New Carrollton · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Carrollton, MD public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Schedule of fees, fines, and penalties reform
With no city manager, the council must still deliver a budget to the county by October. Open questions: employee salary increases, pay inequities between long-tenured and newer workers, and an untouched schedule of fees and fines dating to 2014.
Fiscal 2027 budget adoption
The Council is building the FY27 budget and wrestling with how to forecast revenues, control overtime, and avoid mid-year budget amendments. Final decisions and remaining sections (public works, rest of police) come at Wednesday and Monday meetings.
Special election funding and administration
The city must announce the special election date by Wednesday, with November 9 the frontrunner — the Monday after the midterms, matching residents' Monday voting habits.
FY 2027 Salary Structure and Budget Finalization
The budget still isn't done in September, which is unusual. The council scheduled a September 30 special meeting to work through salary tables and total compensation before the October 30 county deadline, and approved a $37,646 unemployment tax bill from surplus.
Third-party debt collection (Ordinance 26-13)
The city has millions in past-due citations headed to a collection agency that adds a 35% fee. Council is considering a 60-day amnesty letting people pay the original fine only — but details, debtor counts, and mailing costs are still being gathered.
FY 2027 Budget Continuing Resolution
The city's new fiscal year starts July 1, but the budget isn't done — so a continuing resolution keeps services running at current spending levels for three months while the compensation study and fees are finalized.
City Manager Position and Counteroffer
The city has no mayor present, no city manager, and is running on volunteers and part-time help. Leroy Robinson becomes Public Works director, Delaney Galloway signs on as part-time operations manager, and Maisha Williams volunteers to help with the handoff.
Finance Department Staffing — Accounting Clerk Vacancy
An Accounting Clerk resigned effective October 2, 2026, leaving a gap in the office that processes payroll, vendor payments, and city financial records. The council was asked to consider allowing the city to hire a replacement despite the ongoing hiring freeze.
Hiring freeze exceptions for DPW and finance
The city has had a hiring freeze since October 2025 while a consultant's report is evaluated. The council was asked to consider one narrow exception to promote Leroy Robinson to Public Works Director so the department keeps steady leadership over streets, trash, parks, and capital projects.
FY2027 Budget Process
The council was scheduled to discuss the FY 2027 budget status and next steps, and residents were invited to comment — with comments limited to budget topics only. This is where residents could weigh in on how their tax dollars get spent next year.
Grant Funding and Overtime Costs (Amendments 26-16 and 26-17)
A $22,500 grant the police department won last year but couldn't spend got moved into the new budget year so the city can claim the reimbursement.
Resolution 26-06: hiring and pay freeze
The council unanimously froze hiring in October 2025 (Resolution 26-03); the mayor reinstated a public works director and code enforcement manager without council-approved exceptions. This dispute is the basis of the forfeiture action and the staff resignations that preceded it.
Electronic message signs RFP NC2026-4
The city wants new electronic display signs, but the old $250,000 estimate for three signs gave members pause. The Council agreed to have the Procurement Officer issue an RFP to see if better pricing is out there before committing during budget season.
Citywide compensation and organizational study
The city is hiring a consultant for an audit and compensation study. Six firms competed; councilmembers ranked them individually and BRC Consulting won the most first-place votes for its clear scope alignment and quick timeline.
FY 2027 Budget Amendment
The first budget amendment for fiscal year 2027 was scheduled for discussion, along with a budget feedback survey to gather resident input.
Equipment and Capital Purchases
A slate of purchases was up for discussion: a hot box and roller, two electronic signs, pour-and-play playground surfacing backed by a $370,000 grant, a recycling truck, an electronic scoreboard for Beckett Field, brine equipment, and stump grinding/turf restoration.
BRC compensation and organizational assessment
The council found BRC's 545-page deliverable short of what was asked, held final payment, and scheduled an August presentation. The hiring freeze stays until the study clarifies pay levels — the city clerk position remains open partly because of it.
Charter working group on city's form of government
The council was scheduled to discuss next steps for charter changes that would modify New Carrollton's form of government. How the charter is shaped affects the balance of power between the mayor and council.
FY 2026 Budget Amendment No. Twelve
A budget amendment to the FY2026 budget was scheduled for consideration, tied to a personnel settlement discussed in closed session.
FY 2027 Proposed Projects and RFP
DPW is working on the Lamont community garden renovation, clearing invasive species and planting native trees, and citywide sidewalk repairs. Bridge inspection reports are coming to the council in May.
Newsletter print cost savings ahead of budget season
Instead of paying for a new Constant Contact account, councilmembers' updates will go out as a section in the city's existing weekly newsletter — an easy way to hear what your representatives are doing.
