The Takoma Park City Council last month voted to adopt the 2025 fiscal budget—beginning on July 1, 2024.

“I’m very pleased to announce that on May 15, the city council approved the fiscal year 2025 budget,” said Takoma Park Finance Director Susan Cheung. “The city will maintain the real property tax rate at 0.5522.”

The theme of the upcoming budget is “A Bridge Forward” to recognize “transitioning and evolving forward as we contend with challenges and with an eye to the future,” according to the proposed budget proposal released by City Manager Robert DiSpirito in early April.

In the Fiscal Year 25 budget, the General Fund revenue is $30.6 million, with the remainder of other fund revenue being $7.8 million, for a total revenue of $38.4 million. That total is also supplemented by the use of $206,997 in bond reserve, $1.4 million from the other reserves, and $2.6 million other fund balances, for a consolidated total revenue of $42.7 million.

The total General Fund expenditure is $32.2 million, and all other funds expenditure is $10.4 million for a total expenditure of $42.7 million. As a result, the total consolidated revenue and total consolidated expenditure maintain the same balance of $42.7 million. Department expenditures with be $4,797,487 or 1.5% less than in 2024 due to a $287,003 decrease in operating expenses.

Some of the financial challenges the city faces in the coming year are related to higher inflationary expenses, the dwindling balance remaining in the city’s account containing the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and increased costs of employee compensation.

Staffing in the city should remain level, as no additional full-time positions have been proposed.

While the majority of the city’s $17.5 million in ARPA funds have been allocated, DiSpirito has proposed using the remainder as a bridge to address ongoing mayor and council priorities. The city manager proposed using $6,980,140 in remaining ARPA funds for projects including street rehabilitation, sidewalk design and construction, continuing support for library construction, the community center atrium renovation project, mental health crisis counselors, expanding public safety critical police dispatch, a food insecurity program, and a community connectors program.

Other mayor and council initiatives that will be addressed with the General Fund include

• Funding for emergency rental assistance

• Funding for small business grants

• Increased funding of the Equipment Replacement Reserve by $900,000 (compared to $550,000 in FY2024)

• Continued funding of $142,000 for the City’s local supplement to State Homeowner Property Tax Credit Program

• Contribution of $600,000 to fund the Library Construction Contingency Reserve

• Contribution for Community Events Grants of $60,000

• Various Quality of Life grants

• Recreational scholarships

• The Housing Reserve Fund

• Emergency Tree Removal

• Summer Enrichment program, Community Play, and Farmers Market grants

• Stormwater Capital Improvement expenditures

Funds will also be used for police funding for bike patrol unit equipment, field radio equipment, mobile computers, and overtime for designated and additional patrols, as well as funding for a traffic study.

There is also $4.2 million in Special Reserve Funds for projects including grants for the New Hampshire Avenue Bikeway ($350,000), the Maple Avenue Connectivity Project ($240,000), the Metropolitan Branch Trail Project ($425,000), Program Open Space to add to the Capital Acquisition Fund ($60,000), and CDBG Neighborhood Improvements for the Houston Court Biofiltration Project ($91,000). Those funds will also be allocated for CityTV equipment and temporary relocation.

“Despite the fiscal restraints that we face, this FY2025 proposed budget intends to continue programs and services that help renters, small business owners, immigrants, young people, and seniors as we strive to create a livable community for all,” DiSpirito said.

The fully adopted budget book will be available in mid-August as the city’s finance department works to compile numbers and coordinate with the city’s various departments. The city will then send the budget to the Government Finance Officers Association for consideration for its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which it has won over the past five years.

Cheung said there are four main highlights in next year’s budget, including keeping the real property tax rate level.

“We were able to reach the unassigned reserve balance targets,” Cheung said, in reference to city funds that have not been assigned to other areas. “This is one of the most significant achievements in the budget with the city reaching our target in the General Fund at $5.2 million, which represents 17% of the total revenue. This is important to our city’s financial health and future stability.”

The city was also able to reduce its expenditures from $36.4 million in 2024 to $32 million in 2025.

