Work Session Preview, Sept. 6: Speed Camera Revenue, Homestead Credit, and More

The Mayor and Council work session will take place at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers of , 4500 Knox Road. The meeting is open to the public.

This is a summary of a few agenda items. The full agenda can be found online.

University of Maryland Facilities

Frank Brewer, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management for the University of Maryland, will be on hand along with other staff members to discuss the latest draft of the facilities master plan. They will summarize key recommendations, review the schedule and take comments and questions. Brewer will also discuss east campus redevelopment.

Census Challenge

The City of College Park is eligible to challenge the 2010 census findings for housing units and group quarters. City staff has prepared documentation regarding alleged errors in the 2010 census data drawn from four apartment complexes, affecting the city's population, number of housing units and vacancy rate.

Reader Friendly Budget Documents

The city manager and the deputy director of finance will propose adjustments to future budget documents that could make them easier to understand.

Review of Homestead Credit

The Mayor and Council will conduct its annual review of the Homestead Credit Level for fiscal year 2013. The proposal on the table is to maintain the homestead credit factor at 4 percent, where it has been since fiscal year 2009. This is expected to result in an increase of $20 to $25  in the city property tax bill for a typical owner occupied property, according to the proposal. (This is assuming no increase in 2013 for the city property tax rate.)

Use of Speed Camera Revenue

The Mayor and Council and city staff will . The discussion began at an August 9 work session, when in an informal vote eliminated some options. Remaining suggestions are included in the full agenda.