Dear Neighbors:
The City Council will meet twice this week, on Monday, April 25 in a special budget session, and then our regular meeting on Wednesday, April 27, which includes a Public Hearing on the budget and proposed property tax increase. At our final Monday session on May 2, through the budget Reconciliation process the Council will determine cuts or increases to the budget, and make a preliminary decision on the property tax rate. We’re scheduled to formally vote on the budget and tax rate at our May 11 and 18 meetings. See the Budget Update section below for more details.
April 25 Meeting: The April 25 Budget session will be focused primarily on the City’s capital budget, along with discussions on the Police K-9 program and the License Plate Reader program. Here’s a link to the meeting agenda: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-monday-april-25-2022/. To make public comments in-person for the April 25 meeting, come to the Community Center auditorium at 7:30 PM. To comment remotely via Zoom, sign up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fsH1eWHlRNW4z7fboeibkQ
April 27 Meeting: As noted above, the April 27 meeting starts with a Public Hearing on the Budget and Property Tax Rate: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220427-1and2.pdf. We also have three scheduled votes: on the budget amendment discussed in last week’s meeting; on revisions to the sign ordinance; and on the Police Employees Retirement Plan Amendment. In the Work Session, we’ll discuss a diesel fuel contract, and requests for street closures from the Old Takoma Business Association; and then we’ll finish with a de-briefing on the recent City redistricting process. Here’s a link to the April 27 meeting agenda: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-april-27-2022/. For more information on the agenda items see below.
To make a comment in-person for the April 27 meeting, including the Public Hearing, come to the Community Center auditorium at 7:30 PM. To comment remotely, sign up by 5:00 PM on Wednesday: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6LG4JeKjSZaBTuADsFirdA
You can watch this week’s meetings on City TV (RCN -- 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity -- 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios -- 28), on the City Council Video Page; on YouTube, or on Facebook.
CITY BUDGET UPDATE
On April 6 the City Manager submitted his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins July 1. In his presentation he stated that the budget is “largely maintenance of effort. Budget increases in the General Fund generally reflect a return to pre-pandemic levels of service, as opposed to an expansion of services or new programming.” As I’ve stated before, I agree with that approach, given that the worst of the pandemic is seemingly winding down. And I’d add that most of the major new spending in the proposed budget comes from Federal ARPA monies, which -- while part of the City budget -- aren’t funded through our local property tax.
However, the budget proposal does call for a substantial increase in the property tax -- 3 cents higher per $100 of properties’ assessed value. With many properties seeing significant increases in their recent re-assessments, that rate hike could mean homeowners would potentially be paying hundreds of dollars more on their tax bills, depending on their assessments. So a key goal for me as our work on the budget moves forward is to seek reductions in spending that would enable us to bring down the proposed rate at least to its current level, and perhaps lower.
In terms of the specific numbers, the proposed budget calls for a property tax increase from $0.5397 per $100 of assessed value to $0.5697. For a home valued at $600,000, the current .5397 rate produces a City tax bill of $3,238, and the proposed rate of .5697 results in a tax of $3,418, an increase of $180. But that’s if there’s no change in the assessment. As noted above, many residents are seeing significantly higher increases. And of course, the $600,000 value referred to above is solely for illustrative purposes; many properties are already assessed well above that level, and they would face correspondingly higher tax increases, potentially hundreds of dollars more. This interactive map gives a sense for the kinds of increases homeowners have seen in the recent re-assessment: https://r.takomaparkmd.gov/property/property-tax-map-points.html.