“Our ability to meet the reserve target is largely due to the strategic expenditure reductions,” Cheung said. “Under the guidance of city manager and senior leadership team, we conducted several rounds of expenditure reviews and reductions before the proposed budget was announced. That significant reduction is mainly due to decreases in capital improvement expenditures that were budgeted at $1.4 million for 2025 down from $6.3 million in 2024. There’s a lot of reduction giving us excess funds to put into the reserve.”

These budget goals will help the city significantly as its long-term financial needs continue to be met, said Cheung.

“Maintaining the tax rate and reaching the 17% reserve were the key objectives in our long-term financial forecast,” she said. “Achieving these goals demonstrates the city’s adherence to prudent financial management.”

A new source of funding for the city’s police department, according to the budget documents, is a Red Light Camera Fund that is set to begin in July of this year. The anticipated revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 is about $1.3 million. The funds will go to a special revenue reserve fund in the police department—rather than the general fund— since the purpose is to address public safety.The funds are supplementing declining speed camera funds the resulted from improved driving behavior. DiSpirito hopes  to eventually use the money to fund a new transit planner position to address pedestrian and traffic safety.

Takoma Park’s budget process is a months-long endeavor involving every department in the city.

“I want to acknowledge and thank the city manager and two deputy city managers [Andrew Bolduc and David Eubanks] and all the city leadership team members,” Cheung said. “The city manager’s budget planning—together with the effective coordination of the council—has significantly enhanced the efficiency of the budget process. A special thanks goes to my team members, particularly our Budget & Accounting Manager, who managed to complete the budget book within a very tight timeline.”

DiSpirito also recognized the finance team in his budget proposal, writing: “I wish to thank the dedicated, hard-working, and professional City of Takoma Park staff who continue to deliver quality services to our residents. Special recognition goes to Finance Director Susan Cheung, Budget & Accounting Manager Ron Kawaley, and the rest of the award-winning Finance Department team, for all of their leadership, talent, and hard work.”

For continued updates on the city’s budget, visit  takomaparkmd.gov/government/finance.

This article appeared in the June Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

In May, Takoma Park celebrated Bike Month with a flurry of pedal-powered activities and community engagement. From school rides to workplace commutes, the city embraced the spirit of cycling in true Takoma Park fashion.

• Bike to School Day: Students from five local schools—East Silver Spring Elementary, Piney Branch Elementary, Rolling Terrace Elementary, Takoma Park Elementary, and Takoma Park Middle School—got the wheels turning by pedaling their way to school. Piney Branch and Rolling Terrace Elementary schools also held a week of bike safety classes.
• Adult Learn to Ride Class: With a remarkable interest in cycling, 80 individuals signed up to join our adult learn-to-ride class. There were only 15 spaces available, so we hope to offer more classes next year!
• Bike to Work Day: Takoma Park professionals ditched their cars and embraced eco-friendly commuting during Bike to Work Day. Three pit stops provided cyclists with refreshments and encouragement, fostering a sense of camaraderie and a love of biking among participants.
• Free Bike Repair Pop-ups: Keeping Takoma Park’s wheels turning smoothly, free bike repair pop-ups at the Takoma Park Farmers Market and Crossroads Farmers Market ensured that cyclists could ride with confidence.

A big thank you goes out to Rosalind Grisby, Ramon Sola, Ma’isah Bateman, Rich VanMetter for their vital support, along with the staff and PTSAs of our five Safe Routes to Schools. Your commitment to promoting cycling safety and accessibility in Takoma Park is inspiring.

Thanks as well to our local sponsors: Bike Werks, Takoma Bicycle, Takoma Langley Crossroads Development Authority, and Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op.

Although Bike Month is at an end, Takoma Park reaffirms its commitment to building a more bike-friendly community, one pedal stroke at a time.

This article appeared in the June Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

With more than 40 years of experience between them, Takoma Park crossing guards Virina “Miss Liz” James and Pam “Miss Pam” Sprouse know what it takes to keep the city’s children safe while walking to school.

“The most important part of the job is the children; they’re so precious to us. I call them my babies,” says Miss Liz, who also goes by “Grandma Liz.” “My main thing is that I know the safety rules so I can teach them to the children and their parents.”

“As a crossing guard and person, I feel like the children look up to me and see me as a trusted person,” says Miss Pam. “Kids are important, but being out on the street on a busy corner I also have to maintain some politeness with the drivers as well. I need to give them respect, so that they respect me.”

