Posted on 06/17/25
| News Source: FOX45
Balimore, MD - June 17, 2025 - Baltimore's City Council approved the mayor's $4.6 billion budget proposal, which aims to address an $85 million deficit without raising property taxes. However, the plan includes significant increases in city fines and fees, sparking debate among council members.
Councilman Yitzy Schleifer voiced his opposition to the timing of the tax and fee hikes, saying, "Now is not the time to raise tens of millions of dollars in taxes and fees, especially on our most vulnerable population like our older adults who say they're choosing between their oxygen tanks and their utility bills."
The budget proposal includes a 20% increase in ambulance transport fees, a 50% increase in taxi ride taxes, and a doubling of landfill tipping fees. Despite these measures, the council voted 13-to-2 in favor of the budget, after reallocating more than $7 million to various agencies.
Councilman Mark Conway expressed his concerns about the budget process, stating, "We're not here to be a rubber stamp. We're here to do a job." He unsuccessfully attempted to restructure funding for Baltimore's Children and Youth Fund.
David Williams, a taxpayer advocate, criticized the reliance on fee increases, saying, "They always say a lot of money will be raised that what actually happens and that's my concern. We'll have the same discussion a year from now saying these fee increases didn't work, what do we do now?"