Budget Watch: Fiscal Year 2027
March 1, 2026
Rockville’s Mayor and Council begin budget deliberations this month with public hearings and work sessions focused on a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that prioritizes the Mayor and Council’s focus areas of public safety, economic development and housing.
The proposed budget will be available for review beginning Friday, March 6 at rockvillemd.gov/budget. City Manager Jeff Mihelich is scheduled to present the Mayor and Council with a FY 2027 budget proposal on Monday, March 9.
For information about how to testify at upcoming budget hearings or view the presentation on cable and online, see the FY27 budget calendar in the column to the right.
The budget, which covers the fiscal year that begins July 1, is scheduled for adoption by the Mayor and Council on Monday, May 4.
The proposed FY27 operating budget of $187.1 million is a 6.6% increase over the FY 2026 adopted budget. The general fund budget is $125.5 million, a 7.2% increase.
The city’s current real property tax rate of $0.292 per $100 of assessed valuation would remain the same for FY27. All residential and commercial property owners pay this tax. Rockville has not increased its property tax rate since 1995.
The proposed budget prioritizes the city’s continued commitment to capital investments, including several large capital projects. The proposed FY 2027-FY 2031 Capital Improvements Program supports projects across five program areas during the fiscal year and introduces seven new projects.
The proposal also funds Mayor and Council focus areas and includes about $11 million in new funding for the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan; three new full-time positions in the Rockville City Police Department to provide additional school coverage and deploy new specialized units; one new full-time codes inspector to support enhanced rental licensing inspections; $500,000 for the city’s housing opportunities fund; more than $1 million to fund the design of the King Farm Farmstead; $1.8 million in community services and enrichment grants; and $1.6 million for Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
FY27 BUDGET CALENDAR
- Friday, March 6: Proposed FY 2027 budget and Capital Improvements Program posted to rockvillemd.gov/budget.
- Monday, March 9: Introduction and city manager’s presentation of the FY27 budget and CIP, budget work session and public hearing.
- Monday, March 23: Public hearing and work session.
- Monday, April 13: Work session and close of community survey and budget public record.
- Monday, May 4: Adoption of the FY27 operating budget and Capital Improvements Program.
- Wednesday, July 1: FY27 begins.
Note: Budget calendar dates are subject to change.
For information about how to testify at hearings, find agendas, posted the week before each date at rockvillemd.gov/agendacenter.
Meetings are broadcast on channel 11 on county cable, livestreamed at rockvillemd.gov/rockville11, and available a day after each meeting at rockvillemd.gov/videoondemand.
To review the proposed budget, visit rockvillemd.gov/budget.