Dear Neighbors: Below please find: I. Update on Budget Process, II. Council Agenda for April 10 and III. Council Agenda April 12.
I. Budget Update: The budget season has begun for the City. On April 12 the Acting City Manager will present a proposed FY ’23-24 Budget to be followed by two public hearings (4/19, 5/1) and reconciliation Work Sessions by the Council before a May 17 deadline. We are facing some difficult trade-offs this year between a desire to maintain the amount and level of services/programs and a desire to minimize the property tax burden (felt by both owners and renters). Note, County taxes are also expected to increase. We additionally need to restore a depleted reserve balance (“rainy-day fund”) and set a course for financial sustainability.
To address these competing values I envision two stages of engagement: 1) the more immediate choices on possible reductions and additions, and 2) longer term structural questions. I want to thank the Ward 3 residents who helped kick off such discussions by participating in my March 26 Spring Park budget meeting.
First, in order to inform the City Council’s reductions and additions debate over the next 6 weeks, I seek your suggestions on services/program or service levels that could be reduced or increased. I welcome any ideas (as specific as possible} that you have both now and later in response to a budget survey that I plan to post in the next week or so.
Second, in order to address longer term structural issues, I welcome your recommendations that may require further study or investigation by the Council, City staff or resident groups as part of this year’s work plan. These may involve a focus on fiscal, budgetary, strategic or programmatic challenges. Thank you for caring and taking part in our city’s budget and fiscal issues. I continue to listen and learn from your engagement. By the way, there is a Budget Town Hall, sponsored by Community Vision for Takoma, on Sunday April 16 from 2-3:30 at the Fire Hall. I hope to attend.
II Council Agenda April 10
AGENDA (PDF)6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation on Montgomery College Facilities Master Plan – Cover Memo (PDF)
2. Presentation from Montgomery Planning on Minor Master Plan Recommendations
III. Council Agenda April 12
AGENDA (PDF)6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
COUNCIL VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
The City Council will vote to convene in closed session at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 to receive legal advice and consider matters related to litigation (Opioid Settlement). The meeting will be closed pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(7) and (8). After the closed session, the Council will reconvene in the Auditorium for the regular meeting
7:30 PM
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE
FOR THE RECORD
Arbor Day Proclamation (PDF)
Proclamation Recognizing 40 Years of the Takoma Park Farmers Market
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN UP LINK. (To sign up for public comments over Zoom, registration must be completed by 5 PM on the day of the meeting.)
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON VOTING ITEMS
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
COUNCIL COMMENTS
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
PRESENTATION
1. Presentation of the City Manager’s Recommended FY 2024 Budget
VOTING SESSION
2. Resolution Adopting the 2023-2024 City Council Priorities
WORK SESSION
3. Police Procurement Items – Five Police Vehicles
ADJOURNMENT
Randy Gibson: Takoma Park Council Member Ward 3 