unanimously adopted the 2026–27 final budget and approved a certified property‑tax rate of 0.001138% after a public hearing in which residents questioned a $30,000 litigation line item. Council members said the allocation covers legal defense and mandated reviews and noted the budget can be amended during the fiscal year.
The Rockville Town Council on June 10 approved the town’s 2026–27 final budget and set the certified tax rate after a short public hearing in which residents pressed officials about legal‑fee spending.
Mayor Pam Leach called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and the council unanimously approved the agenda before opening the budget hearing. During public comment, resident Garth Tyler questioned a $30,000 budget line labeled for litigation, asking, "what in the world is the Town spending $30,000 on litigation for?" He proposed cutting the amount to $6,000 per year.
Clerk Shelley D. Cox and Mayor Leach responded that the litigation line covers legal defense, attorney advice and occasional land‑use litigation or mandates; it is not intended to target residents. Clerk Cox said the draft budget projection reduced an earlier estimated shortfall — initially discussed as about $18,000 — to roughly $6,000 based on projected sales‑tax receipts and available fund balance. "These amounts are projections and the total amount may not all be spent," Cox said, noting unspent funds remain available in the general fund and the council can amend the budget during the year.
After discussion the council closed the hearing by unanimous vote and passed Ordinance No. 26‑0610‑1 adopting the annual budget. The council also unanimously approved Resolution No. 26‑0610‑2 to set the certified tax rate for fiscal year 2026–27 at 0.001138%, which Clerk Cox said is projected to yield about $91,383 in town property‑tax revenue.
Council members stressed that the legal‑services allocation is a routine budget contingency for necessary counsel. Councilmember Jeff Ballard said he was "offended to think the citizens feel the Town would go after them," adding the line is for defense or when legal advice is required. Skyler Davis, a resident who commented at the hearing, said he was concerned legal costs could continue to grow.
The council then approved routine consent items — May 13 minutes, May expenditures and May financial statements — by unanimous vote. Mayor Leach said the town will monitor revenues and expenses and may amend the budget if needed.
Ordinance No. 26‑0610‑1 and Resolution No. 26‑0610‑2 passed by unanimous vote of the four council members present: Mayor Pam Leach, Andy Efstratis, Megan Honer‑Orton and Jeff Ballard. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
