New Carrollton · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Carrollton, MD public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fleet management and vehicle dormancy
Council reviewed the fleet dormancy report and flagged concerns about the age and condition of several vehicles; staff said older vehicles remain serviceable.
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.
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.
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.
Spanish-language communication
Councilmember Malavé pushed for the council statement and rebuttal to be translated into Spanish, noting many Spanish-speaking residents only heard partial accounts. The council agreed, using the existing language-access budget line.
Civility and meeting security
After a disruptive resident approached the dais and council members were harassed in the hallway, the city is redesigning the room layout, repositioning cameras, and adding officer coverage at town halls.
Citywide Stump Removal
A $112,230 contract with Artistic Landscaping to grind 300+ tree stumps citywide and restore turf, with 80% resident support in the survey.
Grounds maintenance services
Ordinance 27-03 would spend $112,230.30 on stump grinding and turf restoration by Artistic Landscaping, sprucing up public grounds.
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.
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.
Playground safety surfacing expansion
The council was scheduled to consider buying pour-and-play surfacing for the remaining city playgrounds, funded by a $370,000 grant already received — meaning new or upgraded playground surfaces at little cost to local taxpayers.
New Carrollton schools discussion
Director Matlock was scheduled to join for a 15-minute conversation about New Carrollton schools — a topic of direct interest to families in the city.
Harland Street project and Boys & Girls Club funding
The city landed $250,000 for Harland Street and $1 million for the Boys & Girls Club, and is working to move an older $250,000 earmark from the Hanko Building to consolidate funding. A $2 million federal earmark request for the Hanko Building is pending.
State-mandated accessory dwelling unit law
Counties must adopt ADU legislation by the end of October; Olson outlined open questions on size, setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and stormwater. The city plans to weigh in, possibly with a joint letter through Core Cities.
Parking Study Recommendations
A councilmember raised concerns that the city's $300 building permit waiver for disabled residents isn't being implemented properly.
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.
Residential parking enforcement
Residents are fed up with commercial and construction vehicles parked on residential streets. Council and police discussed stepped-up enforcement for expired tags, vehicles parked over 72 hours, commercial vehicles, and cars blocking intersections.
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.
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.
Immigration Enforcement Impact on Local Businesses
Councilmember Urbina flagged that immigrant-owned restaurants are seeing a big drop in dine-in customers due to immigration enforcement fears, and suggested city support. Mayor Nembhard cautioned against public 'ICE not welcome' signage, citing advice that it could draw federal attention.
Fire Department Donation Increase
The city will donate $10,000 to the New Carrollton Fire Department in FY2027 — a bump one councilmember pushed for and one member opposed.
Mahoney Woods improvements and $280K state grant
The item to add a $230,000 state grant for Mahoney Woods to the FY27 budget was pulled from the agenda — the grant must be spent and the project finished by May 2029 whenever it returns.
Hanko Building and Economic Development
The city is exploring federal earmarks and relocating the Boys and Girls Club so the aging Hanko Building could be replaced with a community center, while $1.5 million could fund a pool fill-in, building, and park improvements at Harlan Street.
Animal Control Operations
Concerns about inadequate animal control services for strays came up in public comment, and animal control procedures and leash law enforcement were emphasized in department reports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disabled residents' permit waiver
A councilmember raised concerns that the city's $300 building permit waiver for disabled residents isn't being implemented properly.
Self-reporting personnel policy (Resolution 26-07)
A proposed policy would require employees to report criminal, regulatory, or court-ordered events. Councilmembers worried it could penalize arrests from things like political protests and raised confidentiality concerns. It's on hold pending legal advice.
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.
Alleged illegal snow dumping on private property
A 33-year resident says a neighbor's renter used a bulldozer to push snow from the city street onto her and a neighbor's property, tossed her trash and recycling bins, and faced no consequences. She has photos and videos and is asking the council to act.
Electrical house fires and parking permits on future agenda
Rising electrical house fires prompted a plan for resident education and county inspections, and the council will revisit parking permits and the Hanko Building and Harland Street properties in coming meetings.
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.
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.
Censure of Councilmember Urbina
Councilmember Mills formally censured Councilmember Urbina for her conduct at the December 1 meeting — a rare public rebuke between elected colleagues.
Street sweeping effectiveness and cost
Residents said street sweeping doesn't work when cars stay parked on the street, and one suggested cutting the cost until the program is better managed.
Transit-oriented Affordable Housing Development
WMATA just broke ground on affordable homes right at the New Carrollton Metro station. That means more housing options near transit, which can help renters and boost ridership. If you care about housing costs or commuting, this is a project to watch.
Police Officer Employment Controversy
New Carrollton reportedly put a police officer back on the job after he was convicted of assault, and residents want to know how that happened. The case raises basic questions about who gets to carry a badge and whether the city is enforcing its own accountability rules.
Transit-oriented Development
New Carrollton is looking at turning the area around its Metro station into a walkable downtown with shops, housing, and easier transit access. That could mean more places to live and hang out near the station—but also construction, traffic changes, and pressure on nearby rents.