Posted on 06/23/22
| News Source: FOX45
The Baltimore City Council voted Thursday to approve Mayor Brandon Scott's $4 billion budget.
Mayor Brandon Scott said the budget included $3.32 billion for operating expenses and $792.6 million for capital investment.
Although the council has limited authority over the budget, this year's hearings were particularly detailed and contentious. The council members put particular emphasis on the city's public safety agencies as violent crime continued to surge in the city. Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Director Shantay Jackson and Sheriff John W. Anderson all sat for hours of questioning.
In a rare move, the council -- unsatisfied with the answers from Sheriff John W. Anderson -- actually cut $500,000 from the Sheriff's Department. The progressive members of the council who supported the cut criticized how Anderson's office conducts evictions. Councilmember Odette Ramos, who represents North Baltimore, wanted the cut $500,000 to go toward a program that would provide free legal representation to low-income renters.
While the council does not have the ability to reallocate budget funds, Ramos has said she is working with the mayor's office to make it happen.
Council President Nick Mosby decried both cuts implying that the council members were punishing the agencies to score political points.
Council member Danielle McCray, who represents Northeast Baltimore, said the moves "reeked of political posturing."
The council also voted to cut $196,000 from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts. The council members have been unhappy with BOPA's decision to scale back on its signature events. BOPA has said uncertainty surrounding the pandemic motivated them to not hold full-scale versions of popular festivals like Artscape.
“Passing this budget is a huge win for Baltimore and will allow us to continue moving our city forward towards a better, more vibrant future,” Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. “It contains essential investments towards implementing our Group Violence Reduction Strategy, City Schools, Rec and Parks, and modern, affordable housing units – all things that will help build a safer, better, more equitable Baltimore.”