Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott conducted a town hall meeting to present his initial budget on Tuesday.
It was a chance for residents to sit and talk with city leaders and get a clearer understanding of the mayor’s budget.
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“This budget, of course, we closed the $85 million gap with no cuts to services. We did not, and are not, going to raise income or property taxes in this budget, while expanding some of the core things that we need,” Scott said.
Scott mentioned that the budget sets aside approximately $625 million for services aimed at giving priority to young people.
That includes funds to support YouthWorks, funding for recreation centers and the BMORE Healthy Babies Program.
It also invests $1.2 billion in services focused on public safety, including the
Group Violence Reduction Strategy
and parking and traffic safety.
It also includes $346 million toward equitable neighborhood development, including money for the BMORE F.A.S.T. initiative, vacant housing, maintaining the arts and culture scene, and establishing the Mayor’s Office of Art, Culture and Entertainment.
Residents broke into groups and talked with city officials about different aspects of the budget.
“I think the mayor’s approach is a balanced approach. There are more things that we’d like to do, but based on the allocation of funds, we just have to do what’s best,” said Clyde Barrett, a city resident.
Veronica Johnson is a former federal employee who was recently laid off.
“I love public safety and the youth. The budget for the youth and the budget for the public safety, we need that,” Johnson said.
She likes some aspects of the budget but thinks more can be done to help federal workers who were laid off find employment or create their own opportunities.
The budget plans include around $202 million from federal grants.
“Right now, we have to go for what we know, and we know right now that many of those grants seem to be solid based on what’s happening now,” Scott said. “But, if not, just like at the state level and even at the federal level, we’ll have to come back and make adjustments as needed with the uncertainty that’s coming out of .”
A portion of his plan involves modernizing obsolete fee systems, particularly those related to landfill disposal charges, emergency medical services transportation costs, and cab rates.
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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott presents initial budget plan
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