Miss Liz joined the Takoma Park crossing guards after working in the Clinton administration through the 1990s. She says she applied for the job after being asked by a city official, but had also applied for a job with Metro at the same time.

“My thought was that I was going to accept the first job that was offered to me,” she says. “And, as fate would have it, the crossing guard job accepted me first and Metro gave me an offer two hours later.”

Miss Liz has now been with the city for 25 years.

For Miss Pam, becoming a crossing guard also seemed like it was destined to happen. “I always looked up to the crossing guards growing up in Hyattsville,” she says.

Miss Pam was a stay-at-home mother until her husband had a health scare, and she decided to work with him as a paint technician. After about eight years working together, her husband saw an opening as a crossing guard in Takoma Park and she decided to apply for the job. She’s been protecting Takoma Park’s streets now for almost 16 years.

“They call me the neighborhood grandma,” says Miss Pam, who has a few grandchildren of her own in addition to the countless children who cross her streets near Piney Branch Elementary every school day. “They call out ‘Hey, Miss Pam’ and give hugs and tell me about losing their baby teeth.”

After all those years watching children grow, Miss Liz and Miss Pam have become a big part in the lives of the children who cross their streets.

“Some kids were crossing in kindergarten and now they’re out of college and still come to visit,” says Miss Liz. “They say, ‘Miss Liz, you haven’t changed,’ and I say, ‘I stay the same just for you.’”

Miss Liz says she had one young lady come to her recently asking her if she remembered telling the girl that if she graduated college, she would give her a gift.

“And she says, ‘Well I just graduated from Montgomery College and I’m going to send you some photos from graduation to enjoy and cherish,’” she says. “So I made sure to give her a little graduation cash and she gave me the biggest hug.”

For Miss Pam, the children in her life help keep her protected just as much as she does for them.

“One day, I was having a rough time and was really down, and there was a little boy— I’d call him honey and he called me sweetie— and one day he walked by and turned around and ran back and hugged me, and it was exactly what I needed,” she says. “All those hugs are priceless.”

The children also find ways to show their appreciation for Miss Liz, who has been guarding the corner of Maple and Sherman Avenues.

“I had a birthday and all these kids came by and hugged me and that’s when the waterworks came on,” she says. “Next thing I know, two other children had instruments and started playing. I told them I would always have a place in my heart for them, and it still touches me to this day.”

Of course, for them the job is always about safety, whether it’s teaching children the rules of pedestrian safety or working to keep drivers from driving dangerously.

Miss Pam said she had one little boy who would be running from his mother and generally not obeying the rules of street safety.

“The next day, the boy came back with his father to talk with me about being safe,” she says. “I told him, ‘This corner is my office, these sidewalks are my hallways, and you don’t run in the hallways at school, right?’ I had to put it in his terms and on his level so he understood.”

But it isn’t all about teaching children, drivers must also remember to be vigilant, especially in school zones.

“Please, please obey the signs and our crossing guards and when you see a school bus with the red lights flashing do not pass it,” says Miss Pam. “You never know when a little tiny child may dart off away from us. We’re there to help, and not to upset drivers.”

Miss Pam says making sure they have the respect of drivers is incredibly important in keeping the streets safe for pedestrians. She recalled a time when a Metro bus driver had moved into an intersection where people needed to cross, and she made them reverse out of it.

“The next day, he pulled up before the crosswalk and gave me the thumbs up,” she says. “You know you’ve earned their respect if they back out of an intersection and give you a thumbs up.”

“This is why they put cameras on the school buses,” says James. “People need to learn to obey the law and obey us. We are the grandmothers of our corners.”

If you’d like to say “Hi” to one of Takoma Park’s crossing guards, Along with Miss Liz and Miss Pam, they are Donna Warren at Philadelphia and Cedar, Emma Reyes at Philadelphia and Holly, Edward Welch at Takoma Junction at Ethan Allen; Carrol Jordan Bondo at Philadelphia and Maple; Harriet Saxton at Maple and Grant.

This article appeared in the June Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

Now that the Maryland primary election is over, our thoughts turn to the November general election and City of Takoma Park election for mayor and city council.

Two Separate Elections on November 5, 2024
• Presidential General Election
• City of Takoma Park Election

The Takoma Park Election for mayor and city council is separate from the Maryland presidential election process. Remember to vote in BOTH elections if you are eligible.