In this year’s budget each one cent increase in the tax rate is equal to $267,000. So if the Council agrees to net budget cuts of that amount, the tax rate can be reduced by one cent. Cutting expenditures by three times that amount or a net of $802,000 in savings would bring the tax rate back to the current level. I’d add that the Constant Yield Rate -- the rate calculated by the State to produce the same amount of revenue in the next fiscal year as in this one -- is .5195. That’s roughly another two cents lower than the current rate, meaning further net reductions of roughly $534,000 would be needed to get there. I’m optimistic we’ll be able to at least bring the proposed tax rate back to its current level. I’m not sure whether we can get below that level and closer to Constant Yield, though I’ll certainly be exploring options to do so. Even at Constant Yield, some residents could still face increased tax bills if their assessments were much higher. In any case, we should have a clearer sense of what’s possible after this Monday’s session on the capital budget, and once we get further feedback from staff on some of the other key areas in the budget where Councilmembers have requested clarification.
Monday’s session will also include discussions on the Police K-9 program and the License Plate Reader (LPR) program. There are detailed memos and background material on both topics included in the link to the agenda for Monday’s meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-monday-april-25-2022/. Having read through that material, my reactions are that we should end the K-9 program (which I’ve voted against previously), and while I’m leaning toward retaining the LPR program, I will be listening carefully to the presentation to make sure I have a good understanding of any civil liberties concerns around it.
Finally, there are two opportunities for people to talk to me about the budget, as follows:
Office Hours, Tuesday, April 26, 4:00 - 6:00 PM: I’ll be holding another Office Hours session in the public area of the Laurel Avenue Streetery (in front of the Post Office). Residents are welcome to drop by to discuss the budget or any other topic. No appointments required.
Zoom Link for Ward One Budget Discussion, Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 - 9:00 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81116972547?pwd=SkZTREFSSXJraDY4UUpkOEdBUHVDZz09
COVID UPDATE
The COVID Dashboard is updated through April 2: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. Per City staff there were 32 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the 20912 zip code in the last week, compared to 34 the previous week; new cases per 100,000 residents over the last 7 days are at 122 (compared to 129.6 in the last update), still a "high" transmission level per CDC guidance. Montgomery County's Community Level -- which is based on transmission levels, as well as hospitalizations due to COVID-19, and which the CDC now uses to provide individual and community-level guidance -- remains "low." Cases are up 76% in the last 14 days in Montgomery County, and hospitalizations up 11%; the County's test positivity rate is still just 2%. Data on the specific metrics making up the CDC's community level in Montgomery County can be found here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/data/
The 20912 zip code’s fully-vaccinated rate remained static at 69.9%, and the at-least first dose vaccination rate also remained static at 79.5% (we suspect this may be caused by data reporting delays, given the relatively large increase from two weeks ago to last week). There was 1 new death due to COVID-19 reported in the 20912 zip code since last week, bringing the zip code's total to 50 since the start of the pandemic.
PCR Testing at the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center: April 27 from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/extended-onsite-covid-19-testing-every-wednesday-in-march/. Test kits and masks will be given to each person after testing.
Mask/Testing Kit Distribution: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/covid-19-rapid-test-kits-and-kn95-masks-available-now/. The Takoma Park Library is continuing to distribute N95 masks and COVID rapid testing kits during all open hours.
Other COVID resources: Vaccines for children ages 5 - 11: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/covid-19-vaccines-are-now-available-for-children-aged-5-11/; vaccines for people who are 12 and older: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; Testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; Food aid: Submit an online request for help with food resources or call 240-777-0311. The City is partnering with the Salvation Army to help residents with utility bills: email to housing @takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7119.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Takoma Metro Station Development: https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/over-300-apartments-retail-park-and-plaza-proposed-at-takoma-metro-station/19341. The EYA development company is proposing a new design for its apartment building at the Metro Station parking lot. There will be several opportunities to participate in informational meetings about the proposal, including an ANC meeting on April 25 at 7:00 PM, and a Takoma Park meeting in May (time and date to be announced). The project is expected to enter the formal DC approval process in the summer. For information on the ANC meeting agenda and how to participate: https://anc4b.com/category/agendas/
Takoma Foundation Spring Grant Cycle -- April 29 Deadline: The Takoma Foundation raises funds to advance the social, environmental, economic, educational and cultural interests of the greater Takoma Park community. In this cycle, the Foundation will award general operating grants of up to $5,000 to support utility bills, fundraising, board and leadership development, salaries, meeting expenses, materials, or a specific project. See the grant guidelines at: takomafoundation.org/grants/guidelines and apply here: takomafoundation.org/grants-app.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day -- Saturday, April 30: The Police Department will participate in Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Bring unused medications to the collection boxes in the first floor Police lobby of the Community Center. Prescription, over-the-counter and pet medications will be accepted. In addition, vape pens and other e-cigarette devices are now accepted BUT only after the batteries are removed. Items that CANNOT be left are liquids, inhalers, aerosol cans, regular household ointments/lotions, needles/sharps and/or thermometers.