Council Bulletin via Constant Contact
Instead of paying for a new Constant Contact account, councilmembers' updates will go out as a section in the city's existing weekly newsletter — an easy way to hear what your representatives are doing.
Summer council meeting schedule
Council may slim down to two meetings a month in July and August — first and third Wednesdays only. It goes to the consent agenda at Wednesday's meeting.
LGIT Insurance Coverage and Salary Dispute
The city's insurer, LGIT, told the city it covers injury-type claims, not contract disputes — so the salary fight may not be covered. That leaves the city potentially on its own if this turns into litigation.
Compensation and organizational study (RFP-NC-2026-3)
The city is hiring a consultant to audit pay, assess how the organization is structured, and compare employee compensation against peer jurisdictions. The results could mean pay adjustments for city staff — and a change in how payroll dollars from the city budget are spent. A final consultant choice is expected at the next meeting.
$250,000 Resident Cash Assistance Proposal
With distress calls rising — especially over utility shutoffs — the mayor wants a fund to help residents in crisis, similar to the COVID-era ARPA aid. A roughly $160,000 allocation was floated, and College Park's $2,500 cap gives a sense of scale. The council wants a detailed proposal before committing.
FY2027 Property Tax Rate
The council adopted the Constant Yield Tax Rate of $0.5263 per $100 of assessed value, slightly lower than last year's $0.5461, meaning the city collects roughly the same revenue as before without raising the rate on you.
Constant Yield Tax Rate for FY 2027
The city is deciding whether to keep the constant yield tax rate, which it has used since FY 2021. Some councilmembers say rising costs make it unrealistic.
Emergency Budget Amendment 26-18 (police overtime & FICA fix)
The department head salary line is projected to have less than $50,000 left for the year — a problem flagged back in October — and Public Works has a shortfall too. Council wants a closed session with the City Attorney to figure out a fix.
City Reserves and 2012 Street-Paving Loan
The city still owes about $655,000 on a 2012 street-paving loan at 2.9% interest and has paid roughly $470,000 in interest so far. The Council will consider paying it off early at Wednesday's meeting.
FY 2026 budget reallocation (Reconciliation No. Nine)
Ordinance 26-17 moves money between departments and line items — overtime, police training travel, vehicle maintenance, MML conferences — without growing the total budget.
Administrator transfer authority (Resolution 26-10)
A resolution to repeal limits on the administrator's ability to move money to cover salaries and expenditures was postponed until the compensation study is done and the salary compromise is settled.
Department Head Salary Increases (Budget Amendment 26-15)
The budgeted salary for the Public Works Director position was depleted, and the Council had to decide how to keep funding the job. The compromise: pay $130,000 a year until an outside compensation study (BRC) is finished, then revisit.
City auditor selection
The city hired JBS & Company for $33,000 to do the annual comprehensive financial report — the same ballpark as before — and the vote was unanimous.
Budget code modernization (Charter C-6, C-14, C-18)
The council wants to overhaul outdated budget rules: longer public hearing notice (21 days), online-first publication, detailed line-item budgets, tighter controls on unbudgeted spending, and a 12% operating reserve. The goal is more transparency and accountability in how city money is handled.
FY25 audit results
The city's yearly audit came back with a clean opinion — its finances checked out for fiscal 2025. Good news for taxpayers and bond ratings alike.
Disabled residents' permit waiver
A councilmember raised concerns that the city's $300 building permit waiver for disabled residents isn't being implemented properly.
Storm overtime and winter response budget
The council discussed a budget amendment for storm overtime and increasing future public works overtime, plus equipment needs for ice removal and possibly sharing resources with other jurisdictions.
Department budget shortfall
The department head salary line is projected to have less than $50,000 left for the year — a problem flagged back in October — and Public Works has a shortfall too. Council wants a closed session with the City Attorney to figure out a fix.
Charter Resolution 26-01
The council is advancing a charter amendment to public hearing. Members agreed to debate their proposed amendments at the second March meeting so residents see the final version before testifying.
Landfill fees running hot in the budget
Landfill fees are already 80% spent well before the fiscal year ends, prompting a planned full budget amendment in March once accounting system updates are done.
Charter violation in November dump truck purchase
A November emergency budget amendment for dump trucks passed without the required two-thirds council vote. The council admitted the error and is formally documenting it in the minutes.
Budget vs. actual review
Council learned a $125,000 consulting services amendment has had no spending so far, and got clarity on recycling savings and restricted cable TV funds.
No tax increases planned
The Mayor emphasized during department reports that no tax increases are planned, while noting budget constraints.
Administrative duties vs. council duties
The Mayor wants councilmembers to stop contacting vendors and staff directly, saying it undermines operations. The council agreed she'd be included on all staff communications.