Rockville City Councilmembers unanimously adopted its FY27 operating budget without increasing property taxes.
During its May 4 meeting, councilmembers approved a $186.8 million operating budget, which is an increase of 6.6% from the current budget. Property taxes continue to be levied at 29.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
The property tax has not increased since 1995, according to Kimberly Francisco, deputy chief financial officer.
Councilmembers also approved a $125.6 million capital improvements budget.
Mayor Monique Ashton called it “a very robust budget, but one that keeps our future in mind.” She added, “It doesn’t just think about what we want today but plans for the future.”
“Affordability is what we care deeply about,” Ashton said during the meeting.
Personnel costs take up about 60% of the city’s expenditures. Rockville has the equivalent of 682 full time positions, which is a net increase of 15.
New positions include two police officers and a sergeant, one community enhancement codes inspector, one assistant city attorney and one crew supervisor in public works.
The budget eliminates a mental health specialist position, which Councilmember Marissa Valerie called “deeply disturbing.” She called that decision “extremely short sighted.”
Ashton asked city staff to “actively monitor this,” adding, “I want to make sure our police have the resources they need.”
According to the city’s summary about staffing, “The new positions for FY 2027 promote stabilized police staffing levels, provide added school resources, and support the implementation of new specialized units within the Police Department. The added positions also strengthen rental housing inspections and improve housing quality and compliance; expand childcare staffing at Montrose Discovery Preschool; improve service delivery within the Water Meter Shop; and create added efficiencies for legal reviews and analysis within the Office of the City Attorney.”
The budget goes into effect July 1 and may be changed if Montgomery County’s proposed budget changes what is included for Rockville.
Protecting our students must be a top priority for for our City. Thus, I'm thrilled that, beginning today, the @RockvilleCityPD will have a Community Engagement Officer assigned to Rockville High School, joining the incredible RCPD officers already serving at Richard Montgomery… pic.twitter.com/8SKyWhsYbA
— Adam Van Grack (@AdamVanGrack) May 5, 2026