National Bike Month: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/celebrate-national-bike-month-with-takoma-park/. May is National Bike Month, and Takoma Park is participating in Bike to School Day on May 4 and Bike to Work Day on May 20.
Takoma Park Safe Routes Virtual 5K Run, May 15 - 31: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/planning-and-community-development/safe-routes-to-school/tkpk5k-challenge/. The proceeds from this annual event will benefit health, fitness, bike, and pedestrian safety activities at five local schools.
Local Artist Directory: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/takoma-artery-launches-new-artist-directory/. This new directory showcases local artists, and includes information on how to contact them and/or purchase their works.
VOTING SESSION
Budget Amendment: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220420-6.pdf. Periodically the Council considers amendments which reflect spending changes due to slower than anticipated work on projects and programs, temporary staff changes, and other factors that may require shifting of funds from one fiscal year to the next. This budget amendment also reflects the use of ARPA funds for programs that had been expected to be covered by the regular budget. The amendment’s net impact is over $5 million in reductions to the budget, though most of that represents spending that will be moved to next fiscal year’s budget connected to the Library project. The remainder -- approximately $936,000 in net reductions -- comes from an array of mostly smaller cuts. In this past week’s discussion, several of my colleagues and I requested more details from City staff on which of the reductions would be shifted from the current Fiscal Year 2022 budget to FY 23, as opposed to simply being cut. Once the staff provides more specifics on those points we’ll be in a better position to understand the impact of this amendment and also how it relates to the proposed budget for next year.
Sign Ordinance: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220427-4.pdf. The City’s sign ordinance was suspended around the time the pandemic began to emerge in 2020, and the suspension expires June 30. Reinstating the ordinance to promote free expression while curbing unsightly clutter is challenging, given recent court rulings which limit cities’ ability to restrict signs based on their content. I had several concerns about the initial draft of the ordinance re-write, which have been addressed. To be specific, the draft has been amended to allow slightly larger signs, to no longer require the name of the person who posted the sign (the sponsoring group or individual would still need to be listed), and to clarify requirements on posting near City facilities. With those changes, and having received answers to some questions from the City Attorney, I support the amended ordinance. I voted in favor of it when the Council approved it 6 - 1 last week on an initial vote, and I’ll be voting for it again on the final vote. You can see video of my exchange with the City Attorney starting at the 52:45 mark in this link: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/.
Police Employees Retirement Plan Amendment: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220427-5.pdf. The Council will take a final vote on a technical adjustment to the effective date for the Deferred Retirement Option Plan to ensure eligible applicants can apply, despite administrative delays in developing the application forms. I voted yes when the Council endorsed the proposal last week on a 7 - 0 vote, and I’ll be doing so again this week.
WORK SESSION
Diesel Fuel Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220427-6.pdf. We’ll be reviewing a contract for purchase of diesel fuel, which the City uses for its larger vehicles, such as trash and recycling trucks.
OTBA Temporary Street Closure Requests: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220427-7.pdf. The Council will discuss the Old Takoma Business Association’s requests to close City Streets (primarily the 6900 block of Laurel Avenue) for various events they are hosting this year.
Redistricting Debrief: Following the recent completion of the decennial Ward re-districting process, the Council will discuss the process and issues for future consideration.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments about anything in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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