Greenbelt · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greenbelt, MD public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Consulting Services RFP
Greenbelt is moving from isolated DEI programs to a citywide effort and plans to hire a consultant to assess where it stands, define roles, and set measurable goals. Council wants the work to measure both internal culture and community impact, and is considering a resident advisory committee on DEI and accessibility.
Bond bill and legislative priorities for 2027
Council's top state priorities are data center guardrails, municipal zoning authority, and fiscal capacity; top bond projects are Pepco street light upgrades, wayfinding, and Indian Creek Park. These go to Annapolis with District 22 municipalities.
Save-As-You-Throw (SAYT) Program Fees
Trash fee decisions loom. The proposed 2027 base rate dropped from $2.60 to $2.40, which Councilmember Knesel says puts the whole financial burden on families. Expect a resolution at the next meeting with new financial scenarios.
Ranked choice voting next steps
Council moved forward with drafting a charter amendment adding ranked choice voting, as voters backed in a 2025 referendum. Pope wants a test run and cost analysis first; the election is about a year away.
Budget Process and Finance Working Group
A proposed council finance working group was tabled to Wednesday, with the city manager warning next year's budget faces a $700,000 adjustment for an under-budgeted abatement expense.
Charter Amendment on Collective Bargaining
A proposal to give certain city workers union rights was tabled until May 11 after concerns about last-minute wording changes.
Recognition Group Grant Policy Overhaul
Grant requests from local nonprofits have jumped 212% — over $77,000 — beyond what the city budgets. The new policy caps operating grants at $25,000, splits funding pools by organization type, and tightens eligibility; it passed 6-1.
City Manager Directive on Anti-Union Activities
A resident petitioned to see the City Manager's directive prohibiting anti-union activity in the city. The request was received but not acted on.
Use of Public Safety Surcharge Funds for Studies
The city recovered $546,000 in overdue public safety surcharge revenue. The manager plans to use $200,000 of it to cover budgeted police vehicles, freeing general fund money for DEI-related assessments and community visioning — trading off against playgrounds or vehicles.
CARES Senior Services Funding and 501(c)(3)
CARES' nursing and senior programs may get $132,000 shifted from other budgets to stay alive for another year while the group becomes a nonprofit.
DEI Officer Role in the FY 2027 Budget
The city's first DEI officer role is up for restructuring. Residents pushed back hard in the budget hearing, and the council ultimately agreed to keep the position funded while weighing four restructuring options and promising more transparency.
GATe financial sustainability and possible streaming tax
Greenbelt Access Television has lost over half its cable PEG funding in five years ($180K to $85K) and cut staff from six full-timers to two part-timers. Council floated a dedicated work session to find new revenue, possibly including a streaming tax.
FY 2027 Public Works Budget
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.
Green Ridge House FY 2027 budget and operations
Green Ridge House is Greenbelt's federally subsidized Section 8 senior housing facility, and the FY 2027 budget funds continued HVAC riser replacement, erosion repairs, and resident amenities. Rent for residents actually went down a dollar a month thanks to a utility allowance increase, and HUD reimbursements are running smoothly.
FY2027 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
Residents got their first chance to weigh in on next year's budget, with adoption scheduled for May 26. Some asked that changes to the draft be more visible to the public.
FY2027 Recreation Department Budget
The proposed ~$9 million Recreation budget funds a 2% COLA for non-classified staff, expanded Greenbelt West arts programming, and major capital projects. Staff flagged a county minimum wage hike to $15.30 and pay compression as budgeting challenges, and asked for a succession plan with six employees at 25-30 years of service.
Proposed Public Utility Tax Increase
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.
Municipal Revenue Diversification
Council formally backed a state bill creating a task force to rethink how counties and municipalities raise revenue — relevant to how Greenbelt funds services in the future.
State and County Legislative Positions
Council backed bills on transit funding, data privacy, immigration enforcement limits, nonprofit clean energy loans, and county development review — plus faster municipal elections via electronic transmission.
Equity of Capital Funding Across Greenbelt
Councilmembers Pompi and McKinney pushed back on grant money concentrating in Center City while Greenbelt West and East lag. Expect this debate to shape which projects get funded next.
State legislative priorities 2026
Council sorted dozens of Maryland bills into support, support-with-amendment, and monitor categories — touching police equipment costs, housing density mandates, election rules, plastic waste, and utility shut-off protections. Formal positions get voted on Monday.
Budget work session scheduling
Council agreed to move the budget presentation to March 23, skip the March 25 session so members can read the full document, and shift later budget work sessions down. A new state rule requiring the tax rate sheet by May 30 forces budget adoption by April 26 or a special meeting.