City Nominating Caucus: Tuesday, September 10
Takoma Park residents interested in running for mayor or city council should plan to attend the nominating caucus on Tuesday, September 10.  A candidate must receive a nomination and a second to that nomination to have their name placed on the ballot. Watch for notice of a candidate information session to take place in June. Anyone interested in running for offi ce is welcome to contact the city clerk at clerk@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7267.

Takoma Park Vote-by-Mail
In October, Takoma Park Board of Elections will send a vote-by-mail city election ballot to every active registered voter. You may return the ballot by mail in the enclosed prepaid envelope or drop the ballot in an official Takoma Park Ballot Drop Box at one of two locations:
• Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave., lower-level parking lot)
• Takoma Park Recreation Center (7315 New Hampshire Ave.)

Absentee Ballots
If you expect to be out of town through election day and want your ballot sent to an address other than your Takoma Park residence, submit that request to the City Clerk’s Office.

Election Day Voting
The Community Center will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day for residents who prefer to vote in person or residents not yet registered. Remember that only the Takoma Park Election for mayor and city council will take place at the Community Center. To vote in the presidential election on November 5, you will go to your regular precinct polling place.

Who Can Register and Vote in Takoma Park Elections for Mayor and City Council?
Any Takoma Park resident who will be 16 by election day is eligible to vote in city elections. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement. If you are already registered at an address in the City, you need not register again. If you are not registered, you may register to vote in Takoma Park elections if you
• are a resident of the City of Takoma Park;
• will be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
• do not claim the right to vote in another municipality;
• have not been convicted of buying or selling votes; and
• are not under guardianship for mental disability or if you are, you have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.

Ranked Choice Voting
Takoma Park elects candidates using ranked choice voting. Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3 and so on). If a candidate receives a majority of votes, they are elected. In the event no candidate receives a majority, an instant runoff is held. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who chose that candidate as their first choice have their next choice counted. The process continues until one candidate achieves a majority of votes.

This article was featured in the Takoma Park Newsletter May 2024 Edition.

On April 3, Takoma Park City Manager Robert DiSpirito presented his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025), which begins on July 1, 2024.

No Tax Rate Increase Proposed

The proposed budget keeps the real property tax rate at 55.22 cents per assessed valuation, despite a drop in revenue from other key sources. Throughout April, the City Council has been reviewing and discussing the budget, holding work sessions, and listening to public comment.

The council is expected to vote on the budget on May 8 and 15.

Once the budget is adopted, it can only be changed through the budget amendment process. This is sometimes necessary to reflect changes that occur throughout the fiscal year.

Transitions and Challenges

Manager DiSpirito has titled the draft budget “A Bridge Forward,” stating that Takoma Park faces several realities that will reduce city revenue and increase expenses. Proposed expenditures for FY2025 are $32,245,760 versus projected revenues of $30,586,928. This is a difference of approximately $1.6 million. The proposed budget intends to cover the deficit by assigning $206,997 in interest from the Library Bond Reserve and about $1.4 million from the Unassigned Reserve Fund.

Manager DiSpirito is identifying this as a one-year measure to fill the gap, while maintaining city services, fully funding reserves at the council policy level of 17%, and holding the line on the real property tax rate. DiSpirito has voiced his commitment to developing strategies over the next year to begin to return the city to a more solid and sustainable fi nancial footing.

Manager DiSpirito cites the following financial challenges that the city will face in FY2025:

• The ongoing impact of unavoidable higher inflationary expenses on capital improvement projects and the procurement of necessary equipment, commodities, and services
• The dwindling balance remaining in the city’s account containing the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund
• The increased cost of employee compensation (salaries, wages, and benefits) resulting from the implementation of two new multi-year employee collective bargaining agreements (AFSCME and UFCW Local #400) as well as needed adjustments for non-represented employees, for both the new FY2025 budget and retroactively for FY2024
• The announced reduction in tax duplication funds from Montgomery County
• The continued decline in cable TV revenues
• The continued decline in speed camera revenues
• Possible reduction by the State of Maryland for shared Highway User Revenue funds.

