A subcommittee of the Baltimore City Council has unanimously approved a series of bills that will allocate nearly $113 million to address overspending among eight city agencies for the fiscal year 2025. The total amount of $112,974,114 in “retroactive appropriations” remains unchanged from the previous authorization granted by the Board of Estimates last month.
Most of the funding, approximately three-quarters of the total, will be directed to the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City Fire Department, which continue to face challenges related to employee overtime stemming from staffing shortages. During the meeting, Laura Larsen, the city’s budget director, reiterated the need for these appropriations to ensure that general fund agencies with year-end deficits remain balanced, as mandated by the city’s charter.
“These actions will ensure that general fund agencies that ended the year with a deficit are in balance at the close of the fiscal year,” Larsen noted. She pointed out that tighter fiscal controls, along with surplus income and property tax revenues observed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, helped reduce the projected deficits.
The agencies receiving these appropriations include:
– Baltimore City Fire Department: $38,520,093 for overtime, staffing costs, and contractual EMS services.
– Baltimore Police Department: $47,492,889 for overtime and staffing costs.
– Baltimore City Public Schools: $12,911,344 for the city’s contribution to the development agreement for City Spring Elementary/Middle School.
– Baltimore City Recreation and Parks: $5,630,976 for overtime and unbudgeted contractual costs.
– Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office: $3,425,454 for overtime and fleet costs.
– Baltimore City Department of Transportation: $4,457,580 for snow removal costs.
– Baltimore City Law Department: $81,393 for contractual spending.
– Liquor License Board: $454,415 for office lease costs and overtime.
The five members of the council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, led by chair Danielle McCray and vice chair Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer, voted to move forward with these appropriations for consideration at the full council meeting scheduled for November 10, 2023.
Streetlight Funding Discussions
The committee’s decisions followed discussions regarding the funding of streetlights in the city. Councilman Schleifer expressed concerns over previous assurances that all streetlights would be replaced, mentioning difficulties in vendor procurement. He questioned the efficacy of the proposed $4.5 million in retroactive appropriations for streetlight services, particularly in light of ongoing issues with existing streetlights.
A representative from the Department of Transportation responded to Schleifer’s inquiries, stating that he would follow up on the matter. In response, Schleifer expressed frustration, noting the lack of clarity regarding the funding’s intended outcomes.
During the discussion, Larsen clarified that the $21.9 million budget for streetlight services includes significant costs for light pole rentals, utility expenses, personnel, and maintenance. The budget also encompasses materials and supplies necessary for managing lease and utility payments related to streetlights.
Schleifer further questioned Veronica McBeth, the Director of the Department of Transportation, about how much of the budget was allocated for new streetlights. McBeth mentioned a backlog in ordering LED lights due to tariffs imposed during the previous administration, indicating that there is potential for replacing other light fixtures across the city while awaiting new LED orders.
As the council prepares for the upcoming meeting, the implications of these funding decisions and the ongoing streetlight issues are likely to remain a focal point for Baltimore’s leadership and its residents.
