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Greenbelt, MD
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taxes budgetCritical priorityopen

FY 2027 balanced budget and $3 million deficit closed

Greenbelt, MD

Summary

The council finalized next year's city budget, raising revenue by about $261,000 and setting property, personal property, and utility tax rates for FY 2027. Most changes passed unanimously, but the FOGT subsidy and non-departmental spending split the council.

At a glance

Total mentions
13
Last 30 days
0

Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 28, 2026.

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

Total FY 2027 revenue increased by $260,746, with the General Fund up $235,746 — this is what funds city services and sets your tax rates.

✅Who benefits

All Greenbelt residents who rely on city services funded by the new budget, including expanded CARES funding.

⚠️Who could be affected

Older and fixed-income residents raised concerns about rising tax burdens, as reflected in public testimony.

Mentions & discussions (13)

MeetingSep 28, 2026

City Council - Sep 28, 2026

The city closed out fiscal 2026 with a $968,110 surplus after trimming revenues and expenditures, while planning for up to $1.8 million in tax abatements next year.

MeetingJul 15, 2026

General - Jul 15, 2026

The city closed a $3 million deficit to pass a balanced FY 2027 budget and won a national financial reporting award. Pepco billing credits of $87,000 will help offset electricity rate hikes that hit in January.

MeetingMay 26, 2026approved

City Council - May 26, 2026

The council finalized next year's city budget, raising revenue by about $261,000 and setting property, personal property, and utility tax rates for FY 2027. Most changes passed unanimously, but the FOGT subsidy and non-departmental spending split the council.

MeetingMay 18, 2026

General - May 18, 2026

The city is balancing a $41.9 million budget without a tax hike, but by pulling nearly $200,000 from reserves — and councilmembers warn that's not sustainable given a long-term structural deficit.

MeetingMay 11, 2026

City Council - May 11, 2026

The final public hearing before the May 26 budget adoption drew comments on sidewalk funding, DEI transparency, and better budget accessibility. If you care about where your tax dollars go, adoption is May 26.

MeetingApr 27, 2026

City Council - Apr 27, 2026

The city's proposed FY2027 budget goes before residents at the first of two public hearings. Adoption is set for May 26, so what residents say Monday can still shape the final spending plan.

MeetingApr 20, 2026

General - Apr 20, 2026

Council wrestled with a structural deficit: keep the nursing program, fund the cinema, fill unfilled positions — but every dollar added has to come from somewhere. A budget discussion item was added to the next regular meeting ahead of the first public hearing.

MeetingApr 15, 2026discussed

General - Apr 15, 2026

The proposed Public Works budget keeps most spending flat, with increases for vehicle maintenance, software subscriptions, and salaries. Staffing stays stable through internal realignments. Council feedback now feeds final budget deliberations.

MeetingApr 13, 2026

City Council - Apr 13, 2026

A $2.50 public utility tax went through its public hearing. Staff says the tax hits utility companies' poles, wires, and property — not residents' bills — aligning Greenbelt with similar municipalities.

MeetingApr 8, 2026

General - Apr 8, 2026

Greenbelt's $41.7M budget is balanced with no tax rate increase for the eighth straight year, but it draws $1.8M from reserves. Personnel costs jumped 7.7% due to police contract and wage adjustments, and officials warned rising electricity and fuel prices may mean underestimated costs.

MeetingMar 23, 2026

City Council - Mar 23, 2026

A $58.6 million budget proposal with a 2% raise for all staff, a new public utilities tax like neighboring cities, and $1.8 million pulled from reserves. It's not final until May 26, and residents can follow work-session summaries online.

MeetingFeb 4, 2026

General - Feb 4, 2026

Greenbelt has identified more than $65 million in needed capital projects with no funding attached, and the high-priority list alone runs $8.7 million. The council is sorting which projects to chase grants for and which to defer as budget season approaches.

MeetingJan 28, 2026

City Council - Jan 28, 2026

The city manager kicked off the FY2027 budget process and reported on the Community Center elevator project, EV charging station permits, and the Save-As-You-Throw program's early results.

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