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.

by Kaysi-Ann Webley, Special Projects Coordinator

As the vibrant colors of spring blossom around us, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the joys of walking and cycling to school or work and for leisure. Spring is an ideal season for embracing sustainable and active commuting options. Let’s review the importance of seasonal safety checks and how we can collectively contribute to a greener future during Earth Month.

1. Embrace the Spring Advantage: Spring brings longer days, milder temperatures, and refreshing breezes that beckon us outdoors. It’s an opportune time to encourage our students and remind ourselves to walk or cycle to school or work, reaping the benefi ts of increased physical activity and getting a positive start to the day.

2. Seasonal Safety Checks for Safer Routes: Just as we prepare our homes for the changing seasons, it’s essential to conduct safety checks for bicycles and pedestrian pathways. Ensure that bikes are in good condition by inspecting the ABC’s: Air in tires is sufficient; Brakes are not worn; Chains and cranks are not loose, rusted, or gunked up. In addition, make sure that your bike has functioning lights and bells. Pedestrians should be sure to use sidewalks, pathways, and crosswalks. Please report issues to 311 or online using MY-TKPK so that issues can be addressed to create and maintain safer routes throughout our city.

3. Navigating Changing Weather Conditions: As temperatures fluctuate during spring, it’s crucial to be prepared for changing weather conditions. Dress in layers, wear refl ective gear, and carry rain gear on cloudy days. Remember to be mindful of wet surfaces, especially after rain, and to always follow traffi c rules. By instilling and adopting good habits, we will be ready to navigate safely through any weather.

4. Earth Day and Eco-Friendly Commuting: As Earth Day approaches on April 22, let’s refl ect on the environmental impact of our daily choices. Walking and cycling to school and work contrib-ute signifi cantly to reducing our carbon footprint. These sustainable modes of transportation not only improve air quality but also foster a sense of envi-ronmental responsibility among our youth. This Earth Day, let’s commit to making a positive impact by embracing eco-friendly commuting initiatives.

5. Call to Action: Implementing Eco-Friendly Commuting: We urge resi-dents, schools, and businesses to come together to support eco-friendly commuting initiatives. Consider organizing walking or cycling events, establishing bike-sharing programs, or promoting carpooling among families. By collectively adopting these initiatives, we can create a culture of sustainability that benefits our environment and enhances the well-being of our community.

6. Get Ready for Bike Month in May: May is Bike Month! Check the City web-page for more bike information. Below are some of the programs we have planned.

• Bike to School Day is May 8. Please contact your school to get more in-formation.
•  Adult Learn-to-Ride Bike Class is May 11th at the Takoma Junc-tion parking lot. Class registration is sold out but we encourage you to sign-up for the waitlist to help us determine the need for future classes.
• Bike to Work Day is May 17. We have three stops this year: Takoma/Langley Crossroads, Downtown/Old Takoma, and Sligo Creek Trail on New Hampshire Avenue. For more information and to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.com/
• Free pop-up bike repairs. More in-formation on dates and locations will be available at waba.org/learn-toride/.
• Check out the 2019 Takoma Park Bike Map to plan your route. It is available for free from public buildings and bike shops in the city or online here.

Takoma Park Bikeways Projects
We want YOUR feedback on new bike-way projects! The City of Takoma Park is actively working on the designs for multiple bikeway projects, including the New Ave Bikeway on New Hampshire Avenue, an upgrade to the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and a redesign of Maple Avenue. Follow along with each project on the City’s website where you can learn about public events and opportunities to participate in the planning process! Visit bit.ly/TKPK-Bikeways

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and by embracing sustainable commuting options, we sow the seeds for a healthier, happier, and greener future. Let’s roll into spring.

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