<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Dear Town Talkers,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Last night the Town Council voted unamimously to set the tax rate for fiscal year 2007-08 at 64.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.<SPAN> </SPAN>In other words, the tax rate will remain the same as last year.<SPAN> </SPAN>The mayor, council and town staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to find ways to keep the tax rate constant, while maintaining sufficient funding for the quality services expected by RP residents.<SPAN> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As has been discussed previously on Town Talk, our revenue situation was challenging this year.<SPAN> </SPAN>The sale of Riggs Bank to PNC meant a loss of $75,000 in revenue.<SPAN> </SPAN>While revenue from property assessments has increased, costs for worker¢s compensation premiums, gasoline and utilities have also increased.<SPAN> </SPAN>The major road infrastructure project that we have undertaken will benefit our town for years, but is also an added expense.<SPAN> </SPAN>Finally, we needed to honor the established pay scale instituted by the mayor and previous Council that regulates staff salary increases, and keeps RP salaries competitive with surrounding areas.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">With the assistance of the Mayor and staff, the Council pared down the original budget proposal by $77,200 (= 1.9 cents).<SPAN> </SPAN>Basically, small reductions were made in many areas. The detailed spreadsheets will be available shortly on the town website: <A href="http://ci.riverdale-park.md.us/" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#800080>http://ci.riverdale-park.md.us/</FONT></A>.<SPAN> </SPAN>To make up the rest of the revenue shortfall, the Council decided to use $111,520 (= 2.7 cents) from our cash reserves.<SPAN> </SPAN>This represents approximately 11% of our total reserves.<SPAN> </SPAN>We felt comfortable that the remaining cash reserves are more than sufficient to meet town needs.<SPAN> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">So what are we getting for our money this year? <SPAN> </SPAN>Highlights from this year¢s budget include: </P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Laptop computers for police vehicles (which will free up dispatchers to respond more promptly to citizen calls)
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Four new police cruisers to replace outdated vehicles
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Website upgrade (to better present/promote our town)
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Funding for traffic study
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Funding for economic development assistance
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Fuel management system for police/public works vehicles, to replace dysfunctional system and reduce fuel costs</LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As a final note, the Council wants to express our appreciation for the public interest and involvement in the budget process this year.<SPAN> </SPAN>Government functions best with dedicated, caring citizens watching over the process, and Riverdale Park is lucky to have so many!</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sincerely,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>The Riverdale Park Town Council</STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Kate Sharpe, Ward 2, Finance Chair </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Alice Ewen Walker, Ward 1</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">David Lingua, Ward 3</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Christopher Henry, Ward 4</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Keelah Allen-Smith, Ward 6</P><BR></DIV></div><br>
<hr size=1>Got a little couch potato? <br>
Check out fun <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48248/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz">summer activities for kids.</a></body></html>