Baltimore City Council Approves Nearly $5 Billion Budget Amid Concerns Over Mayor's Office Expansion

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Council has unanimously passed a budget totaling nearly $5 billion, which includes vital investments in public safety, immigrant affairs, and youth resources. However, the decision has sparked discussions regarding the expansion of the Mayor's Office.

During the budget deliberations, Councilman Yitzy Schleifer expressed reservations about a proposed $4.5 million increase to the Mayor's Office, which aims to add new positions, bringing the total staff count to 134. This growth is notable, considering the office had only 39 staff members a decade ago and is projected to reach 105 by 2025.

Schleifer highlighted concerns about prioritizing administrative expansion over support for other agencies that are in dire need of resources. He questioned the feasibility of accommodating such a large staff within the Mayor's Office.

Despite these concerns, City Council President Zeke Cohen defended the budget, stating that the funding is directed towards essential services that benefit Baltimore residents. Notably, the FY 2027 budget allocates an additional $1.6 million to the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, aimed at providing legal and mental health services for immigrant families.

A spokesperson for the Mayor's Office clarified that most of the new positions involve reallocating existing roles rather than creating entirely new ones, with only one position being genuinely new. This reorganization is intended to streamline operations without adding political aides for the Mayor.

Cohen emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, acknowledging ongoing concerns about 'ghost pins'—positions funded in the budget but left unfilled. He noted that while there has been progress in reducing these ghost positions, the issue of excessive overtime remains a challenge.

“Our role as the City Council is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed wisely,” Cohen stated, affirming the commitment to monitor overtime practices closely while recognizing that some overtime will always be necessary for city employees.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).