Mayor and Council to Vote on FY 2021 Budget on May 11

The Mayor and Council are scheduled to vote Monday, May 11 on adoption of a city budget that responds to economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the same level of service to Rockville’s residents.

The vote will follow a final work session on Monday, May 4. See the left column of this page for information about how to follow Mayor and Council meetings.

The proposed budget keeps the general fund at the same level as the current fiscal year. The $84.6 million general fund supports the largest portion of the operating budget, and includes spending reductions considered by the Mayor and Council in response to the pandemic.

The city’s current real property tax rate of $0.292 per $100 of assessed valuation would remain the same. All residential and commercial property owners pay this tax. Rockville has not increased its property tax rate in more than 25 years.

Water, sewer, stormwater management and recycling and trash service would also remain at their current rates.

The proposal would eliminate step or merit increases for all city employees but preserve a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for employees below the department head level. It would freeze hiring except for essential positions. Two new police officers would be the only new positions created.

City Manager Rob DiSpirito presented a $144.2 million budget proposal in February that outlined the city’s priorities for Fiscal Year 2021, which begins July 1. He proposed adjustments to the budget in April after the onset of the pandemic led to a state order shutting down most businesses.
Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/budget for more information.