La Plata Town Manager Daniel J. Mears explains the town’s budget at its monthly meeting May 24.
La Plata, MD – The Town of La Plata hasn’t only planned for its present, it’s planning for its future as well.
The La Plata Town Council approved its Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget with no property tax increase Tuesday, May 24.
Town Manager Daniel J. Mears noted that the hotel/motel tax enacted last year for the town brought in an additional $40,000 in revenue, which he said slightly exceeded the town’s expectations.
He added that the town was holding an additional $20,000 in reserve in the event of storm events.
The $7.5 million budget includes body cameras for La Plata’s police force, adds an additional officer and gives the town’s employees a 1.26 percent cost of living adjustment.
Mears said La Plata police also received a $5,000 grant to aid them with the furnishing of body cameras.
Police Chief Carl Schinner said officers should be in body cameras by early fall.
Mears pointed out that the town has adjusted water rates to where a higher use would result in a different rate than lower use.
“The rate changes depending on how much you use,” Mears explained, adding that two-thirds of the town’s residents fall into the lower rate.
He noted that holding the town’s property tax rate at 32 cents per $100 assessed value has stayed the same since 2001.
“We’re proud to be able to preserve it at that rate,” Mears said. “That revenue source is very flat. It makes it challenging. We’re in the second year of a three-year assessment process. After the state reassesses property, we will see if the rate stays the same, goes up or whatever.
“La Plata is working for today, but we’re keeping up with tomorrow as well,” he concluded, adding that the town is keeping money in reserves for future projects.
The budget passed overwhelmingly.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com