Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the second podcast series about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s second review of the proposed Operating Budget, and first review of two proposed draft versions of FY 26 Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Stormwater Management, with the 457 Deferred Compensation, and with Pension, plan, from the March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting.

The draft Enterprise budgets were emailed to the Council at 11:35 AM on Friday, March 21, 2025. I emailed my initial Enterprise draft budget comments and questions to the Finance Director and Town Council on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The sources for this podcast/video are materials provided to the Town Council for those items on the published Town Council agenda and posted to the public and emailed to the Council, Friday, March 21, 2025.

The Finance Committee provided additional information to the Town Council at the meeting. Finance Comm materials 25mar25
*Fact Sheet: The State of US Public Pensions in 2024
*Sources for 457 (b) Vs Pension Plan Comparison

La Plata YouTube – March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting

*Monthly Finance Report – Finance Director Larsen – Minute 10:18
*Finance Committee Discussion /FY 2026 Enterprise Budgets Discussion – Minute 28:12

La Plata Ward 4 Update YouTube Video

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the first in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s first review of two proposed draft versions of the FY 26 Operating Budget, at our March 18, 2025, Town Council meeting. Operating budget options:

*FY 2026 Operating Budget – With 457
*FY 2026 Operating Budget With Pension

These were provided to the Council by email at 4:47 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025.

This was followed by Council questions and discussion. No vote was taken, and Council discussion will continue at our March 25 Council meeting.

I emailed comments and questions to the Town Council and Finance Director at 7:39 PM on Monday, March 17, 2025.

The source for this podcast/video is the materials provided to the Town Council for those items on published March 18, 2025.

Town Council agenda was posted to the public and emailed to the Council, on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Council discussion of the two alternative draft operating budgets will continue at the March 25 (Tuesday) Town Council meeting and two alternative (with 457, with pension) Enterprise Fund budgets.

Fiance Committee Recommendations

March 18, 2025, Town Council Meeting YouTube

Finance Committee Recommendations Discussion/Questions - 8:50

Town Council Operating Budget Discussion/Questions - 56:27

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and video, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music.

This is an excerpt from my last article for the forthcoming Spring 2025 Town Newsletter - my hopes for the incoming Town Council, in place May 10, 2025.

It's been a privilege and honor to serve on the Town Council. I am proud of the progress we have made working together to improve La Plata’s quality of life.

Also update on:

• Town Manager Selection process
• Finance Committee meeting since January 2025.

Links

• YouTube Video

Town engagement examples:

• Charles County YouTube
• Frederick County, MD Budget Portal
• Chapel Hill, NC

Strategic Plan Dashboard example - Castle Pine, Colorado

Complete Streets

Vision Zero

Monroe County, NY, Community Safety Team

Thanks for listening to and watching.

Email your questions and comments to djenkins@townoflaplata.org

Stay safe. Looking forward to spring!