City Council Hearing: Budget & Appropriations Committee; May 14, 2026

The City Council Hearing of the Budget & Appropriations Committee for Baltimore City, held on May 14, 2026, focused extensively on the fiscal year 2027 budget and appropriations. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of a supplemental state fund operating appropriation of $784,251 for the Circuit Court of Baltimore City. The committee reviewed the overall operating budget of $3.9 billion, a 6.9% increase, and a capital budget exceeding $1 billion, up 14.9%, highlighting significant investments in public infrastructure, including $35 million for the replacement of the Northeast Police District Station and $12.7 million for solid waste facilities. The budget presentation detailed revenue sources, expenditure summaries, and targeted investments in core city services, youth programs, and economic development. The committee also discussed strategies for managing surplus city properties, including schools, with plans to issue RFPs for redevelopment to stimulate private investment. Additionally, the Baltimore City Public Schools presented their $1.95 billion budget emphasizing sustainability and continued investments in pre-K and multilingual learner programs. The Department of Planning provided an overview of the capital budget process and highlighted major capital projects. Several motions related to budget approvals passed, and the meeting concluded with plans for further hearings and public comment opportunities on related budget bills.