General Fund Reserve Balance Policy Goal Restored

Despite the financial pinch, the proposed FY2025 budget returns the General Fund’s Unassigned Reserve Balance to 17%, which is the financial policy goal previously set by the mayor and council, based on recommendations from the Government Finance Officers Association. The Unassigned Reserve balance of the current FY2024 Budget was approximately 14%.

Personnel Level Is Stable

For the General Fund, no additional full-time positions are proposed. While there is not a universal hiring freeze in place, some currently vacant positions are proposed to be strategically re-purposed for other positions in FY2025. A minor net reduction of 1.98 in overall full-time positions is forecast based on an adjustment of hours for some current seasonal and part-time positions.

Red Light Camera Fund

DiSpirito expects to raise approximately $1.3 million in FY2025 through red light cameras that will document and fine traffic violators. These funds are proposed to go to a special revenue reserve fund in the Police Department, not the General Fund, since the purpose of this revenue is to address public safety. The Red Light Camera fund will supplement declining revenues from the current and ongoing Speed Camera fund. DiSpirito proposes that some amount of new revenue from the Red Light Camera fund be earmarked for a transit planner, who will be tasked with improving pedestrian and traffic safety.

Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds

Many ARPA funds—which the federal government disbursed to Takoma Park in 2021 in the amount of $17.5 million to address pandemic challenges—have been already allocated. DiSpirito proposes that the remaining funds address ongoing mayor and council priorities—while phasing out the city’s reliance on this revenue source. The draft budget proposes putting $6,980,140 in ARPA funds toward the following priorities:

• Additional funds for street rehabilitation
• Additional funds for sidewalk design and construction
• Continuing support for library construction
• The community center atrium renovation project, including
• Mental health crisis counselors
• Expanded public safety critical police dispatch
• A food insecurity program
• A community connectors program
• Community engagement software
• A document management platform program

The General Fund will continue to address the following priorities specified by the mayor and council:

• Continued funding for emergency rental assistance
• Continued funding for small business grants
• Increased funding of the Equipment Replacement Reserve by $900,000 (compared to $550,000 in FY2024)
• Continued funding of $142,000 for the City’s local supplement to State Homeowner Property Tax Credit Program
• Contribution of $600,000 to fund the Library Construction Contingency Reserve
• Contribution for Community Events Grants of $60,000
• Funding for various Quality of Life grants
• Funding for Recreational scholarships
• Contribution to the Housing Reserve Fund of $100,000
• Funding for Emergency Tree Removal, Summer Enrichment program, Community Play, and Farmers Market grants
• Stormwater Capital Improvement expenditures of $230,000 for the construction, maintenance, and repair of storm drains, inlets, channels, and ditches
• Increased funding for traffic calming and pedestrian safety projects
• Police funding for bike patrol unit equipment, field radio equipment, mobile computers, and overtime for designated and additional patrols
• Funding for a traffic study,
• Funding for a consultant to assist staff with developing and implementing a Performance Measurement Program, resulting in useful and meaningful metrics for the FY2026 Budget
• Funding in the amount of $4.2 million in Special Revenue Fund projects has been allocated for
  • City TV equipment, lighting, auditorium repairs, and temporary relocation of employees due to the library construction activity.
  • Grants for the New Hampshire Ave. Bikeway ($350,000), the Maple Ave. Connectivity Project ($240,000), the Met Branch Trail Project ($425,000), Program Open Space to add to the Capital Acquisition Fund ($60,000), and CDBG Neighborhood Improvements for Houston Court Biofiltration Project ($91,000).
  • Grants awarded from both State Library and Digital Inclusion, totaling $200,000, plus a $2.5 million transfer from the Cable Fund allocated to library construction
• Funding for street light upgrades and maintenance
• Funding towards the initial high-priority recommendations in the Public Space Management Plan
• Funding for patron-friendly library user software

“Despite the fiscal restraints that we face, this FY2025 proposed budget intends to continue programs and services that help renters, small business owners, immigrants, young people, and seniors as we strive to create a livable community for all,” stated DiSpirito.

The entire 300-page proposed budget can be found at takomaparkmd.gov, with further details about revenue and expenses, by department and division. The city council page provides up-to-date information about engaging with the city council as well as as information about council actions on the budget and other city matters.

This article was featured in the Takoma Park Newsletter May 2024 Edition.