Hyattsville City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Hyattsville City Council held a virtual regular meeting on February 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM, chaired by Mayor Robert S. Croslin. All councilmembers were present except for Councilmember Emily Strab (Ward 2). The primary agenda items included a presentation on FY27 budget planning and a motion to authorize a letter of support for Maryland House Bill 1142. The meeting also featured two public comments and discussions on tax rate strategy, property assessments, and alignment of the budget with the city's strategic values.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was amended by a motion from Council President Joseph Solomon (seconded by Council Vice President Kareem Redmond) to add a motion regarding a letter of support for Maryland HB 1142. The amended agenda was approved unanimously (10-0, with Councilmember Strab absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jesse Seitel (Ward 5) – A seven-year resident and native of Prince George's County spoke in favor of expanded funding for the Department of Community Services in the FY27 budget, particularly to support the immigrant community with education and rights preparation.
• Tatjana Hrubik-Vulanovic (Ward 5) – Expressed concerns about the city's financial health, noting that despite approximately $30 million in revenue, the city projects multi-million-dollar deficits nearly every year. She urged the council not to pass a future budget that shows a funding deficit and requested publication of total liabilities for debt service.

Discussion Items

• FY27 Budget Planning Presentation – City Administrator Tracey Douglas and Treasurer Ron Brooks, joined by new Deputy Budget Director Ben Bosch, presented an overview of budget priorities, revenue sources, and expenditure trends. Key topics included:
  • The constant yield tax rate certificate (CYTR) for FY27, projecting a net assessable base of $3.3 billion as of July 1, 2026, with a constant yield rate of 61.7 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared to the current rate of 63 cents.
  • Second-quarter FY26 financial results showed total revenues outpacing last year by $2.7 million, with real property taxes at 106% of budget.
  • Discussion of must-fund items: salaries and benefits (65–70% of budget), public safety, debt service (4–6%), and rising utility costs.
  • Presentation of budget impacts (staffing needs from new developments, infrastructure, technology) and strategies to manage spending (grant seeking, hiring freeze continuation, contract reviews).
• Tax Rate and Assessment Discussions – Councilmember Danny Schaible raised concerns about undervaluation of multi-family apartment buildings, citing the North Point Apartments purchased for $37.5 million in 2020 but assessed at only $14.5 million. He questioned the equity and revenue loss. Treasurer Brooks acknowledged the issue, noting the city may appeal commercial assessment reductions and suggested considering a separate tax rate for apartment buildings.
• Role of Constant Yield Tax Rate – Council President Solomon argued that the constant yield rate is no longer a meaningful benchmark due to changes in state law, and continuing to use it distorts public understanding of fiscal needs. He advocated for alternative models. Treasurer Brooks explained that the certificate is still necessary for certifying the assessable base, but agreed the constant yield rate language can be confusing. The council agreed to explore better ways to communicate tax rate assumptions.
• Alignment with Strategic Plan – Councilmember Joanne Waszczak emphasized that the budget should reflect the city's strategic values (livability, inclusivity, prosperity, connectivity, accessibility, sustainability) and strategic goals developed through community engagement. City Administrator Douglas confirmed that staff already include alignment with goals in budget forms, and the new strategic plan will be presented for approval in March.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Support Maryland HB 1142 – The council voted unanimously (10-0, with Councilmember Strab absent) to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Maryland General Assembly expressing support for House Bill 1142, which establishes a task force to modernize county and municipal revenue structures. The letter will recommend amendments to the appointment structure for municipal representatives, as outlined in the draft letter.
• Budget Timeline Confirmed – The next steps include a council priorities discussion on February 23, budget introduction on March 18, department presentations in April, a public hearing on the tax rate, and council amendments in May, with first reading and adoption by the end of May.
• Directive to Staff – Staff will research alternative models for presenting tax rate baselines and provide options for addressing apartment property assessment issues, including potential separate tax rates or appeals.